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Date: 31 May 2007 17:30:00
From: Jay Beattie
Subject: Cervelo R3 Info
My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.






 
Date: 03 Jun 2007 17:22:38
From: almost_fast@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Jun 3, 11:54 am, "Carl Sundquist" <carl...@cox.net > wrote:
> <almost_f...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1180889137.564040.263440@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 1, 9:16 am, Antti Salonen <antti.salo...@helsinki.if.invalid>
> > wrote:
> > [...]
> >> The FSA seatpost that comes with is quite heavy and because
> >> of it's unusual diameter of 32.4 mm replacement options are few. Not
> >> that there's anything wrong with the FSA seatpost, but selling a
> >> 260-gram seatpost with a 840-gram frame seems somewhat unusual. The
> >> stock fork is very aero and stiff, but not particularly light as far as
> >> high-end forks go.
>
> > Agreed, even if the frame is light, if it comes with heavy fork and
> > seat post what's the point? I just saw some "fuselage" comparison
> > weights listed here:
> >http://www2.trekbikes.com/madone/technology/integration/(scroll
> > down).
>
> Speaking of integrated components, I'd like to see wired ports for cadence,
> SRM, and Powertap pickups with an exit port somewhere near the top/head tube
> joint.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

YESSS! But what standard would be adopted? Stereo jacks? I remember
custom steel frames that ran CatEye Solar wires inside, and had brazed-
on eyelets to mount the fork sensor. Those are obsolete now...



  
Date: 03 Jun 2007 21:48:55
From: Carl Sundquist
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info

<almost_fast@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1180916558.248161.218410@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> Speaking of integrated components, I'd like to see wired ports for
>> cadence,
>> SRM, and Powertap pickups with an exit port somewhere near the top/head
>> tube
>> joint.
>
> YESSS! But what standard would be adopted? Stereo jacks? I remember
> custom steel frames that ran CatEye Solar wires inside, and had brazed-
> on eyelets to mount the fork sensor. Those are obsolete now...
>

Since this would be more of a frame feature than a powermeter/computer
feature, I'd say it should be up to the frame manufacturers to get their
acts together and create a standard.



 
Date: 03 Jun 2007 11:59:59
From: Jay Beattie
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Jun 2, 8:15 pm, Camilo <campasc...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> On May 31, 4:30 pm, "Jay Beattie" <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>
> > ... I have some thoughts, but they are
> > generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>
> Jay, if your main concern is that he is spending so much money - why
> shouldn't he? He's a big boy, obviously a great cyclist, and if I
> were him, I'd buy the best bike I could afford and not think twice.

He is a big boy with late life kids that are college bound! Anyway,
and although we obviously come from the same family, I got more of the
Scottish than him -- and I got all the spending out of my system 25-30
years ago when the best bike you could buy (custom built steel) was
$1000 complete. I just can't see spending so much on a Dura Ace group,
either. Having raced on a lot of different equipment over many years,
the only difference I saw between Ultegra and Dura Ace was in the
price (and quirky stadards/incompatability of Dura Ace -- except my
'75 group, which was even compatible with NR).

Now I just buy bikes that are commensurate with my waning abilities
and needs. I stay away from bling. The side benefit is that I get
hours of enjoyment riding by poseurs in trade team outfits on really,
really expensive equipment. With that said, I did buy a fairly
expensive set of Keo pedals because I snapped the spindle on my last
pair of Looks. But I got those really cheap from ProBikeKit, which I
highly recommend. It's in England, and the shipping time is quicker
than a lot of the domestic MOS.-- Jay Beattie.




 
Date: 03 Jun 2007 09:45:37
From: almost_fast@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Jun 1, 9:16 am, Antti Salonen <antti.salo...@helsinki.if.invalid >
wrote:
[...]
> The FSA seatpost that comes with is quite heavy and because
> of it's unusual diameter of 32.4 mm replacement options are few. Not
> that there's anything wrong with the FSA seatpost, but selling a
> 260-gram seatpost with a 840-gram frame seems somewhat unusual. The
> stock fork is very aero and stiff, but not particularly light as far as
> high-end forks go.

