2014 Cervelo R3 Dark or2013 Cannondale Supersix Evo Red?????

jackdee98
jackdee98 Posts: 15
edited September 2013 in Road buying advice
I fully appreciate that this is yet another "Which bike?" question but I'd be very grateful of some advice.
I've been "tyre-kicking" for a new bike for a year or so now but recently I've "unfortunately" been left some money and after a few bad weeks I'm finally in a positive "life goes on" mood and thought "sod it, I'm going to finally treat myself...."

...anyway, I had set my heart on a 2014 Cervelo R3 Dark Force (£2999) but when I went to ask a few questions at the lbs, they said that although the frame was very good, the rest of the bike wasn't the best equipped then they proceeded to try to sell me a 2013 Cannondale Supersix Evo SM Red for £100 less saying that it is a lot better bike.

I totally understand that Cannondale does have a good pedigree etc. but as I have always wanted a Cervelo, I was wondering a few things:

Which would be the better/lighter frame and forks??
Is the 2013 SRAM Red that much better than the 2014 Force 22 groupset?
Is the rest of the Cervelo's spec really that poor?
I know that Ksyrium Equipe S is a better wheelset than Fulcrum 5.5 but I have a set of Dura Ace C24's that I would be using anyway so the wheels probably make any difference to me.

Basically Ladies and Gentlemen, if you were me how would you spend my money?

Many thanks in advance

Comments

  • nawty
    nawty Posts: 225
    Go with your heart.

    Bikes are never a rational decision, if they were half the companies out there would be out of business, the difference between all the bits and pieces really isn't that great.

    This doesn't just apply to bikes, pretty much everything suffers from significant laws of diminishing returns.
    Cannondale CAAD 10 Ultegra
    Kinesis Racelight Tiagra
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    ^ What he said. Failing that, go for the one with the nicest paint job.
  • robbo2011
    robbo2011 Posts: 1,017
    It's probably nothing to do with the quality of the bikes, just the fact that the LBS has an old model Evo they want to get rid of.
  • Markjaspi
    Markjaspi Posts: 729
    ^what they both said, if you go for the cannondale you will always wish you had gone for the other, you can always upgrade the group set in the future, get the frame you really want.
    Cipollini Bond
    Pinarello GAN
  • chrisvanderkaap
    chrisvanderkaap Posts: 323
    Markjaspi wrote:
    ^what they both said, if you go for the cannondale you will always wish you had gone for the other, you can always upgrade the group set in the future, get the frame you really want.

    What all of them said.

    The Cervelo is a killer!
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    I've had 2 R3's and while they are fantastic frames, I'll be going for the Evo next.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Crozza
    Crozza Posts: 991
    first off I'm sorry to hear about your loss

    I can't work it out from your post - does your LBS stock Cervelo? If it does then try both out and see which you like best. If it doesn't, then it's obvious that they would downplay the one you want in favour of the one that they have, and you'll need to go with your heart. Unless you can try it somewhere else?

    I have often had my heart set on things, but once I try others it's funny how quickly you can change your mind (bikes, cars, houses etc!)
  • jackdee98
    jackdee98 Posts: 15
    Yes, they (Wheelbase @ Staveley) stock both.

    Maybe I'm being seduced by the 'Cervelo' label and I do fully appreciate that the Evo is a fantastic bike but perhaps I really need to look at facts and figures :-/ OR maybe I should just say "Fupp it"

    Christ! My divorce was easier than this :)
  • banditvic
    banditvic Posts: 549
    Don't know about the Cervelo but I am lucky enough to have a Evo with 2013 Sram Red, you won't be disappointed. Great handling, comfortable and light, faultless gear changes.
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    I think Wheelbase are being slightly disingenuous here. The Supersix evo frame is not the higher tier nano or himod frame, it is the frame which for 2014 has replaced the supersix and is selling (albeit a lower spec model) for £1699. Thus I would say the supersix evo with the older SRAM Red groupset is not such a bargain. The Cervelo R3 dark is apparently the 2013 R5 frame which Wheelbase is selling for £1999 with the new SRAM Force groupset - which is possibly on par with the old SRAM red groupset. Obviously I would want a test ride, however, picking between the two I would go for the Cervelo. FWIW I own a hi-mod Supersix evo.
  • peteone
    peteone Posts: 152
    Yeah the R3 dark is the 2013 R5 frame, the new sram force seems decent too. I do however love the new Red GS. I'd be stuck with this one. :?
    Cervelo R3
    Giant TCR SL
    Ibis Tranny
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    peteone wrote:
    Yeah the R3 dark is the 2013 R5 frame, the new sram force seems decent too. I do however love the new Red GS. I'd be stuck with this one. :?

    I don't think the 2013 evo has the new Sram red groupset.
  • jackdee98
    jackdee98 Posts: 15
    Thanks for the replies so far.

    I think I read somewhere that the 2013 Evo's "SRAM groupset" has a lesser spec cassette, crankset and chain?????
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    The chain and cassette are consumables, i wouldn't worry about it. Doesn't the upgraded R3 come with Sram Force?
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • peteone
    peteone Posts: 152
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    The chain and cassette are consumables, i wouldn't worry about it. Doesn't the upgraded R3 come with Sram Force?
    The Dark version comes as 105 for £1999 or force 22 for £2999
    Cervelo R3
    Giant TCR SL
    Ibis Tranny
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    peteone wrote:
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    The chain and cassette are consumables, i wouldn't worry about it. Doesn't the upgraded R3 come with Sram Force?
    The Dark version comes as 105 for £1999 or force 22 for £2999

    I doubt the upgrade from 105 to Force is worth a grand...
  • peteone
    peteone Posts: 152
    There not realy full grouppos and the wheels are upgraded on the force version.

    This is the 105 version £1999
    http://www.thetristore.com/product/cerv ... -2014.aspx

    This is the force version £2999
    http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Cervel ... -2014/2NI4
    Cervelo R3
    Giant TCR SL
    Ibis Tranny
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Tbf fair, rotor cranks are an upgrade and so are the Fulcrm 5's
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • EPO Delivery Man
    EPO Delivery Man Posts: 271
    Get the Cervelo.
  • djhermer
    djhermer Posts: 328
    EPO Delivery Man wrote:
    Get the Cervelo.

    Get the Cannondale.
  • junglist_matty
    junglist_matty Posts: 1,731
    When spending that much on a bike; I would imagine a key aspect is how good it makes you feel when you straddle it and rub your balls up and down the top tube whilst ;) at the salesman!
  • djhermer
    djhermer Posts: 328
    junglist_matty wrote:
    When spending that much on a bike; I would imagine a key aspect is how good it makes you feel when you straddle it and rub your balls up and down the top tube whilst ;) at the salesman!

    Indeed. The key is then being able to simulataneously rub your balls along the top tube whilst actually riding the thing. Ultimate stimulation of the kind difficult to replicate elsewhere!
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Well, the pair of you can consider yourselves on the "list of people I am not lending one of my bikes to"!

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