Cervelo R3 v RS

itisaboutthebike
itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
edited December 2010 in Road buying advice
Hi
wonder if anyone can help me with the above.

Whats the difference between these save the slightly more upright position of the RS ?

Do they use the same carbon layup ?

Is there a weight penalty with the RS and if so what ?

Comments

  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    The differences in geometry have closed for the 2011 models as the R3 now has a higher front end - there's less difference between the two. The S series are lower in the front end.

    The R3 and R5 are lighter and lighter again than the RS - it's noticeable if you hold the frames in your hand but probably not so much on the road.

    If I was buying and I had the funds I'd choose an R3 ... just my opinion. I have a friend with an RS who loves it and I rode one a couple of years ago and was very impressed. If you want an RS - there have been some great prices recently, clearing out 2010 stock.

    The RS is Cervelo's cheapest carbon frame and is the heaviest but it's still hardly a porker.

    Hope that helps.
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    Yeah thanks

    If the carbon layup is the same on the R3 and RS I'll prbably go for an RS as they're cheaper (and the 54cm one with 16cm head tube has a 55cm top tube which I need).

    I'm just wondering if the carbon layup is the same between ther RS and R3 really. I can't see it being that different - in fact I think I've maybe read its the same but can't remember where.
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    If the layup is the same I'm pretty sure it's a different grade of carbon on the RS, which is part of the reason it's cheaper (a big part of the reason I suspect).

    Stonehenge Cycles are selling the for £1050 - so I think you'll struggle to find them cheaper - I've just checked their site and they have a 54cm one. http://www.stonehengecycles.com/product/5593/2010_cervelo_rs_frame

    Good luck.

    ScottieP
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    Buy a Canyon :wink:
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    Hi thanks
    yes I like the Canyon, but the RS's are such a goo deal at the moment.

    By carbon layup I really also mean grade of carbon - but obviously has a marked effect on stiffness etc (along with layupp characteristics etc)
  • bcss
    bcss Posts: 174
    while not beeing an expert on Cervelo, i recently read a bit into the 2011 line up and my understanding is that there is little point for the R3, either you go for the R5 and get the whole bottom bracket additional stiffness advantage, or you might get the RS and save the money for some good wheels

    but again, this is just what I got recently, interested to hear other views
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    I can't say I agree about the R3 vs R5 - the R3 also has the BBright bottom bracket - just comes without the bundled Rotor crankset - but is £1,300 cheaper than the R3 which is only probably 150 grammes or so heavier with the exact same geometry - so I think the opposite is true - I would struggle to justify an R5 over an R3. If you want the lightest and best R series there's the R5ca at £7,500 ... but that's a whole other story.

    Considering you can buy a 2010 RS for about £1,000 in the short term before stocks run out - it might be a challenge to justify anything apart from a 2010 RS :)

    Just a different opinion .... for the debate :D
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    Yes I agree - in that an RS (@£1050) just has to be a good buy.

    Is a BB30 (right/wrong or whatever) really that much stiffer than a hollowtech or megaexo setup ?

    And in any case will I ( a 49 year old has - very - has been racer) notice that much of a difference - probably not.

    But I can but dream of the R5................
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    Considering you can buy a 2010 RS for about £1,000 in the short term before stocks run out - it might be a challenge to justify anything apart from a 2010 RS

    A challenge indeed !
  • bcss
    bcss Posts: 174
    ScottieP wrote:
    the R3 also has the BBright bottom bracket - just comes without the bundled Rotor crankset

    :oops: .... ups....must have done major error in my reserach...was convinced that the R3 did not have the bbright...that comes from relying too much on youtube rather than the manufacturer homepage....so yeah well that turns things around...and agree not much point in the R5 and probably R3 the best solution....but at 1k you can't say much for an RS

    with regards to stiffness: they claim that it's 100% stiffer than the old BB. When I changed by wheels from stiff to a bit stiffer, I was surprised how much if felt the difference

    btw in case you haven't seen it here's an interesting video on the 2011 line up taken at Eurobike, just don't rely too much on it ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0J2EPH1fZo

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