Cervelo R3

clu

Picked up my new bike yesterday and I absolutely love it. Ordered it in September and finally got my hands on it, been wanting a Cervelo for quite some time.



It' s a size 54 and I haven't changed any of the spec that it was supplied with (Ultegra 6800, etc...). The pedals are Look Keo 2 max. Will be fitting a pair of bottle cages when I get them.

Haven't been out on it yet, but I'm really looking forward to it.

tlw1

looks great, now get out and ride it!

napoleond

Looks like any other Cervelo. soooo dull to look at. Great bikes but, well, I just find them fugly. You'll enjoy the ride though that's fo' sho.

tim_wand

Has the new R3 not got the Squoval design from the R5 on it now.

Personally I love Cervelo's , You must have owned a few in your Time Nap? The rest of us can only aspire and Colin's P5 is probably the most radical looking bike I ve seen on here.

Still think the S5's are Fugly though.

napoleond

Still squoval, the photos don't really show it
I've only had an S2 and an R3. Quite fancy a T1 but a grand for an alloy track frame is ludicrous.

Pokerface

This has the new Squoval 3 tubing on it. Trickle down from the RCa.

I'm not a fan of the R3 paint job. I have my eye on a 2014 R5 though. My 2012 R5 VWD (Black/Silver), custom-drilled for Di2 is still the best road bike I've ever ridden.

itboffin

nice 8)

One day I hope to ride mine :roll:

Fatini999

I always love reading your comments NapoleonD... love them...

tim_wand

NapoleonD wrote:

Still squoval, the photos don't really show it
I've only had an S2 and an R3. Quite fancy a T1 but a grand for an alloy track frame is ludicrous.

Know someone who's selling a T1 (or an R5) to fund a R5Ca . Mate of Rob Muzios but hes a bit smaller than you Nap , Reckon the T1 would be a 54.

napoleond

I'm a 58

Anyhoo, we're digressing from the OP's glory!

clu

Thanks for all the comments. With all the different bikes available these days, you'll either like them or they just won't do anything for you.

For me this is my first new bike in a long time, last new bike I bought was back in 2004. I wanted a bike that was comfortable to ride particularly as the roads in the UK are not all that great. Sometimes I think I'm riding Paris-Roubaix on some of them because of the condition of them.

As far as I can see the frame design is pretty much the same as the R5 (As pokerface mentioned trickled down tech from the Rca), with the exception of the fork and frame (different carbon material I think).

I know the colour scheme used on bikes will be both hit and miss, but this is the first colour scheme for the R series bikes that I really like. I looked at the R5 and didn't like the finish of the frame, I'm not a fan of the matt type finish that seems to be common on bikes these days. Couldn't justify spending the extra money for the R5, even though it is a great bike.

Should be able to put the bike through it's paces over christmas as I will have plenty of spare time during the hols. I do work long hours during the week which limits my opportunity to ride it unfortunately.

napoleond

Get some 24 or 25mm tyres on there and the ride is great even on the crappest roads.

clu

Any recommendations for the tyres Nap.

napoleond

Conti gp4000s or Vittoria Open Pave. I find the contis are a little tougher but the ride isn't as nice.

clu

Thanks. I was considering replacing the tyres, that's the area they usually compromise on with new bikes.

wopy

Hi
I picked up my 2014 R3 the other day and took it out yesterday and couldn't get the smile off my face, its a great ride, i also ride an S5 and have bought this as i crashed the S5 and thought i would try the R series and i love it.
I'm sure you will be amazed as i was.
Xmas and happy riding

declan1

Clu wrote:

Thanks. I was considering replacing the tyres, that's the area they usually compromise on with new bikes.

Yup. Great bike you've got there! I love the R3/R5 look - as said above it's all down to personal taste but they look good to me!

First thing I would save up for is some light wheels - they would really bring out the low weight and stiffness of that frame - perhaps some Fulcrum Racing 1s or 0s!

clu

Hi wopy. Good choice on the R3, it is a terrific bike. I'm really enjoying mine like you are, quite a change in how it rides on the road from my previous bike. My R3 is so much better. Can your S5 still be ridden or was it a write off after the crash?

Declan, I have been thinking about a wheel upgrade for next year. Have been considering handbuilt wheels, in the past I've always gone down the factory option route. My other bike has Mavic Ksyrium Elites, I've been very happy with them and how they've performed. Not sure yet though what I'd go for, handbuilts or factory again. The Racing 1's and 0's are tempting though.

declan1

Clu wrote:

Hi wopy. Good choice on the R3, it is a terrific bike. I'm really enjoying mine like you are, quite a change in how it rides on the road from my previous bike. My R3 is so much better. Can your S5 still be ridden or was it a write off after the crash?

Declan, I have been thinking about a wheel upgrade for next year. Have been considering handbuilt wheels, in the past I've always gone down the factory option route. My other bike has Mavic Ksyrium Elites, I've been very happy with them and how they've performed. Not sure yet though what I'd go for, handbuilts or factory again. The Racing 1's and 0's are tempting though.

If you can get some lightweight handbuilts I'd go for them, but the Racing 1s are good (my dad has a set) as well. He's also getting a set of Racing 5s for Christmas!

wopy

Hi
My S5 is still at the bike shop in bits, i have had it checked out by a carbon specialist and he seems to think its ok but I'm waiting on the insurance company, hence in the meantime I've been out and got the R3.
The difference in the ride was quite staggeringly different i couldn't believe it and I'm still yet to upgrade the wheels which by all accounts makes a big difference. While we are on the subject any ideas on wheel upgrades, i do like mavics as i rode Mavic Carbon Cosmic SL,s on my S5.

Cheers

clu

That's bad luck on your S5, hopefully it'll be back on the road soon (or new frame perhaps) and you'll have two great bikes instead of just one.

Wheel choice is a tough one, which I'm finding too. I did think Dura Ace 9000 C24's would be a good choice as an upgrade if I went with the factory option. They seem to be well regarded by people who own them, they're both light, stiff and roll well.

I do understand though that wheels like these are essentially racing wheels and they've been built with that in mind. Although I'm a fairly light rider (63kgs when I last checked) they should be fine for someone like me.

You mention Mavic wheels, the only Mavic wheels I've used are the Ksyrium Elite and Equipe. I couldn't fault either of them. Although neither of these are really an upgrade from the current wheelset on the bike.

The Equipe wheels for me have been bomb proof, I've had them for years, done more than 15000 miles on them and they still roll and handle well. After all this time they're still running true as well.

Perhaps you could (or have?) fit your Cosmic SL's and see how they go, cervelo did incorporate an aero design into the frame of the R3. Perhaps do a search in the road buying advice for some recommendations.

cerv50

Nice looking 2014 R3 mate, I ride a 2013 Dark Edition R3 (really a 2013 R5 resprayed) as well as a 2012 S5 Team. Love them both but they have different ride characteristics. The S just wants to go fast all the time where the R likes to take it easy now and again lol

Enjoy your riding over the holiday period

wopy

Cheers for that lads
Have a good xmas