Agreed, even if the frame is light, if it comes with heavy fork and
seat post what's the point? I just saw some "fuselage" comparison
weights listed here:
http://www2.trekbikes.com/madone/technology/integration/ (scroll
down).




  
Date: 03 Jun 2007 11:54:25
From: Carl Sundquist
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info

<almost_fast@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1180889137.564040.263440@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 1, 9:16 am, Antti Salonen <antti.salo...@helsinki.if.invalid>
> wrote:
> [...]
>> The FSA seatpost that comes with is quite heavy and because
>> of it's unusual diameter of 32.4 mm replacement options are few. Not
>> that there's anything wrong with the FSA seatpost, but selling a
>> 260-gram seatpost with a 840-gram frame seems somewhat unusual. The
>> stock fork is very aero and stiff, but not particularly light as far as
>> high-end forks go.
>
> Agreed, even if the frame is light, if it comes with heavy fork and
> seat post what's the point? I just saw some "fuselage" comparison
> weights listed here:
> http://www2.trekbikes.com/madone/technology/integration/ (scroll
> down).
>

Speaking of integrated components, I'd like to see wired ports for cadence,
SRM, and Powertap pickups with an exit port somewhere near the top/head tube
joint.



 
Date: 02 Jun 2007 20:15:51
From: Camilo
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On May 31, 4:30 pm, "Jay Beattie" <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com > wrote:
> ... I have some thoughts, but they are
> generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.

Jay, if your main concern is that he is spending so much money - why
shouldn't he? He's a big boy, obviously a great cyclist, and if I
were him, I'd buy the best bike I could afford and not think twice.




 
Date: 02 Jun 2007 18:24:24
From:
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On May 31, 8:30 pm, "Jay Beattie" <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com > wrote:
> My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
> with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
> characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
> Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
> range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
> who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
> bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
> collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
> generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.


If he is looking at carbon frames, it would be self-injustice not to
at least look at Time and Look frames. Those frenchies know how to
make carbon frames, as well as, if not better than, anyone. Look at
Boonen (at least last year) and Hushovd - they are not featherweights.



  
Date: 03 Jun 2007 04:46:13
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
In article <1180833864.336812.66370@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com >,
lightech7@gmail.com wrote:

> On May 31, 8:30 pm, "Jay Beattie" <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
> > My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
> > with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
> > characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
> > Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
> > range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
> > who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
> > bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
> > collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
> > generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>
>
> If he is looking at carbon frames, it would be self-injustice not to
> at least look at Time and Look frames. Those frenchies know how to
> make carbon frames, as well as, if not better than, anyone. Look at
> Boonen (at least last year) and Hushovd - they are not featherweights.

I'm sure Time and Look both build wonderful frames, but it must be
pointed out that Boonen and Hushovd have the option of changing frames
whenever necessary, and definitely no less often than annually.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos


   
Date: 04 Jun 2007 17:03:49
From: Claus Assmann
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
Ryan Cousineau wrote:

> I'm sure Time and Look both build wonderful frames, but it must be
> pointed out that Boonen and Hushovd have the option of changing frames
> whenever necessary, and definitely no less often than annually.

Well, Time gives a "lifetime warranty" on their frames.

That's just one of the reasons I bought one.



   
Date: 02 Jun 2007 21:52:56
From: jim beam
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
Ryan Cousineau wrote:
> In article <1180833864.336812.66370@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
> lightech7@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> On May 31, 8:30 pm, "Jay Beattie" <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>>> My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
>>> with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
>>> characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
>>> Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
>>> range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
>>> who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
>>> bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
>>> collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
>>> generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>>
>> If he is looking at carbon frames, it would be self-injustice not to
>> at least look at Time and Look frames. Those frenchies know how to
>> make carbon frames, as well as, if not better than, anyone. Look at
>> Boonen (at least last year) and Hushovd - they are not featherweights.
>
> I'm sure Time and Look both build wonderful frames, but it must be
> pointed out that Boonen and Hushovd have the option of changing frames
> whenever necessary, and definitely no less often than annually.
>
fatigue lives for carbon composites are usually /much/ superior to
metals. on that basis, they're not changing them for fear of failure as
may be the case with an ultra-light frames of other materials.


