Bike Advice / Opinions - Cervelo / Orbea?

Toonraid

Squeeky carbon, problematic seatpost, 3rd generation forks in just 2 years ...

Having said that it all depends how much you use or abuse your ride - if its a fair weather weekend worrier coming off an alu bike then i guess any 2k bike will feel like the gods b**** but in reallity how many have ridden similar bikes over a long distance to make a proper comparison - even magazine reviews always missing some key competitors - have you seen the pick for bike of the year in bikeradar - surely bike radar don't think we "the cycling public" are that stupid?

bristolpete

Toonraid wrote:

Squeeky carbon, problematic seatpost, 3rd generation forks in just 2 years ...

Having said that it all depends how much you use or abuse your ride - if its a fair weather weekend worrier coming off an alu bike then i guess any 2k bike will feel like the gods b**** but in reallity how many have ridden similar bikes over a long distance to make a proper comparison - even magazine reviews always missing some key competitors - have you seen the pick for bike of the year in bikeradar - surely bike radar don't think we "the cycling public" are that stupid?

Very true. That said I am positive that if the range of Cervelo bikes is good enough for the pro scene that they are surely more than good enough for weekend riders?

Dunno about the whole bike of the year thing. Perhaps cash and advertising is king? As you say, its all subjective and about getting out on long rides.

Kingtut87

What about the Cinelli Best Of? Not ridden it, but its a stunning looking bike imo.

Wheelspinner

bristolpete wrote:

Very true. That said I am positive that if the range of Cervelo bikes is good enough for the pro scene that they are surely more than good enough for weekend riders?

Dunno about the whole bike of the year thing. Perhaps cash and advertising is king? As you say, its all subjective and about getting out on long rides.

Er, you may have noticed that when the pros get out and about they have a van load of spares following them and a personal mechanic.. Plus, their paycheck is endorsed (at least partially) by the bike supplier, so their opinions may not be entirely unbiassed.

Long term quality and finish is probably not something pros care about much anyway. Besides, if you ride 40,000 km a year, you're bound to wear a few things out in a hurry!

Pokerface

Toonraid wrote:

Squeeky carbon, problematic seatpost, 3rd generation forks in just 2 years ...

The forks aren't made by Cervelo - are they? They are made by 3T

Pokerface

While I agree that when paying top dollar for a new bike/frame - it should have a nice finish and paint job, etc - I think the way it rides is as important, if not more so.

I am a sucker for 'pretty' things and bling, but I've found that after just a few hard rides, that shiny bike starts to get chips and scratches, etc. Doesn't take long before it no longer looks brand new. After I've showed off my pretty bike to all my friends - I'm more concerned with how it's going to perform.

bristolpete

Wheelspinner wrote:

bristolpete wrote:

Very true. That said I am positive that if the range of Cervelo bikes is good enough for the pro scene that they are surely more than good enough for weekend riders?

Dunno about the whole bike of the year thing. Perhaps cash and advertising is king? As you say, its all subjective and about getting out on long rides.

Er, you may have noticed that when the pros get out and about they have a van load of spares following them and a personal mechanic.. Plus, their paycheck is endorsed (at least partially) by the bike supplier, so their opinions may not be entirely unbiassed.

Long term quality and finish is probably not something pros care about much anyway. Besides, if you ride 40,000 km a year, you're bound to wear a few things out in a hurry!

Whatt? Your having a laugh. I must have missed that !!! ;-)

wicked

Pokerface wrote:

While I agree that when paying top dollar for a new bike/frame - it should have a nice finish and paint job, etc - I think the way it rides is as important, if not more so.

I am a sucker for 'pretty' things and bling, but I've found that after just a few hard rides, that shiny bike starts to get chips and scratches, etc. Doesn't take long before it no longer looks brand new. After I've showed off my pretty bike to all my friends - I'm more concerned with how it's going to perform.

Very true poker face. But surely after spending that much on a cervelo it's not too much to ask to have the ride AND the finish! I mean the cervelo SL i looked at had white overspray all over the front mech hanger FFS! Now if that was a Giant or a Trek for instance they would be slaughtered but because its a cervelo it somehow seem to be glossed over, no pun intended!
Lets face when talking cervelo,orca,look and anything high end really they ALL ride well so to choose one it's down to fit and looks.

