Favorite Ride: Hills, because I am at a disadvantage
Bike Setup: Cervelo R3 white, seatpost and fork, standard. Shimano DA 7800. Ceramic BB unit. FSA K-Force Handlebar. Cervelo White tape. FSA OS-115 white stem. Look Keo Carbon pedals. Mavic Ksyrium SL wheelset. Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX tires. Salsa Ti Skewers. Fizik Aliante Ti. Arundel Trident Carbon bottle cages. Assos Water bottles. Avocet computer, mounted on stem.
Summary: The review is for a white, 2008 cervelo r3 61cm. I am 6'3", 190 lbs+/-. I have been riding this bike for the past 3 months, and I have put in a little over 2k miles on it. I will not state that this is the ultimate frame, since I have not been privy to audition every frame out there. However, I do research, and my hobbies are not exempt from it. What you have read about this frame, is accurate. This frame is about performance. It will push you to what you thought were your capabilities, and beyond. If I had to do this over again, I would chose the exact same frame, but chose the 59', and a longer stem. Do try out different frame sizes, and even compare to the SLC SL. Exact same geometry, but different feel altogether. Pick your minimal compromises. If you are pedestrian enough to consider price, then it is a no-brainer. Locate your nearest Cervelo dealer, and pick the one model best suited to you. The price/performance ratio cannot be beat. Oh, and the lust factor you will inspire in others....
Strengths: It is simply amazing.. It is light, stiff, and comfortable. It will take you to the next level, simply because you will feel obligated to do it.
Weaknesses: Does not have internal combustion somewhere in the down-tube to make the power generated by your legs more efficient.
Similar Products Used: Based on my review, it would be an insult to name any product. I have used/compared many of the top-end usual makers.
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Summary: I currently own two steel Cervelos', a Prodigy and Super Prodigy. I have loved riding them both. The Super Prodigy is a lighter version of the original Prodigy. Both are great riding bikes. I've been lusting after the Cervelo carbon bikes since they were first introduced. I put off buying one because of the cost mostly and besides I liked the ride of the other bikes just fine. Well, I fell into a little extra cash...the stars aligned and I found a 2007 R3 while on vacation. I bought it about 3 days ago. The bike really is amazing. I knew I liked the other bikes, but this is really is a pro quality bike. Because of the massive chain stays, I thought the bike would be uncomfortable and harsh. It's so much smoother than my Super Prodigy that today after riding for 3 hours I had to make myself stop because I needed to get some food in me. Those cliche terms like stiff, yet comfortable...handling being telepathic...etc. are all true with this bike. I have never ridden anything more stable downhill, or with quicker acceleration than the Cervelo R3. My bike is built with Ultegra components which work just great for me. I don't care about a few extra grams in the shifters and derailleurs. The one thing I switched right away were the Shimano r550 wheels. They're a bit on the heavy side and I switched them for a pair of Eastons I had on another bike. I've had many bikes over the years and never had anything that was such a pure pleasure to ride. I wasn't sure about the Selle Italia SLR xp saddle, but it actually feels pretty good. Comes equiped with Vittoria light weight tires. I switched those for Michelin Pro Race tires.
Strengths: Great components. Speed. Agility going downhill. Feels completely solid when cornering downhill. Cornering...like it's on rails. ( Yes, I said it, like it's on rails.)
Weaknesses: I can't find a single flaw with the bike. Component issues are really non-issues, more personal preferences.
Similar Products Used: Titus Modena, Cervelo Prodigy, Cervelo Super Prodigy, Rivendel, Bridgestone RB1,Wilier Alpe d'huez,
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Bike Setup: Ultegra/Dura Ace mix, Fulcrum Racing 3's, FSA Compact bar, Easton EC90 SLX fork, Fizik Arione, Michelin Pro 2's
Summary: What a super bike! I'm 6'4 210lbs and wanted a bike that could handle my size and weight, that was stiff for climbing the mountains here in North Carolina. With the stiff bottom bracket and superlarge chainstays this bike transfers power where it needs to be. It's responsive at the go, handles 50mph descents without any issues,tracks great and has great road feel. I test road other carbon frame bikes that just felt dead in the saddle. I have to say thanks to Roadbike Review for all the reviews in helping me make my choice. This kind of money for a frameset doesn't grow on trees for me and I haven't regretted the purchase one second. My friends comment on the thin seat stays (which give it a very comfortable ride) and have expressed a lot of bike envy. With the FSA compact bar I can't believe how comfortable I am in the drops. I've put 1000 miles on it three months with nary a problem. If this bike was destroyed in a crash I'd buy another one just like it.
Strengths: Super stiff, sub 1000 gram frame, great paint, responsive, very comfortable ride whether on an easy 30 or a century.
Weaknesses: Makes my friends jealous
Similar Products Used: Tarmac SL2, Cannondale System Six, Scott CR1
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Summary: Nothing short of a amazing. Comfortable and smooth for all day rides yet a lively responsive bike.
Because of the massive bottom bracket and chain stay the transfer of power from leg to ground is amazing.
Climbs like a dream, too. In part because it is so light. Sometimes when I walk by it in my basement I just have to pick it up because I still can't believe a bike could be so light.
This bike also handles the rough roads very well. I dont avoid the bumps, man hole covers like I do on other bikes.
Tested other bikes like Trek and Specialized that were more in my price range but this bike stood out so much better thany thing else I bit the bullet and havn't been sorry since.
If you can afford it, buy it.
If you can't afford it, like me, buy it anyway. You wont be sorry.
Strengths: Speedy, sweet bike. Climbs like a dream. Comfortable.
Turns heads (really, people are always admiring this bike))
Weaknesses: Pricey.
Forget Ultegra. Go with Dura Ace, worth the extra $$$
Similar Products Used: Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Colonogo...tested.
Own KHS, Torelli
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Bike Setup: Easton Circuits, Ultegra throughout except for FSA SLK crank.
Summary: I love this bike because it is light AND tough AND comfortable -- a very rare combination. I am a 250lb Clydesdale. I am very hard on equipment and put a lot of power through the crank: it's the only way to move 250lb of lard. This bike takes it all without lateral flexing and has still carried me over two thousand miles of wretched surfaces (Sheridan Road, anyone?) without shaking itself or its owner to pieces. It is a real joy to ride, particularly up those vile Wisconsin hills where the light weight and stiffness really come into their own. My weight combined with high speed turns usually cause bike frames an immense amount of grief but this bike takes curving 40 mph descents in its stride. Very impressive for a light bike. One caveat about that, though. If you are my weight and are simply coasting upright down a fast hill, the front wheel will start to flutter at about 35mph. Stay in the drops and it's not a problem but it's something us fatties need to be aware of.
I'm sure there are faster bikes out there, like the Cervelo Soloists, but not many -- and even fewer that I wouldn't have broken by now. If you're a big, powerful rider I can't think of a better bike, and if you're of a more svelte physique you could do a helluva lot worse.
Strengths: An unbelievably competent frame that has been engineered rather than styled.
Weaknesses: The "cheap" ultegra version I bought came equipped with entry level Easton Vista wheels. I know Cervelo is trying to hit a particular price point but this is too much. It's like building a racing saddle and then slinging it on the back of a donkey.
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