I am looking for new bikes for me and the wife. I was originally planning on getting 2 Cervelo P2’s, but with the recent price drop I’m strongly considering getting the Slice 105.
I found a couple new 2015 models that are being sold for $1899 (maybe I could cut a deal for less since I’m getting 2). By saving $2,000 I could get new cockpits, some ultegra parts and still come out ahead of the price of the P2.
Both bikes seem to fit us well and we’re putting ENVE cockpits on both bikes so we have a lot of adjustability.
I can’t find much aero data on the slice, but we’re back of the packers that just do half and full distance races for fun. I’ve ridden each on a trainer and I didn’t notice one being less stiff than the other, but I know a trainer ride is no substitute for outside. Any good reason I should NOT get the Slice!!??
were you going to put those cockpits on the P2 as well?
Yes, and I was going to swap ultegra front/rear derailleurs whether it’s a p2 or slice.
I have no experience with either, but then I would go with whoever will give you the best deal if you both can fit well on both bikes without a lot of added risers or spacers to make it work. From my understanding, they are both great bikes, but that being said I would find the bike that fit each of you with the least amount of adjustments needed (with room to make some as your fitness changes), might be the same make for both, may not, but if you could find a shop that sells what you both need you might be able to work a good deal.
Anyway, for a lot of us, we really don’t care about having the absolute fastest bike available. It makes zero difference to me, and people like me, if I have a 2:45 bike split or a 2:42 in a 70.3 (if I ever do one again). The cannondale is a nice bike at a decent price.
Anyway, for a lot of us, we really don’t care about having the absolute fastest bike available. It makes zero difference to me, and people like me, if I have a 2:45 bike split or a 2:42 in a 70.3 (if I ever do one again). The cannondale is a nice bike at a decent price.
I’d agree. After owning a SC and looking at other superbikes, I’d get the Slice at the price points they are now. Easy cockpits to work on, and standard brakes. Maybe you give up a few seconds, but it beats the headaches of working on the top end bikes.
were you going to put those cockpits on the P2 as well?
Yes, and I was going to swap ultegra front/rear derailleurs whether it’s a p2 or slice.
Unless you just want to do it for cosmetic reasons. I wouldn’t bother with the swap to ultegra. You’ll never notice the difference in performance. I would either upgrade to Di2 / SRAM eTap or not bother at all.
were you going to put those cockpits on the P2 as well?
Yes, and I was going to swap ultegra front/rear derailleurs whether it’s a p2 or slice.
Unless you just want to do it for cosmetic reasons. I wouldn’t bother with the swap to ultegra. You’ll never notice the difference in performance. I would either upgrade to Di2 / SRAM eTap or not bother at all.
Are you really trying to say there is no performance difference between 105 and Ultegra? As an owner of both I can say that is completely false. I very much prefer my Ultegra over my 105.
If they seat clamp system is the same as a couple years ago it’s difficult to fine tune tilt. Not THE reason to shy away but something to consider if you are sensitive to tilt.
were you going to put those cockpits on the P2 as well?
Yes, and I was going to swap ultegra front/rear derailleurs whether it’s a p2 or slice.
Unless you just want to do it for cosmetic reasons. I wouldn’t bother with the swap to ultegra. You’ll never notice the difference in performance. I would either upgrade to Di2 / SRAM eTap or not bother at all.
Exactly, either Ultegra or 105 you want to upgrade the derailleur pulley to a pulley with ball bearings (like Dura Ace), that is a decent performance improvement for very little money (unless shimano has upgraded 105 with ball bearings). Paying to go from 105 to Ultegra derailleurs just seems like a waste of money for no real gain, especially on a tri bike. The current gens of 105 have been very very good, partly due to sram rival making 105 looks pretty bad when it came out.
While aero and performance benefits will be debated at nauseum on this forum, one of the more important questions is: will you love it? Will you be loving that Cannondale in a couple years, or will you wishing that you just spent that extra cash for the shinier Cervelo.
Sometimes thinking with your heart is better than thinking with your brain. Buying the cheaper option today will not be cheaper if in a couple years you have a massive desire to upgrade, and then do so.
While aero and performance benefits will be debated at nauseum on this forum, one of the more important questions is: will you love it? Will you be loving that Cannondale in a couple years, or will you wishing that you just spent that extra cash for the shinier Cervelo.
Sometimes thinking with your heart is better than thinking with your brain. Buying the cheaper option today will not be cheaper if in a couple years you have a massive desire to upgrade, and then do so.
Good point, however with our wedding this year and potentially buying a house I’d rather have the 2k in my bank than a shiny cervelo.
Currently, my only hang up is the lack of rivets on the top tube but for $1k I’ll gladly Velcro a bag to the top tube! I’ve read on ST that the slice is not very aero but haven’t seen hard data on this. Like I said in the OP, I’m a middle/back of the pack cyclist so I don’t know how much a “more aero” frame will help me. If it’s only saving me a few min over 112 miles that doesn’t seem with $1k per bike either.
Cannondale has lifetime frame warranty. Anyone know if they are good about standing behind their products? I have heard great things about Cervelos warranty and service.
were you going to put those cockpits on the P2 as well?
Yes, and I was going to swap ultegra front/rear derailleurs whether it’s a p2 or slice.
Unless you just want to do it for cosmetic reasons. I wouldn’t bother with the swap to ultegra. You’ll never notice the difference in performance. I would either upgrade to Di2 / SRAM eTap or not bother at all.
I would love to go with did or etap but those are $1000-$1500 upgrades whereas ultegra parts can be had for a around $200 for both bikes!
Wow, talk about timing! Dan’s recent article got me thinking about a new bike and it turns out I can get a solid deal on the Slice 105 ($1700) and the di2 Ultegra ($2800). I hadn’t considered a new bike and my teammates are singing the praises of electronic shifting. I can’t help but look at the 105 plus a set of Flo race wheels for less than the di2, even if the cool factor is greater with the electronic shifting. Another concern is my stages power meter (SRAM force). I can make it work on the 105 slice but would end up buying a new power meter as I’m not sure a force crankset would work with di2, and even if it did it would look ridiculous.
In regards to it being slow. I’ve spent the last day reading many reviews and Cannondale flat out says it’s not the fastest in the wind tunnel, but it’s supposed to be fast enough in the real world and comfortable which supposedly translates to a faster run.
The biggest drawback I’ve read is that the cockpit doesn’t seem to be very adjustable. That’s not a problem for you from the sounds of it but could be a big issue with me (unless you wanna hook a brother up with your discount! Haha). I went into my local shop and they threw the Slice fit coordinates onto a guru machine and it felt pretty good, but it wasn’t exact and wasn’t a long ride so I can’t say for sure.
Edit to add that I forgot to mention I can also get a close out Felt B16 for around $1200. I was pretty excited about that until teammates told me to go with the current model slice for the extra $500 b/c it’s 11 speed.