APIII

wicked wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

While I agree that when paying top dollar for a new bike/frame - it should have a nice finish and paint job, etc - I think the way it rides is as important, if not more so.

I am a sucker for 'pretty' things and bling, but I've found that after just a few hard rides, that shiny bike starts to get chips and scratches, etc. Doesn't take long before it no longer looks brand new. After I've showed off my pretty bike to all my friends - I'm more concerned with how it's going to perform.

Very true poker face. But surely after spending that much on a cervelo it's not too much to ask to have the ride AND the finish! I mean the cervelo SL i looked at had white overspray all over the front mech hanger FFS! Now if that was a Giant or a Trek for instance they would be slaughtered but because its a cervelo it somehow seem to be glossed over, no pun intended!
Lets face when talking cervelo,orca,look and anything high end really they ALL ride well so to choose one it's down to fit and looks.

Good point. I've never understood the "if it's good enough for the pros" comment. Most consumers are more demanding because they want the performance and the looks, and the durability, and the ultra lightweight, etc, etc. Nothing against Cervelo, but at £3.5k for the top of the range frame, I'm not sure it ticks all the boxes.

gabriel959

bristolpete wrote:

Toonraid wrote:

Squeeky carbon, problematic seatpost, 3rd generation forks in just 2 years ...

Having said that it all depends how much you use or abuse your ride - if its a fair weather weekend worrier coming off an alu bike then i guess any 2k bike will feel like the gods b**** but in reallity how many have ridden similar bikes over a long distance to make a proper comparison - even magazine reviews always missing some key competitors - have you seen the pick for bike of the year in bikeradar - surely bike radar don't think we "the cycling public" are that stupid?

Very true. That said I am positive that if the range of Cervelo bikes is good enough for the pro scene that they are surely more than good enough for weekend riders?

Dunno about the whole bike of the year thing. Perhaps cash and advertising is king? As you say, its all subjective and about getting out on long rides.

So are the Orbea's though, they are used by a ProTour team and by a Continental team!. Those pics are cool but I betcha you could find as good looking pics for the Orbea Orca or even better ones.

Toonraid

You are assuming that Pro's ride the same bike that is in the shop & that they only have 1 bike!

Most Pro bikes are beefed up and actually weigh more than their replica's in shops - proof is in the math, top of the range scott or cervelo with SRAM red & Carbon wheels sets add up to 1kg less than the UCI weight limit - now would someone like Cavendish or Cancellara put more carbon in the frame to make it stiffer or 4 x chains in their seat tube?

Truth is that each manufacturer has a natural market and an accepted failure rate for a given cost factor - the natural market for most manufacturers are guys putting out 250 watts on a smooth asphalt and not 600 watts on cobbles in Roubaix or Vlaanders.

There is lots of proof if you look closely at detailed pics during pro races or when there is a cyclingnews article on a pro bike when they put the components and weights - at last years Paris-Roubaix Boonen's bike weighed nearly 1 kg more than Pozzato's while both were on Record 11 speed groupset and have exactly same size bikes - only thing different was the wheels and frame - wheels can account for 300 - 400 kg Pozzato's Damocles is not a light bike at 1200 kg so that makes Boonen's top of the range Spec atleast 1500g!

bristolpete

Toonraid wrote:

You are assuming that Pro's ride the same bike that is in the shop & that they only have 1 bike!

Most Pro bikes are beefed up and actually weigh more than their replica's in shops - proof is in the math, top of the range scott or cervelo with SRAM red & Carbon wheels sets add up to 1kg less than the UCI weight limit - now would someone like Cavendish or Cancellara put more carbon in the frame to make it stiffer or 4 x chains in their seat tube?

Truth is that each manufacturer has a natural market and an accepted failure rate for a given cost factor - the natural market for most manufacturers are guys putting out 250 watts on a smooth asphalt and not 600 watts on cobbles in Roubaix or Vlaanders.

There is lots of proof if you look closely at detailed pics during pro races or when there is a cyclingnews article on a pro bike when they put the components and weights - at last years Paris-Roubaix Boonen's bike weighed nearly 1 kg more than Pozzato's while both were on Record 11 speed groupset and have exactly same size bikes - only thing different was the wheels and frame - wheels can account for 300 - 400 kg Pozzato's Damocles is not a light bike at 1200 kg so that makes Boonen's top of the range Spec atleast 1500g!

