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Can I ask why it is a beautiful frame or the most well finished frame I've seen?
Serious now - I think people are just seeing the Cervelo decals and getting excited. Take those off and it look like any other mass produced carbon frame like planet x sell. Carbon frames look like carbon frames....
Can I ask why it is a beautiful frame or the most well finished frame I've seen?
Because it costs about 3 and a half grand.
Can't say I'm hugely experienced in road riding, having owned the grand total of one bike for 1300 miles.... but I have carbon 3T ergo bars, lovely.
I also have a set of cosmic carbones, weight definitely isn't everything - just picked up a cheaper and lighter set of pro-lite braccianos for winter use, they are 300g lighter than the cosmics but I am actually slightly slower on them according to the garmin. They are noticably more comfortable than the cosmics, much more comfortable.
ooh can I share 🙂
Just got a new road bike too.
Lots of deliberation about wheels so went for the Fulcrum 1's in the end.
Will report back if any issues
Spesh Roubaix (as I'm old and need the comfort - which I must say it is. 100 mile ride and not as tired as 50 on my old bike)
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8114061164_df3cf4e54f.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jake474/8114061164/ ]S-Works Roubaix[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jake474/ ]jake474[/url], on Flickr
Please note, valves and logos now sorted
I've found cervelo's to be some of the worst finished frames (given the price) I've come across.Most of the ones I've built have had some sort of minor paint/finish defect.
I'd budget for a new mech hanger as the stock ones are pish (importer recommends changing them straight away for campg 11 speed use).
I'm not sure what cervelo's new owners are up to exactly as they have dumped a LOT of stock onto the market at massive discount.Certainly does'nt help the brands exclusive/prestige image.
I do like them (NOT S5's though) btw.
Nice bike mr.
I think people are just seeing the Cervelo decals and getting excited. Take those off and it look like any other mass produced carbon frame like planet x sell. Carbon frames look like carbon frames....
That's the problem with carbon tho innit. I used to work at Madison so I know Cervelos fairly well. Talk to Gerard Vroomen for a while and have a close look at a frame, then ride one, and you see why they are so highly regarded. You don't always see or hear of the real design thinking in a bike. It's not always there at all ) but Cervelo have more than most and aren't ones for styling and BS. That doesn't mean they're 'better' for everyone, but they are very well thought-out bikes that ride very well.
Edit - or were, based on the post above !! Mind you I also saw some finishing howlers from another very high-end road / carbon brand, so maybe production qc doesn't always match design intent.
Can I ask why it is a beautiful frame or the most well finished frame I've seen?
The paint finish is flawless and the proportions - tube diameters, profiles etc - are, in my opinion, beautiful. It has that undefinable simplicity and brevity of detail that you only seem to find on perfectly designed and engineered objects. Nothing superfluace, no frills, fuss or excess styling.
It's as stiff as any frame I've ridden and yet is implausibly light. I just think it screams class, it doesn't have the cobra head or swooping tubes of an SL4, or the massively oversized downtube of an Evo, or the angles and edges of a Madone. Just clean lines, pencil-thin seat stays, and a perfect silhouette. I love it!
This is quite interesting reading (Giant TCR Advanced Sl Isp owner 
)
[url= http://www.winwithgiant.com/WinWithGiant%E2%80%93RoadFrameTestData%E2%80%93FINAL.pdf ]Frame Testing[/url]
Nice data, but essentially, there is no difference between the top pro-level carbon frames from Giant, Specialized, Cannondale and Cervelo. So choose based on geometry and colour.
That and the ALUXX alloy frame from Giant is a very good frame. My local dealer has the 9K carbon bling cannondale, and was surprised that the CAAD10 felt pretty much the same.
That won't load on my iPad, what does it say rorschach?
That mt TCR is the awesomest eva!!! 😆 (giant test data!!)
Basically that there's not that much between an Evo,R5 and SL4 (but it is a bit of a porker) in weight,torsional stiffness and BB stiffness......and that Madones are rubbish.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/s618QvFK0eE
That your R5 has very good pedalling stiffness, (bottom bracket), and average steering stiffness, whilst Giant's don't flex in the slightest.
