Question about a Bike for TT

Any TT guys have any recommendation on a nice combo bicycle.

So far I like the Cerevlo Soloist Team.

Anyone have any other bike I may try?

Dunno where you got the frame weight from on the Cervelo... they don't disclose it (which I respect for a number of reasons).

No matter. A half-pound difference in frame weight means nothing. A semi-aero post means nothing. An aero post means pretty much nothing.

I don't know about the Trek. It sounds like it's MORE expensive than the Cervelo? Ehhhhhhccccckkk. The Cervelo is a pro-level bike, and that pretty much says it all. CSC seem to like it. :-)

I have one, and I love it. I generally prefer it to my Colnago C40HP of similar size, which was, yes, double the price.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Aztec
Dunno where you got the frame weight from on the Cervelo... they don't disclose it (which I respect for a number of reasons).

I got the weight from the Excel Sports Mail Catalog. They sell the Cervelo Frame and have the Weight of the frame and with a Easton Fork. (Which come out too 4.1 total)

I test rode the Cervelo and like it. I wanna get it on a hill and see how it does. So far it leads until I get to test ride a Madone, your right I can get the Soloist team total equip with ulteras for about $ 1900.00 @ supergo and a Trek Madone is 4499.99 from my LBS(It also has to be Ordered), Specialized S-Work at 3000+ and the Lightspeed Mira (not sure of model) I tested last nite was at 4000 +.

So far I'm think Cervelo Soloists is the way to go.

The Excel Sport online site doesn't disclose it either. The Mail Catalog does on all frame set the sell.

Excel Sports

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by jsolo15
I got the weight from the Excel Sports Mail Catalog. They sell the Cervelo Frame and have the Weight of the frame and with a Easton Fork. (Which come out too 4.1 total)

I test rode the Cervelo and like it. I wanna get it on a hill and see how it does. So far it leads until I get to test ride a Madone, your right I can get the Soloist team total equip with ulteras for about $ 1900.00 @ supergo and a Trek Madone is 4499.99 from my LBS(It also has to be Ordered), Specialized S-Work at 3000+ and the Lightspeed Mira (not sure of model) I tested last nite was at 4000 +.

So far I'm think Cervelo Soloists is the way to go.

The Excel Sport online site doesn't disclose it either. The Mail Catalog does on all frame set the sell.

Excel Sports

The soloist is hands down the best bike for the money out there. I tested it extensively before I bought my Prince, and while I decided against it, thats only temporary. I am actively seeking a nice frame right now that I can build up properly with Centaur, or Maybe even Chorus.

If I could only have one, I'd have bought it.

Although both bikes are good (at least I can say that for the soloist since I've tried one and the Madone seems to get good reviews bar price) it all depends on your type of riding you're going to do. Do you do a lot of TTs or crits or hilly riding, etc.

The cervelo soloist is first and foremost a TT/tri bike even if one can convert it as a road bike. The Madone on the other hand is first and foremost a road bike and Trek has a dedicated TT bike just like the soloist which again can be converted for road use.

The madone was the product of Lance Armstrong's request for an even lighter but equally stiffer frame than the previous one he has used, hence the light weight. On the other hand TT bikes are generally heavier specially the ones used for flattish courses. Many TT/tri pundits believe that the extra mass is good for maintaining inertia vis-a-vis a lighter bike. Of course there is a 'limit' as to how heavy a TT bike should be. That I think should be performed by the one who's going to use it.

FYI, the soloist has also very short wheelbase, effective top tube and and comes with an inverted aero post. The inverted seatpost is necessary to get a forward posture on the bike once on the tri bars (instead of having one's but-t at the saddle tip) Converting it for road you should probably change the seat post (if it cannot be inverted the other way).

Whether price is a factor or not I will go for the Madone simply because I do more road than the occassional TT. But if my riding were the other way around, the soloist gets my vote.

Perhaps a better Cervelo model dor comparison with the Madone is the model ridden by Tyler Hamilton in last year's tour. It was specifically developed for Tyler or the team. I read it should be available to the public now. They're both proper road bikes. And a better comparison for the soloist is the Trek TT bike.

dennis dee thank you for your reply.

I guess, I can best answer your question is I want to do both TT and Road Racing. On my budget (Have a family) I can buy only one good bike which I can use for both type of events.

I heard from many the Cervelo Soloist is the best fit which does both well. (I tried it last week, it was on flats and really enjoyed the ride. I want to try it on a hill to see how it feels.)

Now the Madone 5.9, since I first saw it is my dream bike. I know it would make a awesome road bike and be great on Hills. I just wonder if the Semi Aero Frame would make it a good bike for TT. (Now I haven't tested it yet. My LBS doesn't have it in my size and they only have the Lance Armstrong Limited edition for 6999.99).

