Why are Cervelos so inexpensive (relatively)?

Well, technically they are not cheap.  $4800 for a frameset is not cheap.  The $6800 price they are saying with SRAM Red probably has a very cheap wheelset attached to it, plus they don't tell you the full component lineup.  Throw on some Zipp 404 or 1080s and the prices goes up to $8800 easily. .if not more. 

For comparison: 

Specialized S-Works Transition Frameset 2009:  $3600

Orbea Ordu Frameset 2009: $3149

and so on. .

 So they are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.  Are they a good value?  For some of them yes, for some, it is up to the buyer/rider. 

North america needs more GOOD entry level tri-bikes, nvm these top quality TT wallet rapers.... each company should have:

4 Sub$2000 Bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-2 $2000-$5000 bikes

1-2 $5000+ Bikes...

1- Million dollar ride

Why when they don't need to have them?  How exactly would they provide 4 $2000 bikes?  It would be a poor business decision to produce that many different 'cheaper' frames. How would they differ?  Companies don't generally want to sell crap and I think they would have to sell a lesser bike to provide that many at the lower end of the cost scale.

As it is now you can just buy the frameset and build them how you like. That saves pretty good cheese I hear.

Yeah i guess you do make sense...1 not so good frame is a good idea, but there are not very many good tri bikes under $2000.... im going for the p2sl ultegra...not changing my mind either....

I think what i really meant is way more different paint jobs...i hate having the same bike and paint as others.

You do realize you can have a bike painted any color you wish, right?

To the OP.  I'm thinking volume, really....  Cervelo has a niche figured out, tried and true designs, and the make a BUNCH.  They have the automation figured out and in place to crank out frames a little cheaper, can buy in bulk when it comes to components.

All this probably gets passed down to the consumer in one way or the other.

You get a lot bang for the buck....

PS I LOVE my P2C.

Next up, a P3 or P4, or P10, when I finally get around to getting a new ride...

I put camo vinyl decals you get for cars all over my old P.O.S tri bike.  It sure made it stand out!  It was urban camo and actually looked pretty cool from a distance.  Only cost 40 bucks.