For sure - I totally agree.

wicked

Toonraid wrote:

You are assuming that Pro's ride the same bike that is in the shop & that they only have 1 bike!

Most Pro bikes are beefed up and actually weigh more than their replica's in shops - proof is in the math, top of the range scott or cervelo with SRAM red & Carbon wheels sets add up to 1kg less than the UCI weight limit - now would someone like Cavendish or Cancellara put more carbon in the frame to make it stiffer or 4 x chains in their seat tube?

Truth is that each manufacturer has a natural market and an accepted failure rate for a given cost factor - the natural market for most manufacturers are guys putting out 250 watts on a smooth asphalt and not 600 watts on cobbles in Roubaix or Vlaanders.

There is lots of proof if you look closely at detailed pics during pro races or when there is a cyclingnews article on a pro bike when they put the components and weights - at last years Paris-Roubaix Boonen's bike weighed nearly 1 kg more than Pozzato's while both were on Record 11 speed groupset and have exactly same size bikes - only thing different was the wheels and frame - wheels can account for 300 - 400 kg Pozzato's Damocles is not a light bike at 1200 kg so that makes Boonen's top of the range Spec atleast 1500g!

Jesus Pippo's bike weighs more than my car! 1200 kg! Sorry could not resist .
Vast majority of the time the bikes in the peloton are off the shelf standard as you can buy from a dealer, it's only certain races like PR and certain riders like Boonen who MAY get the special stuff. Boonen's specialized in PR was a cross between a roubaix and a tarmac for instance. But don't concern yourselves with what the pro's ride they can relace the whole thing after a race if necessary, unless you are minted we mere motrals cannot!

Toonraid

wicked wrote:

... Vast majority of the time the bikes in the peloton are off the shelf standard as you can buy from a dealer, it's only certain races like PR and certain riders like Boonen who MAY get the special stuff. ...

So we are paying thousands to ride the same bike that "Mr Dom Estique" carried Boonen's water bottle and DNF'd at km 120 or Bontrager wheelset that we think is "HEAD" but is actually "Lightweight" or buy 200 pound Conti track Tyres that the british track team actually use for training but race on .... ?

What we need is a Jeremy Clakson to shake up the reviews!

Anonymous

My S2 frame and fork was 1500 quid brand new and I think that is bloody good compared to other stuff I was looking at (Cannondale, Trek, Orbea, Colnago, Look, Pinarello)...

hopper1

I'd go for the Orca... Based on the fact that they look better, to me... :oops:
My LBS, Pedal Revolution, Norwich has one for sale at £1999, reduced fron £2999... That is not a typo, either! :shock:

markos1963

hopper1 wrote:

I'd go for the Orca... Based on the fact that they look better, to me... :oops:
My LBS, Pedal Revolution, Norwich has one for sale at £1999, reduced fron £2999... That is not a typo, either! :shock:

I saw that the other day. My credit card was fluttering wildly in my pocket, especially as it was in my size.

wicked

NapoleonD wrote:

My S2 frame and fork was 1500 quid brand new and I think that is bloody good compared to other stuff I was looking at (Cannondale, Trek, Orbea, Colnago, Look, Pinarello)...

Good deal NapD! Whats list price?

Anonymous

wicked wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

My S2 frame and fork was 1500 quid brand new and I think that is bloody good compared to other stuff I was looking at (Cannondale, Trek, Orbea, Colnago, Look, Pinarello)...

Good deal NapD! Whats list price?

2300

AndyD2574

Cervelo RS.

perfect!

Got mine built up for about £2800. 2010 model with centaur groupset, FSA carbon cranks, Cinelli carbon bars, Fulcrum 3 wheels........total deal!

symo

Looking to spend similar amount soon and I am looking at the Cervelo R3 over the RS. Doscounted the SL as I am not that great a rider, geometry slightly better for a short arse like me who loves to sprint out of the bunch on group rides.

If anyone is near Paignton, Simon at COlin Lewis has a nice RS setup with white american classic wheels at the mo.