Mine makes my feet hurt 😯 (but not my bum 😯 )
Can I ask why it is a beautiful frame or the most well finished frame I've seen?
It is if you have never laid eyes on a Baum, Cyfac, Parlee, Pegoretti, I.F. Serotta etc.
My other bike is a TCR C3, so I can agree that it's a lovely bike. Weighs about twice as much as the Cervélo though, and it's nowhere near as stiff laterally...
I've got one of those them there R5 VWDs under the bed waiting to be built up.
Probably go with new Sram Red. Already got Ergosum Ltd bars, Tune clinchers and Hed Stinger 4 tubs to go on it off the old bike. Should be lovely, and light.
56cm frame weighed 760g!
Shibboleth, are you going with the Rotor cranks or DA and adapter?
I'm going with the Dura Ace. I like it as a piece of engineering and the option to have 52/36 chain rings appeals as I hate true compacts and I want this to be a "do it all" bike.
Think I'm gonna go for the rotundo team bars and matching stem.
Beautiful frame, look forward to seeing the finished build.
The paint finish is flawless and the proportions - tube diameters, profiles etc - are, in my opinion, beautiful. It has that undefinable simplicity and brevity of detail that you only seem to find on perfectly designed and engineered objects. Nothing superfluace, no frills, fuss or excess styling.
^^ This. Road frames should be sleek, minimalist and simple. Anything with garish paint jobs and bendy tubes (yes Pinarello, I do mean your abominations) should be outlawed.
You can't really mention Parlee in the same thread as Cervelo.
I'm sorry but you can't.
Go stand in the corner you naughty Bouy.
Can I ask why it is a beautiful frame or the most well finished frame I've seen?It is if you have never laid eyes on a Baum, Cyfac, Pegoretti, I.F. Serotta etc.
This is what I mean really, not saying a Cervelo is bad in any way or that it doesn't ride well. That is not the point, but beautiful. No, not in my opinion, just because it looks to much like every other unbranded carbon frame I've ever seen.
There you go Rik, a typical unbranded carbon frame...
[img] 
[/img]
And a Cervélo R5...
[img] 
[/img]
(if you're still having trouble deciding which one is more beautiful, perhaps refer to my earlier post to see what I look for in bicycle design and see if that helps...) 😉
I'm a Giant man through and through, when I needed a new frame earlier this year I came close to buying a Cervelo, but I couldn't detect any difference so stuck with the Giant.
Cervelo then Giant are by far the most well raced frames in this area. Proof in the pudding etc.
There's a nice de stickered Cervelo on our circuit, even the DA carbons have had the stealth treatment.
How has it been destickered? Mine is painted/lacquered - is it just a raw carbon frame?
if I had the money I would go for a Colnago, probably a C59.
The Europcar C59s had me drooling at the Tour de Luxembourg this year. I must have spent 15 minutes on 3 consecutive days just staring at them.
[img] 
[/img]
I was all geared up to buy one as a long term build project but the 40% off sale of a carbon cannondale synapse got my attention. I still quite fancy one but can't justify another bike at all 🙂
Always loved Colnagos, they were my absolute dream bike as a teenager in the late 80s/early 90s.
Was looking at the whole range at NEC Bike Show and those lugs put me off - can't help thinking it's a bit of a retro detail for detail's sake. The version in Italia colours is beautiful...
Aren't they knocking those cervelos out at half price on the Madison site?
Had a couple of TCR Advanced SL's both were fantastic bikes. Certainly the best offering ive tried from any of the mainstreamers and very underrated.
Currently running a 695SR which is loooovely 🙂
Aren't they knocking those cervelos out at half price on the Madison site?
Yes, hence why I chose the R5 over the SL4... We covered this earlier in the thread... You'd know this if you'd read it instead of just trying to make unkind comments about someones new bike. 🙄
How very dare you!. I have made no unkind comments.
Alerting others to your doe-eyed opinions and pointing out half price goods to purchase is being more than benevolent
pointing out half price goods to purchase is being more than benevolent
Yeah yeah yeah, whatevurrrrrrr... You were hoping I'd spent £3.5k on it so you could laugh at me 😉
Why did you not get a Parlee?!
Because I prefer Cervélo.
That's just wrong
I'm only pulling your leg.
