NEW BIKE........CERVELO S3 ????

pthompson73
pthompson73 Posts: 58
edited December 2009 in Road buying advice
Thinking of buying the Cervelo S3 frame and kitting it out but have so many questions....advise and cohersion welcome?

My current ride is a Trek Madone 5.2 (2009)

I have a budget of about £8000 and want to go for the ultimate set up.

I really fancy the Shimano Di2 groupset but not sure if the battery pack will fit the thin aero tubes without looking ghastly OR should I just go for a SRAM RED or the Shimano 7900.

Wheels..........Mavic R Sys or Cosmic Carbone wheels or Zipp 404

I could go on and on.........What would you add to this frameset?...........Any ideas on decent retailers?

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Only certain wheels fit the S3, I don't think the R-Sys do.

    Royles in Wilmslow have won Cervelo Retailer of the year, they have an S3 frame on sale at the moment. I bought an S2 yesterday from them.

    I think the battery would struggle to fit the frame, I would personally go with Sram Red but with Rotor cranks and rings.

    Finishing kit 3T ARX Ltd stem and the carbon bars.

    It comes with a seatpost.

    However for an 8 grand budget my money would be on a different frame...

    Something like a Colnago EPS and Lightweight wheels...
  • pthompson73
    pthompson73 Posts: 58
    Mr Dynamite,

    Thanks for the response, I supose a visit to Wilmslow or phone call at least is in order!

    There is a store (Activ Cycles) close to home in Corbridge, Northumberland) who are also recognised Cervelo retailers I might give a go first!

    I thought that might be the case with the Di2 battery pack, plus I would hate to think of spending a load of cash only for the frame designers to catch up in a year or so and incorporate it internally in the frame.

    I like your idea on the Sram Red and finishing kit......what wheels would you suggest?

    What frames woulod you be looking at?

    (ps Merry Xmas.......hope Santa was good to you!)
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    For that amount of budget you could look at some frames that have been designed around the new Di2 system.

    The new Viner Maxima RS for instance - also custom built

    www.viner.it
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • VinceEager
    VinceEager Posts: 247
    http://sheldonbrown.com/otb.html
    ...the bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon...
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    pthompson73 wrote:
    Thinking of buying the Cervelo S3 frame and kitting it out but have so many questions....advise and cohersion welcome?

    My current ride is a Trek Madone 5.2 (2009)

    I have a budget of about £8000 and want to go for the ultimate set up.

    I really fancy the Shimano Di2 groupset but not sure if the battery pack will fit the thin aero tubes without looking ghastly OR should I just go for a SRAM RED or the Shimano 7900.

    Wheels..........Mavic R Sys or Cosmic Carbone wheels or Zipp 404

    I could go on and on.........What would you add to this frameset?...........Any ideas on decent retailers?

    That's an easy one.

    2010 Cervelo S3 (not the 2009 as the 2010 paintjob is WAY better). Sram Red all around.
    2 sets of wheels. A set of Zipp 404's or 303's (tubs) and something cheap and cheerful to train on (like a Mavic Aksium/Ksyrium). Forget the R-Sys. And forget Shimano all-together.

    Wheel choice will depend on what the bike is for. Lots of road racing, then go for the 404's. More climbing than racing, Go for 303's.

    That's what I would spend my money on!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Colnago EPS
    Campagnolo Record
    Deda finishing kit
    LIghtweight standard 3 wheels.

    Or a Di2 specific frame...
  • bikeboy123
    bikeboy123 Posts: 63
    go to activ, best shop in the north east area and also a cervelo test centre...and they nothing but the best, main reason they will have cervelo!
  • Rich K47
    Rich K47 Posts: 62
    S3 frame, SRAM Red, Lightweights. I'd definitely not use the Lightweights as standard and I'd get an R3 SL instead but, other than that, perfect!
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    Ultimate set-up?

    Viner Maxima RS frame - Di2 or Super Record. Clavicula Chainset, Some Boutique finishing kit (AX Lightness, Extralite, Schmolke, Tune etc) - some handbuilt wheels using Extralite hubs and Edge rims
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • pmac1893
    pmac1893 Posts: 75
    Cervelo s3
    sram red
    3t limited finishing kit
    reynolds rzr!!!!!!!!!!!!! why not?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    pthompson73 wrote:
    Thinking of buying the Cervelo S3 frame and kitting it out but have so many questions....advise and cohersion welcome?

    My current ride is a Trek Madone 5.2 (2009)

    I have a budget of about £8000 and want to go for the ultimate set up.

    I really fancy the Shimano Di2 groupset but not sure if the battery pack will fit the thin aero tubes without looking ghastly OR should I just go for a SRAM RED or the Shimano 7900.

