Cervelo RS on loan - big decision

ronnierocket

I bought a Genesis Vapour cyclecross bike as an introduction to Road Cycling last year as I thought I would do a bit more than road cycling but that hasnt transpired. I am now wishing to buy a proper road bike. I have done most of my bike buying at my local bike shop who have now loaned me a Cervelo RS with a 105 groupset to try out for a week. It is going to be approx £2000. I rode it last night and thought it was great then swapped with my friend who has a Specialized Secteur Elite and thought it was great also but would be about half the price. The only modification being a set of Hope Hoop wheels which are probably better than the ones on the Cervelo.

Can someone convince me that the Cervelo RS is better!!

All comments appreciated.

Chip \'oyler

If you didn't notice a difference then it's not worth shelling out the extra for. BUT if you prefer the looks of the Cervelo then why not.

malstonbury

The Cervelo RS is a beautiful bike but I have had problems with them in the past

I got my first RS in July 2009 and rode it for about 11 months before I noticed that cracks had appeared around the bottom bracket where there is an aluminium insert, it was replaced without question on warranty and the next RS lasted me for 4 months before exactly the same thing happened. This one took longer to replace as it went all way back to Cervelo but eventually I ended up with an R3.

Unsurprisingly I was over the moon with the upgrade, but having ridden it three times it developed exactly the same cracks.

I now ride a Specialized Tarmac SL3 and so far so good.

Evil Laugh

Don't count your chickens with specialized.

My mate's on his 3rd roubaix due to cracked frames. Although he does now have the sworks from an elite. Which is nice I suppose.

yaya

My RS is a 2009 frame which I bought 2nd hand last April and I've done 2,500km on it since then. I'm 90kg and quite aggressive coming from MTB. So far no cracks or anything and it's a big improvement over the CR1 PRO I had previously in terms of comfort

Never ridden a Secteur so cannot comment on that one or on any differences (they must be heavier though)

Arghyrou

Specialized are so good too deal with, many say the best, lifetime warranty on frames, I have an allez elite, all upgraded, its lovely.
If you like the secteur definitely worth looking at the Allez!
Cervelo look lovely but Specialized perform so well and are so good to deal with.

Matt Square

Evil Laugh wrote:

Don't count your chickens with specialized.

My mate's on his 3rd roubaix due to cracked frames. Although he does now have the sworks from an elite. Which is nice I suppose.

Oh dear, I have just bought a new Elite! It is going to see plenty of proper use as well.
Fingers crossed.

northpole

A friend recently changed from a tarmac to an rs - he is over the moon with the improvements. He's a big chap and strong with it - so far no BB problems.
The white frame looks a million dollars compared with the old spesh.
Peter

Nuggs

Matt Square wrote:

Evil Laugh wrote:

Don't count your chickens with specialized.

My mate's on his 3rd roubaix due to cracked frames. Although he does now have the sworks from an elite. Which is nice I suppose.

Oh dear, I have just bought a new Elite! It is going to see plenty of proper use as well.
Fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed the frame breaks so you can get the free S-Works upgrade?

TMR

I bought a 2011 Cervelo RS on Saturday - full 3T cockpit and seat post, Ultegra GS and Kysrium Equipe wheels.

It's beautiful. Took it on a couple of laps of Box Hill on Saturday afternoon, then a 35 mile loop to Henley and back on Sunday.

It's a beautiful bike. Much more comfortable than my Cannondale Super Six. The ride is identical to the Bianchi Infinito.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

mfin

If you can stretch to it try find an R3 on a good deal, the RS has a different carbon layup, geometry a little more relaxed but a good bike fit is a good bike fit. RS is still good value though.