Why? I'd rather have a bike ridden by the cycling stars that I've supported for years rather than some nichey, low volume cottage industry bike that carries little brand caché other than amongst elitist, esoteric bike bores. 😉
Shameless plug. 😉
While there are a few road types on here, this frame is going up for sale as of tomorrow. Lynskey cooper M/L.
[img][url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6924115791_1ec3d6aa5b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikes_and_stuff/6924115791/ ]IMAG0213[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/bikes_and_stuff/ ]bmclynskey1[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Baum, Cyfac, Parlee, Pegoretti, I.F. Serotta
Meh. Cafe bikes, not race bikes...
Spot on Crikey!
FWIW, i'd buy a Ritte if i had the money. One of these or the full carbon Bosberg
[img][url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6681493643_74da652945.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikes_and_stuff/6681493643/ ]Muur-1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/bikes_and_stuff/ ]bmclynskey1[/url], on Flickr[/img]
unfortunately i haven't got the money, so i'm selling the Lynskey to help pay for a new kitchen and am replacing it for a second hand Condor squadra. Photos by the weekend.
Don't understand the bashing of Shibboleth for buying a Cervelo R5 - looks a great bike and I bet it's superb to ride. Each to his own eh? 🙂
Pure envy I think hitman 😉
I don't think anyone is slating Shibboleth for his choice in bike, more his 'my bike is the best, everything else is rubbish' attitude.
Baum, Cyfac, Parlee, Pegoretti, I.F. SerottaMeh. Cafe bikes, not race bikes...
Cyfac used to make a lot of the pro's bikes back in the 80's/90's so they certainly have the pedigree.
Possibly one of the nicest looking bikes ever
[img] 
[/img]
Or something a bit more subtle
[img] 
?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1321994069390[/img]
Baum, Cyfac, Parlee, Pegoretti, I.F. SerottaMeh. Cafe bikes, not race bikes...
People race them, probably the same percentage of sales as trek/ giant etc if not more. (and assuming the O.P. is going to race the bike)
FWIW, i'd buy a Ritte if i had the money. One of these or the full carbon Bosberg
You mean a repainted pedalforce frame with a massive mark-up? 🙄
[i]People race them[/i]
You can show me this?
I'm not being arsey, but I suspect that far more bog standard bikes are raced. I certainly wouldn't race something that cost more than my car; the whole point of a race bike is that it is a tool to do a job, and anyone who has raced for any length of time will tell you that the hammer that proper race bikes get makes the use of an expensive race bike not worth the bother.
I'd just go to Brian Rourke and have done, I'm not convince Baum, IF etc do anything better than Rourkey apart from fancy paint jobs and slick websites for Rapha fanboys.
I'm liking the Cervelo, very nice indeed. Am I allowed to show off my new Devinci Leo SLK, that I've had for 2 weeks and absolutely love, on this thread? Ah well, here it is...
[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8113411651_428746cb82.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigdaddy1974/8113411651/ ]New Devinci Leo SL 20 10 12 (2)[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/bigdaddy1974/ ]Bigdaddy 1974[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Isn't it more to do with sizing, offering 20-odd sizes w/o mold costs, still has good weight-stiffness etc, that's their take on it I'm sure. Cervelo just explain why you don't need so many sizes. I'm partly convinced )Was looking at the whole (colnago) range at NEC Bike Show and those lugs put me off - can't help thinking it's a bit of a retro detail for detail's sake.
A few yrs ago there was a test vid on the cervelo site of a falling mass impact-test (higher-load CEN test style) and what looked to be a TCR Giant frame pulled in two, the Cervelo R3 took it and just bounced a bit to a stop. Not siding, just saying, tests and stats etc. I really like the Giant frames, as carbon goes ) I'd also be happier with a Rourke 953 custom tho and that would fold easier than either of them..
there are some idiots around, the R5 is widely known as an excellent frame. and at half price...come on!
flange - Member
I don't think anyone is slating Shibboleth for his choice in bike, more his 'my bike is the best, everything else is rubbish' attitude.
I think you've misread my posts. I've said that in my opinion, the R5 is the bike I find most aesthetically attractive; that the Cervélo brand's ethos, values and image appeal to me more than any other; and that it's the bike ridden by pros that I admire. I've not said anything is rubbish, just that other brands don't capture my attention in the same way that Cervélo does.
