Best bang for my buck... On a bike.
90
Member
1465 days
emzman posted 29 weeks ago.
What size do you ride? I have a 2008 Cervelo P2SL (small, 51) for sale for $1000. It has all Ultegra components.
20
Member
573 days
TriWahoo posted 29 weeks ago.
I'm interested to see what comes of this posting, as I too am looking at getting a Cervelo P1 for next season...currently I am riding a Giant entry level road bike.
For me though I would take the race wheels out of the equation...for a couple of reasons.
1) There will be other years where you can spend money, so I wouldn't buy a "lesser" bike so you could buy wheels, because then you will question later whether you should upgrade your bike again.
2) You can always rent race wheels for your big races.
The question comes down to whether you want the added benefits (albeit small) the p2 will give you. The P2 is carbon, the P1 is aluminum. The P2 is 100 grams less in weight.
For me, I think the P1 is going to be the best "bang for the buck" and after that I will see minimal returns. To me there comes a point where the added benefit is not worth the cost, and I think for where I am at, that is my determination between the two.
One last note, I don't think you can go wrong with either one, because either way you shouldn't have to hard a time trying to sell a used one.
183
Member
240 days
snail_male posted 29 weeks ago.
I'm certainly happy to have my 2008 P2 SL (now the P1) and am satisfied I didn't buy the P2C. Even if I could have afforded to do it, I think the diminishing returns would've been wasted on me and I'd likely benefit more spending the additional moolah on a few coaching sessions (which I'm starting into now)
A few hours learning better swim strokes and run strides coupled with a world-class "old -school" P1 will definitely make me faster than a 100g savings on the carbon frame.
Stephen
P.S. - now, if I won the lottery....
P.P.S. - re: your comment on running being your weakness: I've had weak/sore knees and running was a washout for me for years. Interestingly, as I've gotten into TTs on the Cervelo over the past year, and my legs/joints have fortified, I'm now running farther, healthier, than ever in my life. YMMV of course, but it really rocks as an anecdote.
27
Member
1608 days
gdtkona posted 29 weeks ago.
Best bang for the buck is to initially purchase the bike you want such that you do not look at other bikes with a bit of envy Otherwise you end up with two or more bikes. Hands down best one out there now is the Beyond Supernatural. This is in comparison with Specialized, Scott, Carbon P3, Aluminum P3, Lightspeed Saber. Rock Stable, lightweight, smooooooth.
145
Member
1491 days
csaf31 posted 29 weeks ago.
Take a look at the Felt S32. I have made a few changes to mine over the past few years such as different aerobars and some better wheels, which I use more for races. It's held up well for several years. I am not the best cyclist but I still manage a few age group podium finishes, including one a few weeks ago when I finished ahead of a dude on a P2 or P3 and his Zipp 606 wheelset who was also at least 5 years younger than me too. Remember it's 85% rider and 15% bike. Or at least that's what I am told.
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Member
211 days
pokeyrun posted 29 weeks ago.
Thanks for the feedback everyone, greatly appreciate it... Emzman, I'm a big ol' Clydesdale so a 51 won't quite cut it for me ;-).
I'm in the market for my first Tri bike and i'm hoping to get some feedback. I'm currently riding a road bike with aerobars that I had professionally fitted (specifically for Triathlons, making the best out of its limitations). My goal is to do my first ironman (Ironman Canada, 2010). I really like Cervelo's bikes and this is where I would like or rather, need some help... Spend the money on a P2 or purchase a P1 and get a solid set of race wheels? I've read other forums and have even thought about getting a good set of wheels for my road bike (some have commented on preferring a road bike for IMC). Running is certainly my weakness and I think a Tri bike will help. Any thoughts?