The price difference between a Cervelo Soloist Team and a Trek Madone 5.9 is substantial. You could get both a decent road bike and another TT bike for about the price of the Trek alone. You did say you were on a budget.

A road bike is one thing, a TT bike is another. The Cervelo is a very good compromise between both. If you really are serious about doing both road races and TT on one bike (and I presume training as well), then consider the importance of other items which would be advantageous for these different purposes.

For example:

If I wanted just one bike for training/road race/TT at or below the cost of a Madone, I would buy the Cervelo, and use some of the remainder I'd have spent on the Madone to get a good aero road race wheelset, a rear disc wheel for TT, and perhaps other accessories to equip myself sufficiently for BOTH road and TT races.

By doing this, when it comes to crunch time, you can be doing at least as well on the roads by fitting your Cervelo with a good aero racing wheelset (e.g Corima @ 1460g) than you would with the stock semi-aero Bontrager Race X-Light (1530g) on the pricey Madone, and you'd still have the Cervelo's Velomax Circuits for training. For TT, you would be flying comfortably in a better position on the Cervelo, using your aero road racing front wheel and disc on the rear. Kind of like having your cake and eating it too for the same price, no?

So you see, it isn't just about what you spend for the bike, but it's where you stand in the end. If I were you, I'd consider the option of being better equipped for ALL tasks with the Cervelo and additional wheelsets vs. the Madone and only one set of wheels available for training/road race/TT, and nothing else.

Sorry maybe I'm a little bit late for trhis thread but check out the Kestrel Talon SL. The frame is around 2.5 lb. You may have to use a different seatpost such as the look or a BP seatpost which allows you more adjustments.
I have a Talon also, not the SL, and use it for both road and TT. Most important is whether you know your size or not but still, the Talon does have a geometry, somewhat like the Cervelo, to allow you to do both.

Ted B & Rudy

Thank you guys for your suggest and it not to late.

Ted, I didn't even thing about having two sets of wheeks for each event this is a great suggest. ( So far it has been the most comfortable ride for me.)

Rudy, I never even consider a Kestrel (Just forgot about them) I will try test riding one at my Local Supergo shop when I go in this weekend. The Talon SL looks like a great bike deal $ 2500 with ultegras because of the frame weight. ( I wonder if the guys @ supergo hate me!)

I going to take my time on this purchase. I don't wanna rush like i did when I bought my Cannondale R800. (Back then I was just looking for a good bicycle to start with)

This is what makes this forum so great , Thanks you guys.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dennis dee
Although both bikes are good (at least I can say that for the soloist since I've tried one and the Madone seems to get good reviews bar price) it all depends on your type of riding you're going to do. Do you do a lot of TTs or crits or hilly riding, etc.

The cervelo soloist is first and foremost a TT/tri bike even if one can convert it as a road bike. The Madone on the other hand is first and foremost a road bike and Trek has a dedicated TT bike just like the soloist which again can be converted for road use.

The madone was the product of Lance Armstrong's request for an even lighter but equally stiffer frame than the previous one he has used, hence the light weight. On the other hand TT bikes are generally heavier specially the ones used for flattish courses. Many TT/tri pundits believe that the extra mass is good for maintaining inertia vis-a-vis a lighter bike. Of course there is a 'limit' as to how heavy a TT bike should be. That I think should be performed by the one who's going to use it.

FYI, the soloist has also very short wheelbase, effective top tube and and comes with an inverted aero post. The inverted seatpost is necessary to get a forward posture on the bike once on the tri bars (instead of having one's but-t at the saddle tip) Converting it for road you should probably change the seat post (if it cannot be inverted the other way).

Whether price is a factor or not I will go for the Madone simply because I do more road than the occassional TT. But if my riding were the other way around, the soloist gets my vote.

Perhaps a better Cervelo model dor comparison with the Madone is the model ridden by Tyler Hamilton in last year's tour. It was specifically developed for Tyler or the team. I read it should be available to the public now. They're both proper road bikes. And a better comparison for the soloist is the Trek TT bike.

Wow, dude has most of the above exactly wrong. The Soloist has pure ROAD geometry. The seatpost head reverses (it does not invert) to make an effective steeper seat tube. The top tube is NOT short... a 56cm has a top tube LONGER than 56cm. Aero frames are heavier because of the shape of the tubing, and there is no benefit to a heavier bike (i.e., "maintaining intertia"😉! Finally, the Cervelo Team IS the frame that Hamilton & Co rode. It has been available, and I HAVE ONE. That was the worst post I've read in ages...

BTW, I doubt the weight listed. Cervelo won't publish it, and I doubt they allow Excel to do so. They won't even aswer the question if you ask them because they view it as silly, given the differences among top frames are meaningless.

The other post above re: using the extra dosh for wheels is brilliant, and clearly the right answer. For the cost of the Trek, which is not going to be any faster in a TT, you could get a Soloist frame, load it w/ Campy Chorus and good training/decent road racing wheels, and then a great set of aero wheels for TT.