To be honest, the haters are just grist to my mill. I know they're motivated by envy which makes me even more proud of my R5. Can't wait to post pics of the full build! 🙂
BTW, that DeVinci is a very lovely looking frameset!
Oops, double post...
for fair judgement we need to see some Garmin/Strava stats 😉
Bigdaddy ,that is very nice.
Yeah, sorry for only fancying a £1400 Ritte : (
Maybe i haven't got expensive enough tastes?
Nowt wrong with that rusty. Just got back from a thoroughly enjoyable ride on a £150 Dolan...
I wouldn't dream of riding it in daylight though! 😉
Stop mentioning Parlee please.
I think the R5 would be a solid bike, one you could thrash and live with daily without the worry of build quality issues.
So long as it fits the lad like a glove and he rides it hard.. T'is all that matters.
People race themYou can show me this?
Well I can't say I want to go to the trouble of exchanging email/mobile numbers with some random on the internet then giving up a Saturday or Sunday to go to hillingdon, cyclo-park or redbridge when the person I know who races a parlee is going there. So in theory yes but I have better things to do with my rime
I know people who race on cervelos too and not just the S1
Yeah, sorry for only fancying a £1400 Ritte : (
Maybe i haven't got expensive enough tastes?
Nothing to do with expensive taste, i was commenting on the Ritte frame that is a pedalforce RS2 (same as a ribble) rolled in glitter.
Didn't Indurain ride a Pego? Boonen? I've raced one for the last 4 years,trained on it every winter, crashed it... I confess to the odd cafe stop but can't remember ever seeing another. Cervelos , BMCs, certainly 🙂
Yes indurain rode a banesto pinarello that was a tig welded pegoretti in the 1993 tour.
Not raced mine, Its not a Sunday best bike though, I ride it all year round.
i was commenting on the Ritte frame that is a pedalforce RS2
No it's not. The old Bosberg (they don't sell it anymore I believe) is now the new CG1 I think. The new full carbon offering from Ritte can't be bought anywhere else yet AFAIK. But all this info is fully available on the Ritte site, they don't shy away from telling it like it is.
Some sweet slams on this thread. Lovely.
Not looked at the Ritte site for a while.
They look a lot nicer than a ribble whatever frame they are under the gloss 🙄
Baum, Cyfac, Parlee, Pegoretti, I.F. SerottaMeh. Cafe bikes, not race bikes...
I assumed the person posting this was being sarcastic ! Cyfac have made frames ridden in the TdF and other major competitions for YEARS - mainly rebranded as something else. Also Pegoretti !! made Indurain's frames and LOADS of others'
It's a lovely looking frame - for plastic. Of course real bikes are made of metal, preferably titanium 😉
I certainly wouldn't race something that cost more than my car
Now I have the dilemma. Do I race tomorrow on 1) the lace-doily etched Ti bling machine, or 2) steal my son's Boardman Race?
[i]damo2576 - Member
Why did you not get a Parlee?!
Shibboleth - Member
Because I prefer Cervélo.[/i]
I'd like to know where you can get a parlee frame from for the £1750 the op paid for the cervelo.
Nice bike though, I'm lucky enough to have a the 'ca' version and it is truly amazing to ride.
Now I have the dilemma. Do I race tomorrow on 1) the lace-doily etched Ti bling machine, or 2) steal my son's Boardman Race?
If you have any aspirations of success, I'd leave the obsolete, twangy, noodley ti rubbish at home and ride a proper modern bike. 😉
Pebblebeach, the CA is a beautiful looking thing but I couldn't justify an additional £6250 for a slightly different bottom bracket layup and a "Made in USA sticker!" 😉
I think in terms of bang-for-my-bucks, there's nothing comes close to the R5 for £1750...
Which are now bought by people to ride to cafes on, not race...
Bikes are tools, you can spend lots on a hammer, but it still bangs nails in. Go to any race here or in northern Europe and see people racing on basic bikes; that's what the sport is about, not silly niche mongering.
nice bike(s) everyone 🙂
i will be getting my first road bike (although i did have a raleigh elan back in the early 90's) the cheapest specialized tarmac (i know your all jealous 😉 but it won't arrive until the end of december (am hoping that it will turn up sooner than that though 🙂
Confession to make, whilst the Cervélo might get raced on bigger open road races, I'll be keeping the Giant TCR C3 for crit racing.