    
Date: 03 Jun 2007 18:16:08
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
In article <oNGdnS_Z_bC11P_bnZ2dnUVZ_h3inZ2d@speakeasy.net >,
jim beam <spamvortex@bad.example.net > wrote:

> Ryan Cousineau wrote:
> > In article <1180833864.336812.66370@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
> > lightech7@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >> On May 31, 8:30 pm, "Jay Beattie" <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
> >>> My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
> >>> with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
> >>> characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
> >>> Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
> >>> range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road
> >>> rider
> >>> who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
> >>> bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
> >>> collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they
> >>> are
> >>> generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay
> >>> Beattie.
> >>
> >> If he is looking at carbon frames, it would be self-injustice not to
> >> at least look at Time and Look frames. Those frenchies know how to
> >> make carbon frames, as well as, if not better than, anyone. Look at
> >> Boonen (at least last year) and Hushovd - they are not featherweights.
> >
> > I'm sure Time and Look both build wonderful frames, but it must be
> > pointed out that Boonen and Hushovd have the option of changing frames
> > whenever necessary, and definitely no less often than annually.
> >
> fatigue lives for carbon composites are usually /much/ superior to
> metals. on that basis, they're not changing them for fear of failure as
> may be the case with an ultra-light frames of other materials.

Fair enough, fair enough. My point wasn't that the Time and Look frames
were in any way problematic for normal riders (or even for Boonen and
Hushovd), but rather that one could not take much of an endorsement from
the fact that any pro uses a particular frame.

That goes for CSC as well, who are in fact Cervélo-sponsored.

Now, if you see a team cheating on its sponsors, I think that does stand
out as interesting info...

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos


 
Date: 01 Jun 2007 16:21:47
From: Victor Kan
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Jun 1, 8:48 am, Qui si parla Campagnolo <p...@vecchios.com > wrote:
> 'Must'?? Didn't Cervelo have a recall? On a carbon frame, w/o a weight
> limit?

Yes, on the predecessor of the R3:

http://www.cervelo.com/R25recall/

They have an FAQ on weight limits, but there doesn't seem to be a link
to it, you may have to search their knowledge base for their stand on
weight limits.

On Jun 1, 11:53 am, R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@ > wrote:
> There is no product that is immune to a recall. Well, maybe a coffee
> table.

I'm not aware of any coffee table ever being recalled, but there are
plenty of ways to design/build a coffee table badly, e.g. the thing
that holds down the table top could be inadequate such that having a
heavy adult plop down on the edge of one end with a long overhang that
causes the table top to flip up and hit you on the back of the head
(and of course no one would ever suggest wearing a helmet while
sitting on a coffee table).




  
Date: 01 Jun 2007 14:26:28
From: Michael Press
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
In article
<1180714907.688486.58950@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com >,
Victor Kan <victor.kan@gmail.com > wrote:

> On Jun 1, 8:48 am, Qui si parla Campagnolo <p...@vecchios.com> wrote:
> > 'Must'?? Didn't Cervelo have a recall? On a carbon frame, w/o a weight
> > limit?
>
> Yes, on the predecessor of the R3:
>
> http://www.cervelo.com/R25recall/
>
> They have an FAQ on weight limits, but there doesn't seem to be a link
> to it, you may have to search their knowledge base for their stand on
> weight limits.
>
> On Jun 1, 11:53 am, R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@> wrote:
> > There is no product that is immune to a recall. Well, maybe a coffee
> > table.
>
> I'm not aware of any coffee table ever being recalled, but there are
> plenty of ways to design/build a coffee table badly, e.g. the thing
> that holds down the table top could be inadequate such that having a
> heavy adult plop down on the edge of one end with a long overhang that
> causes the table top to flip up and hit you on the back of the head
> (and of course no one would ever suggest wearing a helmet while
> sitting on a coffee table).

