Cervelo P3 ride quality?

What will you be using the bike for? Racing?

I assume that because it's used, you're attracted to the bike's low price.

I have a Cervelo Superprodigy (steel, with a carbon fork), and from all the stuff i read on Cervelos when I researched the purchase of my bike, I just can't imagine them building a bike that's "harsh".

I assume you know that the P3 is a time-trial bike, and therefore, as with most time-trial bikes, it has a slightly longer wheelbase (about 3cm longer for the 58cm), which adds comfort and stability.

My next race is Ironman Idaho so the bike portion is 180 km; I also compete in half ironmans- 90 km and Olimpic distance- 40 km. They are all do drafting races. I like to run hard so comfort is important.

Dave

For Tri bike comfort, read this: http://www.cycotec.com/

gclark8 said:

For Tri bike comfort, read this: http://www.cycotec.com/

Any bit in particular?

All I would add is that Cervelo have developed a great reputation in a relatively short period of time, and they were specialising in tri bikes way before they were making road bikes.

i can't imagine that they would make a [censored] bike.

Can you test ride it, or is it on Ebay?

Yes, I can test ride it as It is in Vancouver; I live on Vancouver Island so a day and $100.00 in ferry rides is probably a good investment. I'm not sure I will be able to tell the difference though as I have only ever ridden one bike over the last 20 years.

Dave

There's a few reviews on Road Bike Review:

http://www.roadbikereview.com/2002%20Triathlon%20Bike/Cervelo/PRD_101260_4228crx.aspx

http://www.roadbikereview.com/2003%20Triathlon%20Bike/Cervelo/PRD_143317_4347crx.aspx

http://www.roadbikereview.com/Triathlon%20Bike/Cervelo/PRD_29405_2517crx.aspx

You have to scroll down a bit to get to the reviews, and, as you might expect, there's some conflicting opinions: 🙂

"I purchased the Cervelo P3 six months ago after test riding the
Kestrel KM 40 and several other premium tri-bikes. I liked the P3
because it is fast, handles like a road bike, and it is quite comfortable
for a aluminum bike."

"The only explanation is that its extremely comfortable, and amazingly fast."

"I would buy another one. Don't plan on a comfortable ride, though. This bike is built for speed. Rides over 75 miles hurt with the forward geometry and stiffness of this frame"

My reason for the http://www.cycotec.com/ link was to draw attention to the comfort question.

I am over 55 and training for short course Tri, I use a bike with a suspension seat post and other mods to give me a comfort lever that allows someone my age to enjoy cyling.

Maybe the Cervelo will be ok as is, but if a bit stif, consider a quality suspension seat post and gel grips on the bars.

George,

Please tell me more about a suspension seatpost, I always thought they were for off-road. In fact I like very firm saddles because I don't like the bounce from a soft saddle. If a suspension seatpost doesn't bounce I would love to tri (pun) one.

Dave

I have the Rockshox Road post on the Felt, most of my over 50s friends have Suspension posts, Giant, Specialised, there is a Felt one on the way for me this week.

When you see the LBS ask about one, the Rockshox, Specialised and USE-RX have a Zero offset head, better for tri geometry. The "spring" tension is adjustable to suit your weight and seat type, I use a Sell Italia Prolink Gelflow on my Felt and some days train for 4+ hours.