There are too many carbon-splintering crashes in crits to risk a valuable bike - most of the lads I race with have a Planet X, Boardman, Ribble etc built up for short circuit races.
[i]I think in terms of bang-for-my-bucks, there's nothing comes close to the R5 for £1750...[/i]
I agree but some people irrationally hate cervelos.
I couldn't justify it either 🙂
I agree but some people irrationally hate cervelos.
I would probably have got less haterz if I'd posted a pic of a new Audi A6 estate in white with a carbon Santa Cruz with full XTR strapped to the roofbars. Just one of dem tings.
Interesting to note, my Park workstand and brand new Sandvik hacksaw blade seemed to provoke as much ire...
How do you come to ride the CA then? Would you care to share some thoughts on its performance? Very excited about finally getting the R5 built, just ordered 3T Ergonom Team carbon bars, 3T stem, Ultemo ZX tyres and a few other bits from Rosebikes...
I was doing some work in the states and bought and built it up when I was out there.
Couldn't be described as a bargain but a lot cheaper than UK prices.
[i]Would you care to share some thoughts on its performance?[/i]
fast, light, stiff, stunning. Best bike I've ever ridden, as you would expect really.
I've no problems with the Cervelo, or the hacksaw blade!
There is a real bike bling thing developing, which is good for the manufacturers and those who want to spend on nice things. It does all get a bit 'better golf club' though as people try to justify it...see the Cyfac claims above...
When you've ridden for a while and had your arse handed to you by people on knackered old sheds, you realise that occasionally Lance got it right; its actually not about the bike.
I don't think the op has tried to justify his choice of bike and I'm certainly not.
😆aspirations of success
That Boardman is a lovely ride, with pretty much identical geometry. Just have to pry it off him and fit some new bar tape as a bribe.
Go to any race here or in northern Europe and see people racing on basic bikes
You weren't at the NEC bike show watching the [b]juniors [/b]racing on carbon bikes with carbon wheels, I trust? Not a lot of basic bikes on show there.
I have very personal reasons for buying this bike right now. I wanted it to be something very special, but it wasn't a case of money-no-object. I had a figure in my head of around £4.5-£5 grand for the complete build.
This frameset at the price I paid has allowed me to build a bike that's far better than I would have been able to afford, AND allowed me to own the bike I would have wanted had money been no object.
This combined with those personal reasons means this will be a very special bike for me. I intend to ride it like I've no dependents, hopefully for many years to come!
It is strange how people on this forum seem to knock folk who can afford expensive things, bikes, cars, whatever.
No, I don't think he spent enough!
crikey - Member
Go to any race here or in northern Europe and see people racing on basic bikes; that's what the sport is about, not silly niche mongering.
If I were a Belgian with racing spirations and limited funds then yes it would be. As I'm neither then I'll stick with drooling over nice bikes. Bit like I'll never race GT cars at Le'Mans, doesn't stop me wanting a DBS.
It is strange how people on this forum seem to knock folk who can afford expensive things, bikes, cars, whatever.
+1
Although replace expensive with 'different', 29ers being a good example.
Sorry, I'm not coming across very clearly...
I've no problem at all, none, zero with people spending lots of money on nice bikes. It's good in that it drives the industry and allows builders to produce stuff with less thought to the price.
I was just observing that the highest priced stuff is not really being bought to race on, and equally isn't required to do so.
From a purely personal perspective I would rather have a second or third tier bike and use it and abuse it rather than a piece of artisan exotica. Each to their own...
For me its about the hammering, not the hammer..
Although replace expensive with 'different', 29ers being a good example.
Hmmm.... you see I would argue the exact opposite - there's generally lots of people knocking anything mainstream or standard on this forum, and assuming that anything unusual is automatically amazing.
I think the OP's frame looks ace. I couldn't justify spending that much on a road frame at the moment but if I could I'd be well chuffed with that. Haven't seen any of the 'saying all other bikes are rubbish' stuff he's been accused of either TBH.