This is my first post on this site as I am really getting into my tri-training. I have a road bike and I plan to use it for some upcoming Olympic Triathlons. However I am intrigued with the idea of purchasing and having a dedicated tri-bike for some half ironmans that I also want to complete. I was at a local bike shop which sold mainly Cervelo bikes. Their P2’s and up are awesome looking bikes but just a bit expensive for me. They had a closeout on the old Cervelo P1 (aluminum bike) for $1,000. I think it is a good deal in that I am getting the best brand in tri-bikes and I also am not sinking in 3-5 thousand dollars.
What do you guys think - should I purchase this bike and if I really get into it I can put my additional funds toward really nice tires? Or do you recommend waiting and buying an all carbon bike?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!!!
This is an excellent bike and an excellent price (assuming it still has the correct components on it). I bought this bike two years ago new for $1300 and it has served me well through two seasons so far. I’ve completed 12 triathlons on it, two of which were 70.3’s. I averaged 22.5mph at Augusta this year. As easy as it is to get suckered in to spending a fortune on a bike, it really is more about the engine. You won’t be disappointed with this bike. Read this review:
If you can be fit properly for it, sounds good to me. The fit is – by far – the most important thing. You need a bike on which you stay aero comfortably for some time. If you want to buy it, pay the extra for a fit.
Also, a suggestion: You might want to change the title of your post – like maybe add the words “Should I buy it?”. You’ll probably get more responses that way. Because when I saw your post, the first thing I thought was that it was someone trying to sell a bike here, which is against the forum policy. I almost didn’t click on it.
$1000 for a new, warrantied, Cervelo P1? That’s a great deal! What components does it have? As others have stated you can get a Felt S32 for $1200 but it’s just barely built with Shimano 105. IIRC the P1 was Ultegra.
$1000 for a new, warrantied, Cervelo P1? That’s a great deal! What components does it have? As others have stated you can get a Felt S32 for $1200 but it’s just barely built with Shimano 105. IIRC the P1 was Ultegra.
The P1 should have Ultegra derailleurs, cassette, and chain, Dura Ace shifters, and FSA Gossamer compact cranks.
$1000 for a new, warrantied, Cervelo P1? That’s a great deal! What components does it have? As others have stated you can get a Felt S32 for $1200 but it’s just barely built with Shimano 105. IIRC the P1 was Ultegra.
The P1 should have Ultegra derailleurs, cassette, and chain, Dura Ace shifters, and FSA Gossamer compact cranks.
I thought so but wasn’t sure. That is a far better deal than an S32 for $1200! Especially if it is new from the LBS and comes with the Cervelo warranty!
I just got into tris this year as well and I paid $800 for a Cervelo P1 that was used for one year. It is Ultega as well and came with a bike computer too. Does yours come with pedals? Maybe you can see if they will throw them in if not.
However I’ve been very happy with mine, it’s been a pretty solid bike so far!
I bought this bike for my teenage son, since he outgrew his previous bike (his Mom’s road bike with short clip-ons). It is a great bike, and you’ll really like it if it fits you. The only thing I changed was to put on an Ultegra crank with shorter crankarms, and he gets to use my older race wheels for races. Otherwise, he rides it stock and, although he lusts after the new superbikes, is very comfortable on it and has a significantly better position than his road bike.
If I were looking for my first tri-bike, I’d get this in a heartbeat.
I’m going to have to go against the grain here and say no.
I’d recommend getting something used off of classifieds like a P2 or P3 aluminum. The P1 is a great bike for the money, but it is significantly slower than the modern options (1.5s/km slower than the P2 and 2.5s/km slower than the NP3).
But for someone just getting into the sport, a minute over an Olympic isn’t that big of a deal. Best thing about the P1 is that in a couple years, it’ll still be worth 700-1000, and you can use that to offset the cost of an upgrade if you see the need. I’ve been on a predecessor for 6 years now and still haven’t found a reason to go with something else.
I and several other forums members have ridden the P1 to fast splits. I regret selling my frame for sure but I do love the P3 that replaced it. If the bike fits then 1k for a complete bike is a steal. Spend the remainder on getting a good bike fit , aero helmet, flo wheels, fast tires + tubes, aero tri clothing.