All coffee tables should be recalled.
Their sole purpose is to leap out and
whang you on the shin.

--
Michael Press


  
Date: 01 Jun 2007 10:31:25
From: Jay Beattie
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info

"Victor Kan" <victor.kan@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1180714907.688486.58950@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 1, 8:48 am, Qui si parla Campagnolo <p...@vecchios.com> wrote:
>> 'Must'?? Didn't Cervelo have a recall? On a carbon frame, w/o a weight
>> limit?
>
> Yes, on the predecessor of the R3:
>
> http://www.cervelo.com/R25recall/
>
> They have an FAQ on weight limits, but there doesn't seem to be a link
> to it, you may have to search their knowledge base for their stand on
> weight limits.
>
> On Jun 1, 11:53 am, R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@> wrote:
>> There is no product that is immune to a recall. Well, maybe a coffee
>> table.
>
> I'm not aware of any coffee table ever being recalled, but there are
> plenty of ways to design/build a coffee table badly, e.g. the thing
> that holds down the table top could be inadequate such that having a
> heavy adult plop down on the edge of one end with a long overhang that
> causes the table top to flip up and hit you on the back of the head
> (and of course no one would ever suggest wearing a helmet while
> sitting on a coffee table).

How about recalled dinner tables:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05574.html Poor Ethan Allen.
The CPSC site is filled with unlikely recalled items. -- Jay Beattie.




 
Date: 01 Jun 2007 05:48:25
From: Qui si parla Campagnolo
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On May 31, 11:55 pm, R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@ > wrote:
> On Thu, 31 May 2007 17:30:00 -0700, "Jay Beattie"
>
> <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
> >My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
> >with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
> >characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
> >Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
> >range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
> >who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
> >bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
> >collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
> >generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>
> If you notice in the specs, there is no rider weight limit; it must be
> built well.

'Must'?? Didn't Cervelo have a recall? On a carbon frame, w/o a weight
limit?



  
Date: 01 Jun 2007 15:53:58
From: R Brickston
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:48:25 -0700, Qui si parla Campagnolo
<peter@vecchios.com > wrote:

>On May 31, 11:55 pm, R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@> wrote:
>> On Thu, 31 May 2007 17:30:00 -0700, "Jay Beattie"
>>
>> <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>> >My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
>> >with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
>> >characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
>> >Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
>> >range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
>> >who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
>> >bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
>> >collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
>> >generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>>
>> If you notice in the specs, there is no rider weight limit; it must be
>> built well.
>
>'Must'?? Didn't Cervelo have a recall? On a carbon frame, w/o a weight
>limit?

There is no product that is immune to a recall. Well, maybe a coffee
table.


 
Date: 01 Jun 2007 05:55:16
From: R Brickston
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Thu, 31 May 2007 17:30:00 -0700, "Jay Beattie"
<jbeattie@lindsayhart.com > wrote:

>My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
>with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
>characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
>Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
>range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
>who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
>bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
>collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
>generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>

If you notice in the specs, there is no rider weight limit; it must be
built well.


  
Date: 01 Jun 2007 06:04:17
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
In article <12dv53dh229rj2ejh4ue4k4mhlkuir47q0@4ax.com >,
R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@ > wrote:

> On Thu, 31 May 2007 17:30:00 -0700, "Jay Beattie"
> <jbeattie@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>
> >My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
> >with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
> >characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
> >Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
> >range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
> >who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
> >bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
> >collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
> >generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
> >
>
> If you notice in the specs, there is no rider weight limit; it must be
> built well.

