Favorite Ride: a mountainous ride east of the 15 in San Diego
Summary: I built this Cervelo myself, buying the frame from a local shop and the Chorus/Centaur gruppo from Competitive Cyclist. I used to ride a traditional geometry steel Lemond so this bike initially felt very twitchy with its lighter aluminum compact frame and lower center of gravity. But I quickly got used to it and once I put Zipp 404s on it - it was transformed to this incredibly stiff criterium racing bike that is simply unbelievable for the value. I've crashed it a handful of times and the frame is solid. Unfortunately I did damage the beautiful Campy components - which to me makes me realize the striking deal this bike is when you buy it complete with an FSA/Ultegra mix! Buy the bike complete and its turnkey.
Strengths: Stiff! I am a 150lb competitive cat 4 crit racer in SoCal and I've never felt like I lost a race because of this bike. When you pair the frame with a deepdish wheel like a 404 - be prepared to slice through the air and up the hills! Weight is 15.8 lbs with the 404s.
Weaknesses: Stiff! Don't buy this for long rides.
That's why I keep my 853 Lemond.
Similar Products Used: Lemond Tourmalet, Bianchi Pista (track bike), and this bike is twitchier and lighter than both. Even with my Campy Vento training wheels hanging off it (17lbs).
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Bike Setup: Full Ultegra components. Carbon fork and seat-post. Keo sprint pedals. Spinergy PBO Stealth wheels. Conti GP4000S tires.
Summary: Ok, I have now owned this bike for one year and have put about 2500 miles on it. I did a lot of research into bikes of this price range and the Cervelo kept coming up. I couldn't be happier with my choice. This bike loves to be ridden fast and hard. It is stiff, but with the carbon fork and carbon seat-post it doesn't make the ride unbearable. I have yet to scratch the bike even though it has fallen a few times. It is just a bomber bike and just perfect for the average racer/enthusiast. Oh, one thing that does bother me and has been mentioned here many many times is how noisy the bike is. It is very noisy. Not a huge deal to me, but it gives me away when I'm about to pass people. :-)
Strengths: Good components. Carbon seat-post and fork are very nice. Bomber frame. Climbs and descends very well.
Weaknesses: Hate the R-550 wheels. Noisy bike. The tires standard on the bike were race tires and prone to a bit more flats.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Tarmac
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Bike Setup: Full Ultegra Drivetrain
Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium Wheelset
FSA Wing Pro Bar with OS-115 Stem
Keo Sprint Pedals
Selle Italia SLK Gel Flow Saddle
Blackburn Carbon Bottle Cages
Cateye Strada Cadence Cycle Computer
Sci'Con 480 Saddle Bag
Summary: After 500-miles of riding the soloist I'm convinced that it is the best bike in a class that goess well above its price range. The aero frameset is fast and stiff but still surprisingly compliant over rough roads. Cervelo puts a lot of engineering behind they're products and it shows even in their entry level bike.
Strengths: Fast, stiff, and aerodynamic. The Soloist goes exactly where you tell it and confidently carves through the corners.
Weaknesses: None. Some might say the frame cable routing makes a little bit of chatter but I'm too busy attacking to notice ;)
Similar Products Used: Test Rode the Specialized Tarmac Expert and Scott CR-Pro prior to purchasing the Soloist. Previous bike was a Motobecane Vent Noir (yeah, you can say the Solist is a little upgrade).
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Bike Setup: 58cm Soloist Team
Dura Ace 10sp
Ritchey stem
Easton bars
Chris King hubs
SpeedCific Nio30 rims
Michelin Pro Race2 tires
Time RXS pedals
Specialized Toupe saddle
Summary: I've been racing/riding road for 15+ years, always on Cannondale frames. I'm 6'3" and 170 lb. I always rode C-dale because they were known as good tall guy bikes. Last year when I was looking for a new one, I went with the Soloist because of the value, great reviews, great feeling during a test ride, and others who have them and simply love them (and C-dale had gotten more expensive but not that I could tell much better, just more costly). I have never ridden a bike that feels this great. It simply does everything well. The reviews and write ups where people gush about the bike are all true. You can't get a bike with this pro-level feel to it for $2000 (the list on the Ultegra one) other than this bike. If you are thinking about it, just buy it and try to wipe the grin off your face. I don't usually put stock in Bicycling Magazine, but when they said in their review of this bike that it "feels like a free tailwind was thrown in with the purchase", they were spot-on. I have not had much issue with the cable rattle. I get a little at the head tube, but a bit of cloth tape or foam around the cables shuts that up. Too bad there isn't a 10 out of 5 on the Value rating!
Strengths: This bike does everything well and is a super value. I dare you to find a frameset this good (and including HS and carbon seatpost) for the $1300 list of this one! I'm not overstating my love for this bike, nor do I work for Cervelo or any of their affiliates. I would buy another one in a hearbeat and probably would stick with the Al one even if I could afford carbon. (My choice at the time was Al w/ new DA parts or carbon and recycle my aging 9 sp parts.)
Weaknesses: I can't ride every day! Seriously, if there is a weakness I have not found it. Be aware the aero tubes can be noticeable in a crosswind. To me that isn't a weakness since I have the aero benefit of those tubes most of the time.
Similar Products Used: Various Cannondales owned in the last 15 years. Many other bikes test ridden or borrowed from friends to try out.
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