colnago C50 or Extreme C or Cervelo R3(SL)

terongi
terongi Posts: 318
edited December 2008 in Workshop
I crashed my racing bike. Need a new one for next year.

I use it for:
(a) weekend training (3-5 hours at fast pace in bunch)
(b) 1 hour crit races
(c) occasional long mountainous/hilly sportifs

Which of the 3 should I buy?
«1

Comments

  • C50 with Super Record
  • Camion
    Camion Posts: 60
    Colnago Extreme Power with Dura Ace on Cosmic Ultimates.
    Colnago Extreme Power - Dura Ace
    1980s Colnago Master Steel - Super Record Delta
    Brompton M3L-X Raleigh Nitro MTB
    1981 Viscount Sport Orange Evo 8 single speed
    Specialized Langster Carerra Subway zero
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Camion wrote:
    Colnago Extreme Power with Dura Ace on Cosmic Ultimates.

    And what a sh!t looking bike that'd make.....
    I like bikes...

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  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Cervelo with Sram Red.

    That evens things up :twisted: :lol:
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • None of the above.
    Buy a Viner Maxima instead.


    With Italy's finest on it.
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • terongi
    terongi Posts: 318
    Thanks for the votes.

    Anything more substantial about why I should pick one of these rather than the others?

    handling, feel, comfort?
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    I tried a C50 a few weeks ago and found it to be very comfortable. To be honest, I'd be choosing the bike that is best for the 3-5 hour rides, as that is where you will notice the differnce between them the most.
  • pliptrot
    pliptrot Posts: 582
    Colnago - made in Italy and made well. Cervelos are made in Taiwan, and I had a good look at an R3 last week - not impressed. Of course, if you don't mind a little profiteering, have a visor on your helmet and use a Camelbak, go ahead and buy the R3.
  • Camion wrote:
    Colnago Extreme Power with Dura Ace on Cosmic Ultimates.

    There should be laws against Shimanoing an Italian bike.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • Camion wrote:
    Colnago Extreme Power with Dura Ace on Cosmic Ultimates.

    And what a sh!t looking bike that'd make.....

    i actually laughed out loud
  • Colnago extreme with full record and shamal utra's!!, thats what im racing on this year......You know it makes sense!!

    p.s Agree with not infecting a colnago with shimano :wink:
    Up hup hup hup.....fricking hate that!
  • Colnago extreme with full record and shamal utra's!!, thats what im racing on this coming season......You know it makes sense!!

    p.s Agree with not infecting a colnago with shimano :wink:
    Up hup hup hup.....fricking hate that!
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    pliptrot wrote:
    Colnago - made in Italy and made well. Cervelos are made in Taiwan, and I had a good look at an R3 last week - not impressed. Of course, if you don't mind a little profiteering, have a visor on your helmet and use a Camelbak, go ahead and buy the R3.

    But did you actually ride one? I thought the same as you until I rode one.

    Cervelos - Dura Ace, Colnago - Campag, that's the law
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,824
    If you can only have 1 bike but need it to cover all 3 types of rides then I haven't a clue but in my knowledge crits have a fairly high crash count and wrecking one of these frames would be very expensive.
    The other 2 types of rides I'd think can be covered by 1 frame but crits : personally I'd have a more expendable bike for that (if I could afford it !)
  • It's asking a fair bit from one bike to excel in all three of your ride types. Also depends how much you weigh and what you're thinking in terms of wheels IMO.

    C50: Awesome armchair of a bike. Stable, stiff and feels really substantial (in a good way). Slack headtube means steering is very sure footed but not that quick. Not great for tight crits but good for your other rides. If you just have to shave weight and are under 80kg maybe an EC. Lovely finishing workmanship on all the Colnagos but PR00 or EITA are best paint schemes. AMRD from the 09 range perhaps but in general I'm not that impressed with the 09 paint.

    EC: As above (same geometry as C50) but circular section tubes, lighter for hilly stuff but not ideal for big riders I'd say. Colnagos don't break unless you drive them into your garage attached to the roof rack, but if you're over 80kg an EP might be better for the crits requirement than an EC or C50. And as has been said, PLEASE do the right thing and put 09 Record/SR on it. Ideally with Boras or at a push Shamals. Colnagos must also be horizontal top tube. None of this sloping nonsense.

    R3: Less comfortable than the Colnagos but still pretty good. Stiff as hell, especially in the BB area which is good for crits. Reasonably aggressive front end but not to the point of being skittish. Finish is a little 'industrial' as Cervelo apply no decorative carbon and paint job is pretty ordinary. It feels a bit disposable IMO. I'd say the SL is a pointless upgrade on the R3 - invest the difference in wheels, another bike or something more useful. Also SL takes a 27.2mm post IIRC which can be a bit flexy on a sloping frame depending on your saddle height. R3 is 31.6mm.

    I've ridden all three bikes, the C50 and R3 for a few thousand km.
  • Cervelos - Dura Ace

    No!!! I had that debate (in my head) when i specced up my Cervelo, though wanted some Campag - couldn't be happier. I totally agree with the opinion that Colnago must be dressed in Campag, but weren't a few of us lusting after Erik Zabel's EPS..?