Or for much less you can have an all carbon bike at 2.5 lbs Talon with a nice set of wheels and some dough left over for beer 🙂

Mmmmmmmm, I dunno. The Talon doesn't double as a road and TT bike. I checked it out once, and was able to squish the top tube between my fingers! Seems a tad delicate to me.

Nice looking bike, and a good price, just not what the original poster was asking. Well, unless he's somehow able to fit on the bike in both aero and road positions....

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Aztec
Mmmmmmmm, I dunno. The Talon doesn't double as a road and TT bike. I checked it out once, and was able to squish the top tube between my fingers! Seems a tad delicate to me.

Nice looking bike, and a good price, just not what the original poster was asking. Well, unless he's somehow able to fit on the bike in both aero and road positions....

I don't care to come into a forum to argue with people about who's right or wrong or who has the bigger d***.

The Talon was billed as a dual bike, of course, provided that the sizes that they have will fit you. Just like the GIANT TCR...they come in S,M,L,XL sizes but that does NOT mean it'll fit you.

Or you can call www.all3sports.com and ask them to test ride one then they'll ask you for which set up you want, road or TT.

If you go to Kestrel website you'll see that the Talon is listed under both road and TT. Of course being a betweener, you may not get the TRUE exact geometry of a TT or a road bike.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Aztec
Wow, dude has most of the above exactly wrong. The Soloist has pure ROAD geometry. The seatpost head reverses (it does not invert) to make an effective steeper seat tube. The top tube is NOT short... a 56cm has a top tube LONGER than 56cm. Aero frames are heavier because of the shape of the tubing, and there is no benefit to a heavier bike (i.e., "maintaining intertia"😉! Finally, the Cervelo Team IS the frame that Hamilton & Co rode. It has been available, and I HAVE ONE. That was the worst post I've read in ages...

I think you're the one who has it wrong. The Bike Cervelo had specifically designed for Tyler & CSC is known as the R2.5. According to Cycling Weekly, this bike was still on exhibit earlier this month but is slated to be available to the public anytime now. What you have is probably the generic (for lack of a better term) the team roade initially.

The soloist is meant as a TT bike as articulated by Cervelo founders Phil White & Gerard Vroomen in a magazine article. Main features are short effective top tube (53) and wheelbase (97) for the small frame, again mentioned in the article. Yes the seatpost reverses (thats what i meant) by releasing an allen key at back end of the aerofoil shaped seat extension cum post.

White & Vroomen come from unconventional bike background - one from human powered vehicles. Their fascination is aerodynamics and the soloist is a by-product of this.

The road bike in Cervelo's line up is known as ONE.

Cervelo also has another TT bike used by CSC this year known as the P3. The main feature of this bike is the curved aero seat tube which serve as an airfoil for the rear wheel.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Aztec


BTW, I doubt the weight listed. Cervelo won't publish it, and I doubt they allow Excel to do so. They won't even aswer the question if you ask them because they view it as silly, given the differences among top frames are meaningless.

Maybe you ought to get an Excel catalogue and see for yourslf. Frame is listed as 3.2 pounds and frame/fork 4.1. Excel can weight the stuff and print anything they want.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Aztec
Wow, dude has most of the above exactly wrong. The Soloist has pure ROAD geometry. The seatpost head reverses (it does not invert) to make an effective steeper seat tube. The top tube is NOT short... a 56cm has a top tube LONGER than 56cm. Aero frames are heavier because of the shape of the tubing, and there is no benefit to a heavier bike (i.e., "maintaining intertia"😉! Finally, the Cervelo Team IS the frame that Hamilton & Co rode. It has been available, and I HAVE ONE. That was the worst post I've read in ages...

HaHaHa LOL...Yep. 😄

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
HaHaHa LOL...Yep. 😄

This pic should wipe the grin off ur face.

The bike Tyler rode is the prototype of the full-carbon Cervelo R2.5 (not the Team IS) recently shown at the London Cycle show. Till date it hasn't reached LBSs.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dennis dee
This pic should wipe the grin off ur face.

The bike Tyler rode is the prototype of the full-carbon Cervelo R2.5 (not the Team IS) recently shown at the London Cycle show. Till date it hasn't reached LBSs.

im confused, isnt this your bike for sale right here?

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=R2+5+Frame+with+Easton+EC90SL+Fork&vendorCode=CERVELO&major=1&minor=1

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fushman
im confused, isnt this your bike for sale right here?

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=R2+5+Frame+with+Easton+EC90SL+Fork&vendorCode=CERVELO&major=1&minor=1

Ask them when they introduced it. Like I said in my earlier post, it should be introduced just about now.

Here is another pic of the bike shown in Last month's London Cycle show. Same bike on exhibit at Sigma Sport and they're the distributors of Cervelos in UK. They still have not received their consignments.