    Wheels..........Mavic R Sys or Cosmic Carbone wheels or Zipp 404

    I could go on and on.........What would you add to this frameset?...........Any ideas on decent retailers?

    For gods sake, with a budget of 8 grand, try out as many as you want to. Don't settle on the (very desirable) S3 unless you have tried it, you may not like the way it feels you know, and imo with that kind of money you can get anything you wanted. I would want 2 top bikes for 8 grand, but that's just me, and you could do a deal with an LBS I'm sure. As already stated, wheel and indeed groupset choice is limited with the Cervelo anyway.

    I would also try out the likes of Pinarello, Colnago EPS, Independent Fabrication, Parlee, Cyfac and Serotta amongst others, before making a decision.
  • Crankmeister
    Crankmeister Posts: 274
    storck smolke tune extralite clavicula.......... damn you could run a 10 pound weight bike for that sort of dosh.fill the tyres with helium and you could float up hills.....spend it wisely
  • storck
    storck Posts: 64
    Not a lover of Cervelo probablly good frame considering amount on the go just too common for my taste,without a doubt best looking frame i seen for nx year for your cash Storck Scenario 1.0 in white seen in flesh STUNNING.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    storck wrote:
    Not a lover of Cervelo probablly good frame considering amount on the go just too common for my taste


    Are you on crack? Cervelo common? I have only seen 2 in the flesh - and have been to loads of events with thousands of cyclists. And one of them was in a shop!!

    They sell very few Cervelo's - especially when compared with all the other 'big' brands.
  • storck
    storck Posts: 64
    Crack no not my cup of tea i stay Edinburgh area and believe me we have 2/3 shops puntting Cervelos so hope that answers your question as more sellers the more you see of them here anyway as i said good frames but better is out there for your hard earned cash ,choices choices its great.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Pokerface wrote:
    storck wrote:
    Not a lover of Cervelo probablly good frame considering amount on the go just too common for my taste


    Are you on crack? Cervelo common? I have only seen 2 in the flesh - and have been to loads of events with thousands of cyclists. And one of them was in a shop!!

    They sell very few Cervelo's - especially when compared with all the other 'big' brands.

    I'd never desribe a top end bike as common, but yeah, you do see plenty of Cervelos around. Depending on your PoV, you can see that as validation that Cervelo are making great bikes, or that they have successful marketing.
  • Opotopo
    Opotopo Posts: 25
    My choice would be:

    http://www.moots.com/#/product/bicycles ... moots_rsl/
  • Once_In_A_Blue_Moon
    Once_In_A_Blue_Moon Posts: 269
    8 grand!? Santa has been kind to you this year!

    Personally, I would buy 2 top end bikes at £4k each, but seeing as you want to spend out on one:

    De Rosa King
    Campag Record
    Consider Fulcrum Speed wheels?
    Whatever finishing kit takes your fancy!
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Would recommend ActivCycles. I purhcased my Izoard from Mark. They've since dropped Wilier but now stock Orbea and, as previously mentioned, are a Cervelo Test Centre.

    A pimped up Orca with SRAM Red or Super Record and Zipps, Lightweights or Campag Boras would probably be the way I'd spaff thousands on.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • AidanR
    AidanR Posts: 1,142
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEDWX:IT

    I bid on this for a laugh - of course it went for much higher than my bid (!). Mind you, it was quite a bargain all the same.

    R3 SL
    Edge 1.0 fork
    Edge tubs on DT 190s
    Zipp Vuma
    SRAM Red

    I think my ultimate bike would be along those lines, but with Clavicula cranks and M5 brakes (even though they're ugly as hell).
    Bike lover and part-time cyclist.
  • KonaMiniMula1
    KonaMiniMula1 Posts: 37
    I'd certainly want something special for £8000. Perhaps a top end Lynskey or if you really do want carbon a Colnago or as you thought a Cervelo. A pair of lightweights, Ritchey super logic and Sram red or Campagnolo super record.
  • pthompson73
    pthompson73 Posts: 58
    My My My....so many excellent opinions and so many new questions to be answered all I can say is thank you guys for all the advice.......on Xmas day as well!

    I think a lot more investigation and research needs to be done.... i will certainly be giving mark at Activ a call after the holidays as a starting off point

    Think I am going to spunk the lot on one bike as I already have a half decent bike to commute and use on the turbo.

    I shall keep you all posted on the outcome!

    Cheers and all the best
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    I've only ever seen one Cervelo being ridden around my way...

    Now Ribble winter bike, that's 'common' (and for good reason too!)

    I had a look at a Storck in Boneshakers in Harrogate. Nice. But I'd rather have the Cervelo S2. Well, obviously I would because that's what I went for.

    Keep us updated Mr Thompson!
  • bikeboy123
    bikeboy123 Posts: 63
    seriously, just go down to activ and they will spec you one of the best bikes there is, im sure of that :)

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