    *waiting for QI flashing board alert*
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    [quote="Compton77"]
    Cervelos - Dura Ace

    No!!! I had that debate (in my head) when i specced up my Cervelo, though wanted some Campag - couldn't be happier. I totally agree with the opinion that Colnago must be dressed in Campag, but weren't a few of us lusting after Erik Zabel's EPS..?

    *waiting for QI flashing board alert*[/quote]
    Lol yes we were weren't we! But I wouldnt' be like Mr Zabel, I would definitely put Campag on mine!
  • Rich-Ti
    Rich-Ti Posts: 1,831
    [quote="Compton77"]
    Cervelos - Dura Ace
    No!!! I had that debate (in my head) when i specced up my Cervelo, though wanted some Campag - couldn't be happier. I totally agree with the opinion that Colnago must be dressed in Campag, but weren't a few of us lusting after Erik Zabel's EPS..?

    *waiting for QI flashing board alert*

    Lol yes we were weren't we! But I wouldnt' be like Mr Zabel, I would definitely put Campag on mine!
    [/quote][/quote]

    Cervelos = SRAM Red, surely?! IMO opinion they don't fit in the Campag shed (despite me having Campag on mine) but are also too nice to have angling equipment draped over them - which only leaves SRAM, and then it has to be Red 8)

    Oh, and what about the S2 / S3? That's where my money would go :D
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    It's asking a fair bit from one bike to excel in all three of your ride types. Also depends how much you weigh and what you're thinking in terms of wheels IMO.

    C50: Awesome armchair of a bike. Stable, stiff and feels really substantial (in a good way). Slack headtube means steering is very sure footed but not that quick. Not great for tight crits but good for your other rides. If you just have to shave weight and are under 80kg maybe an EC. Lovely finishing workmanship on all the Colnagos but PR00 or EITA are best paint schemes. AMRD from the 09 range perhaps but in general I'm not that impressed with the 09 paint.

    EC: As above (same geometry as C50) but circular section tubes, lighter for hilly stuff but not ideal for big riders I'd say. Colnagos don't break unless you drive them into your garage attached to the roof rack, but if you're over 80kg an EP might be better for the crits requirement than an EC or C50. And as has been said, PLEASE do the right thing and put 09 Record/SR on it. Ideally with Boras or at a push Shamals. Colnagos must also be horizontal top tube. None of this sloping nonsense.

    R3: Less comfortable than the Colnagos but still pretty good. Stiff as hell, especially in the BB area which is good for crits. Reasonably aggressive front end but not to the point of being skittish. Finish is a little 'industrial' as Cervelo apply no decorative carbon and paint job is pretty ordinary. It feels a bit disposable IMO. I'd say the SL is a pointless upgrade on the R3 - invest the difference in wheels, another bike or something more useful. Also SL takes a 27.2mm post IIRC which can be a bit flexy on a sloping frame depending on your saddle height. R3 is 31.6mm.

    I've ridden all three bikes, the C50 and R3 for a few thousand km.[/quote]
    Just wondered if you realise that frames with a sloping geometry suit some people better than traditional geom.
  • Yes, of course... I was being a little facetious. I have sloping frames but a horizontal toptube is a little more traditional in keeping with the Colnago heritage. Fit is critical but you have to be some way down the bell curve with short legs and long arms/body that you NEED to ride a compact to get the right fit.
  • Cervelos - Dura Ace, Colnago - Campag, that's the law

    True!

    I ride a R3 and would love to replace for R3-SL.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I would buy a S3 and put DA on it with no sleepless nights.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    S3, Zipp 808s, and SRAM Red.

    The only excuse to ride shimano is if your sponsors pays you to do so :wink:
    I like bikes...

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  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    But on the otherhand a EPS or EP with Super Record and Bora Ultras might just pip it to top spot........
    I like bikes...

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  • Loving the S3 right enough but the 09 paint jobs are nasty. My suggestion would be...

    - S3 with SLC-SL black/white paint job, 808s (09 version with stiffer rear) and Red
    - EPS in AMRD with Super Record and Bora Ultra 2s for when it's too windy for 808s

    Piggy bank raid imminent :-)
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I have had this problem with Cervelos for years. To me they're great looking frames but the paint jobs just don't show off the lines for me.

    The S3 would look so much better with some adventurous colour schemes instead of plain old silver and black. And Don't get me started on those le Olympic rings against white .... sshhheeeeesshhhhhhh!
  • Rich-Ti
    Rich-Ti Posts: 1,831
    The S3 would look so much better with some adventurous colour schemes instead of plain old silver and black
    True, but it's a good excuse to get matching 3T Ltd bars and stem... :roll:
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Yes they are nice .... good point! :roll:
  • id get a c50 in proo with super record 11. record seat pin deda campione bar with newton stem. speedplays. bora u 2's with fmb silks. stella azzura bar tape and emporelli cages.
    tikka
    hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.
  • alright ... of these I'd go for an EP or an EC in a nice paintjob. Maybe EITA, or something with a fair bit of while in it. I'd then throw on SR and some Ti shamals. You're really in business then. Far more stylish than an R3 (which are everywhere now), and timeless ... sort of.

    I'd either go for that or a Look.