Well, I don't think Cervelo has any weight-limit bikes, but perhaps a
better endorsement is that the R3 is both the basis for Cervelo's
cyclocross bike and the preferred ride (by sponsored team CSC) for the
Paris-Roubaix.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos


   
Date: 01 Jun 2007 15:56:20
From: R Brickston
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 06:04:17 GMT, Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca >
wrote:

>In article <12dv53dh229rj2ejh4ue4k4mhlkuir47q0@4ax.com>,
> R Brickston <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 31 May 2007 17:30:00 -0700, "Jay Beattie"
>> <jbeattie@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>>
>> >My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
>> >with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
>> >characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
>> >Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
>> >range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
>> >who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
>> >bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
>> >collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
>> >generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.
>> >
>>
>> If you notice in the specs, there is no rider weight limit; it must be
>> built well.
>
>Well, I don't think Cervelo has any weight-limit bikes, but perhaps a
>better endorsement is that the R3 is both the basis for Cervelo's
>cyclocross bike and the preferred ride (by sponsored team CSC) for the
>Paris-Roubaix.

I mention it because most carbon bikes I looked at had a limit, except
Cervelo; this was two years ago, btw.


 
Date: 01 Jun 2007 01:41:30
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
In article <465f6753$0$17197$39cecf19@news.twtelecom.net >,
"Jay Beattie" <jbeattie@lindsayhart.com > wrote:

> My brother wants to buy an expensive carbon frame and has fallen in love
> with the Cervelo R3. Anyone have an opinion about the quality or ride
> characteristics of this frame. He also wants to go Dura Ace because
> Performance has some sale going on. He is an old guy (56) in the 200lb
> range, 6'3" and very fit (state mountain bike champ) and a strong road rider
> who may start racing with the oldies. He already rides regulary with a
> bunch of road racers and does centuries, etc. It will not be a dust
> collector garage bike. Anyway, thoughts? I have some thoughts, but they are
> generally "why the hell do you want to spend so much money?" -- Jay Beattie.

Since rbt is usually trying to convince people to spend a little bit
more on a bike to get into something decent, I'd say we're going to be
little help to you.

On one hand, an R3 is an absurdly dear bicycle. On the other hand, it's
priced competitively with other top-line carbon bikes. It's also a nice
strong frame, especially considering its light weight. If he has the
money and he wants the bike, go for it!

That said, my dream bike would be the Cervelo Soloist Carbon, whose
frame is a bit heavier but more aerodynamic. The aero would only be a
slight advantage, but in virtually all races it would matter more than
the weight difference.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos


  
Date: 01 Jun 2007 14:16:09
From: Antti Salonen
Subject: Re: Cervelo R3 Info
Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca > wrote:

> On one hand, an R3 is an absurdly dear bicycle. On the other hand, it's
> priced competitively with other top-line carbon bikes. It's also a nice
> strong frame, especially considering its light weight. If he has the
> money and he wants the bike, go for it!

I got a R3 two months ago, but sadly not too many kilometers on it so
far. Even if it's one of the lightest frames out there it's also very
stiff. The German magazine "Tour" had a test of lightweight frames
about a year ago, where it excelled. My frame in size 51 is just 840
grams on a kitchen scale, so I guess the R3SL could go below 800 in
small sizes.

The R3 isn't particularly expensive for a high-end carbon fiber
frameset. I paid 2150 euros for mine, including the fork, headset and
seatpost. The FSA seatpost that comes with is quite heavy and because
of it's unusual diameter of 32.4 mm replacement options are few. Not
that there's anything wrong with the FSA seatpost, but selling a
260-gram seatpost with a 840-gram frame seems somewhat unusual. The
stock fork is very aero and stiff, but not particularly light as far as
high-end forks go.

The R3 generally looks like the work of an engineer. The tubes look
somewhat awkward with a fat, near-rectangular downtube, really beefy
chainstays and then extremely thin seatstays. The finishing quality
isn't up there with Colnago, Time and some others. But technically it's
a very impressive frame.

Antti