R3sl? Or something newer?

cookiemonster

I've had a sudden impulse to swap my cervelo RS for something else; the RS is fantastic, cant fault it, but its time for a change. Partly also I have a Roberts audax which though heavier and not as stiff and racey as the RS fits the bill for comfort, distance and audaxy sportive type stuff where seconds dont matter. So, I'm looking for something more full on race orientated than the RS, but capable on stuff like the marmotte, flanders and the like which are lined up for next year.

I was thinking of the new R5, but i can't be bothered with the bbright setup (I'll just be transferring over my record crank - having adapters would seem to defeat the purpose), and for £3k or whatever i need a bike that looks great, and Im really not sold on the green or yellow. That made me think of the R3sl, 2008 or 9 models can be picked up for ~1800 or so, which is still a lump of cash, but compares well with say stuff like the M10 or something from Look, which look terrific, but are heading towards twice the price.

So my dilemma is whether a 2011 frame from look, time, colnago etc are any improvement over 3 year old model frame like the R3sl?

Mmmm

mrushton

A Serotta Legend perhaps or a Colnago M10? One Ti and one monocoque carbon but the R3 is an excellent bike so I can't see the point in changing

on-yer-bike

A 2008 R3-SL is the same as a 2010 just a different colour scheme. So it is worth buying the 2008. I like mine.

Garrigou

+1 for the R3SL. My 2008 model rides great & the fact that the colour scheme is pretty simple means it doesn't date too much.

cookiemonster

This is pathetic - but on the one hand i read all the bike stuff and see the year on year "improvements", 30% stiffer, 6tonnes lighter, etc. And then I look at a four year old frame and realise that its as good as any 2011 bike - so where's the progress?

I'll maybe check the Z5 although, like colnago, it sometimes feels like Parlee is more of a cult than a bike builder :-)

Jon

edinburghbiker

cookiemonster wrote:

I've had a sudden impulse to swap my cervelo RS for something else; the RS is fantastic, cant fault it, but its time for a change. Partly also I have a Roberts audax which though heavier and not as stiff and racey as the RS fits the bill for comfort, distance and audaxy sportive type stuff where seconds dont matter. So, I'm looking for something more full on race orientated than the RS, but capable on stuff like the marmotte, flanders and the like which are lined up for next year.

I was thinking of the new R5, but i can't be bothered with the bbright setup (I'll just be transferring over my record crank - having adapters would seem to defeat the purpose), and for £3k or whatever i need a bike that looks great, and Im really not sold on the green or yellow. That made me think of the R3sl, 2008 or 9 models can be picked up for ~1800 or so, which is still a lump of cash, but compares well with say stuff like the M10 or something from Look, which look terrific, but are heading towards twice the price.

So my dilemma is whether a 2011 frame from look, time, colnago etc are any improvement over 3 year old model frame like the R3sl?

Mmmm

Do you have any good retailer links for the R3sl 08/09 models?

giant_man

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/ ... m=carousel

cookiemonster

And Slane cycles http://www.slanecycles.com/frames-cerve ... 32_43.html

£1900 for a 2008, £2000 for a 2009

jon

Craig McA

Specialized sworks tarmac sl3 2011. Bought one recently and hands down the BEST bike i have ever rode by a mile. Frameset can be bought for around £2000