Cevelo Soloist as a tri bike?
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Extreme Veteran![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Is anyone using the Soloist as their tri bike? Whould you recommend using it? I am struggling with how much I would use a pure tri bike like a P2C. I live in upstate NY and ride about 3000 miles a year on hilly terrain. I'm not sure it makes sense to buy a bike specifically for 300 miles worth of triathlon riding as opposed to the other 2700 miles. The advantage the Soloist has is the aero tubes and the adjustable seat. I think other than that it is pure road geometry. Your thoughts? chevy57
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'm a fan of the soloist, sounds like it would be a good choice for you with a road bar set up with clip-ons for aero |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Wellington won Ironman Korea on a Soloist I believe. A friend of mine has one and loves it. Are you thinking carbon or the team aluminum? |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'm looking at the Soloist, too. I test rode both the Team and the Carbon. Even though it was a short test ride, I have to say the Carbon certainly felt nicer than the Team did. But I can't say for sure that it felt $3k nicer, than the aluminum Team... ![]() |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() If you like the bike and can only own one bike then go for it. The Soloist has a great reputation. I don't know what your speed is like, but if you're really fast a tri bike makes more sense in races. But if not then a road bike makes for sense from a practical perspective and a Cervelo already has major street cred. |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I own a Cervelo Team Soloist. I have used it for 3.5 years as a TRI/ TT bike as well as a road bike. It works well in both configurations in my opinion. I have over 13000 miles on it without a single issue. With the seatpost clamp in the foward position along with clip-on aerobars I have done 7 triathlons (sprint/Olys so far). I have competed in over 20 Time Trials in state senior olympics. I have done 10 centuries (metric and full) on it in the road bike configuration. With a second seat clamp and saddle, I can switch from one configuration to the other in less then 10 minutes which is great when I compete at senior olympics cycling events that have both TT and road races on the same day. I only need to take one bike. I ride a lot of miles and use both configurations depending on the time of year and what type of training I am doing. I got fitted in both positions on the bike. The fitter was surpriosed that nothing had to be adjusted when I switched from one configuration to the other. Cervelo's frame design is that good. I am using a set of Easton Circuit wheels for both configurations. I may upgrade to a set of aero wheels someday, but I doubt if I will ever be fast enough to warrant getting a separate Tri/TT bike. If it will fits you, It is one heck of bike that will last you for a long time. |
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Extreme Veteran![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Guys, This is exactly the feedback I was looking for. I am thinking the team (aluminum) as I really struggle with shelling out $5K for a bike. I found a brand new 08 Team Soloist Ultegra for $1850. As far as my speeds go my fastest ave speed was 20.4 MPH on a 17 mile TT. I can hold 20 MPH for 30 to 50 miles realatively flat. I have also upgraded to Easton Circuits on my Trek. I did my first Tri last Saturday and loved it and am planning many more, however I belong to a local road race club and ride group rides once a week with some guys from work. I wanted some feedback from people actually using the equipment for both purposes. I don't understand why Cervelo offers the P2C TT bike for $2500 in carbon and $5000 for the Solist Carbon. I understand the geometry is different, but it doesn't cost more to make the P2C geometry than the soloist. I guess it is all marketing. chevy57
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I have the Team Soloist and love it both for road bike and as a TRI setup definitely a great choice to go with |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I want a Cervelo Soloist Team so bad I can't stand it... but the Trek 1500 will have to do for awhile..... 2 teenagers and the bills are not going away yet.... ![]() |
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New user![]() | ![]() Hi Craig, I am a 63 year old with a Soloist Team set up for the road. Your comments on the bike's usefullness has me interested in setting mine up for my first sprint Tri next year with an aero front end. I currently have Easton Circuit wheels and a triple crank for road use. Thinking of going to a compact crank like everyone seems to be at these days. Any advice you can offer is very much appreciated. Regards, Steve Fuhrer [email protected] |
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Master![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() chevy57 - 2008-08-07 6:19 AM Actually, in my opinion, I agree with you - the Cervelo P2C (I ride this) is remarkably "underpriced" for the entire Cervelo lineup.The pure-road Cervelo S1-S3s all have the same carbon fiber, same aero design, and even same components. Yet an Ultegra S2 roadbike will cost you $3500+ if not $4000+, where as a P2C Ultegra will be $2700. I posted this on a road bike forum, and consensus was that there was no compromise in the P2C materials/engineering, but that fewer people would be willing to pay so much for a TT bike with limited use. Of course, except for us triathletes!It's really hard to beat the P2C for price/performance/bling. I'd seriously consider it over the Carbon soloist for the price alone, unless you really need a pure roadie for group rides. I ride my P2C in almost exclusively mountain territory with 5000+ft of climbing every Sat, and I've had no problems with it, and outclimb most roadies on road bikes.A soloist for $1850 ultegra seems like a solid deal though. My friend rides a $500 used aluminum Cervelo TT bike from 2000 and has no problems keeping up.Guys, This is exactly the feedback I was looking for. I am thinking the team (aluminum) as I really struggle with shelling out $5K for a bike. I found a brand new 08 Team Soloist Ultegra for $1850. As far as my speeds go my fastest ave speed was 20.4 MPH on a 17 mile TT. I can hold 20 MPH for 30 to 50 miles realatively flat. I have also upgraded to Easton Circuits on my Trek. I did my first Tri last Saturday and loved it and am planning many more, however I belong to a local road race club and ride group rides once a week with some guys from work. I wanted some feedback from people actually using the equipment for both purposes. I don't understand why Cervelo offers the P2C TT bike for $2500 in carbon and $5000 for the Solist Carbon. I understand the geometry is different, but it doesn't cost more to make the P2C geometry than the soloist. I guess it is all marketing. chevy57
Edited by agarose2000 2009-08-23 12:26 PM |
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Member ![]() ![]() | ![]() I've been riding a Team Soloist (normal road setup) since April. I can't comment on the TT setup as I haven't tried yet, but I've been very happy with it as a road bike with no issues. |