Cervelo P2 vs P3

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2011-05-07 9:17 AM


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Subject: Cervelo P2 vs P3

Hi

I am looking to buy my first tri bike as i've out gown the road bike + aero bar clip-ons phase.

I was certain I wanted a Cervelo P2 but once in the shop I saw the P3. My budget will streach as far as the P3 but i am a bit reluctant. I would like to know if anyone knows whether the extra money is worth it? I dont want to upgrade in the future so will i be satisfied with the bike for the rest of time doing olympic to ironman distance races? (I am rather competitive in the race scene, however still quite new:P)

Also I know Chrissie Wellington uses a P3 but I was wondering if any other athletes have had success with the P2. 

Thank you for any advise given

2011-05-07 4:36 PM
in reply to: #3486579

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P2 vs P3
Chrissie rode a p2 now she is on a cannondale. I bought a p2c for the higher headtube. If you are ultra flexible or have more normal proportions than get the p3, this way u will never wonder whtif! John.
2011-05-07 5:03 PM
in reply to: #3486944

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P2 vs P3

Unless you are a TT specialist, you probably won't get any appreciable gains from a P2 to a P3...  It will gain you seconds over a 40k, but is that worth the extra 1200?  Everyone has their own answer to that.  The P3 is technically a faster bike...  But marginally.  But this is also a sport where people drop thousands on wheels, hundreds on earo helmets, etc, just too eek out a few seconds.

BTW, this is coming from someone who had a P2 (and loved it) and moved up to a P3.  Why?  Well, I had a fluke frame issue after a season, and Cervelo offered me a free frame replacement, so I took the opportunity to pay the difference, and get the P3 frame.  The P3 was always a "dream bike" of mine, so it was basically the "cool factor" that pushed my decision.  Am I that much faster?  Well, I can't really tell.  I did set some of my best times on the P3, but I also lost weight and got more fit.  But I have a bike that I look at in the garage, and it just makes me smile...

2011-05-09 7:01 AM
in reply to: #3486981

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P2 vs P3
Was in the same position around X-mas last year and went with the P3.  For me the differentiator was how it felt during the test ride.  I tested a P2 and then went with a P3 DA and there was no question for me that the P3 just felt locked in and what I wanted in a tri bike. I ultimately went with P3 Ultegra and just love it.  In my mind, I figured that this was the bike I would have for the long haul so why not go with a ride that can support for me many years.  If you are going to put down that much coin for a bike, you better just love it.  That said, you can't go wrong with a P2 and nice set of wheels.
2011-05-09 8:16 AM
in reply to: #3486579

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P2 vs P3
donki - 2011-05-07 9:17 AM

Hi

I am looking to buy my first tri bike as i've out gown the road bike + aero bar clip-ons phase.

I was certain I wanted a Cervelo P2 but once in the shop I saw the P3. My budget will streach as far as the P3 but i am a bit reluctant. I would like to know if anyone knows whether the extra money is worth it? I dont want to upgrade in the future so will i be satisfied with the bike for the rest of time doing olympic to ironman distance races? (I am rather competitive in the race scene, however still quite new:P)

Also I know Chrissie Wellington uses a P3 but I was wondering if any other athletes have had success with the P2. 

Thank you for any advise given



Very simple answer to your question: If you can ride the P3 with no spacers and a flat stem, then get it. If you can't, then get on a P2. I see way too many people on P3s with lots of spacers and/or high angled stems and it just makes no sense.
2011-05-09 8:19 AM
in reply to: #3488837

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P2 vs P3
rcntly4298 - 2011-05-09 9:16 AM

donki - 2011-05-07 9:17 AM

Hi

I am looking to buy my first tri bike as i've out gown the road bike + aero bar clip-ons phase.

I was certain I wanted a Cervelo P2 but once in the shop I saw the P3. My budget will streach as far as the P3 but i am a bit reluctant. I would like to know if anyone knows whether the extra money is worth it? I dont want to upgrade in the future so will i be satisfied with the bike for the rest of time doing olympic to ironman distance races? (I am rather competitive in the race scene, however still quite new:P)

Also I know Chrissie Wellington uses a P3 but I was wondering if any other athletes have had success with the P2. 

Thank you for any advise given



Very simple answer to your question: If you can ride the P3 with no spacers and a flat stem, then get it. If you can't, then get on a P2. I see way too many people on P3s with lots of spacers and/or high angled stems and it just makes no sense.


This ^^^^^

2011-05-09 9:25 AM
in reply to: #3486579

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P2 vs P3

Chrissie never used a p3, she used a P2 but is on a cannondale now.

 

As these are expensive bikes, I would do the work to figure out how much stack  you actually need for your ideal position. Some people will not be able to make use of the low head tube on a P3, and adding the spacers to bring the bars up can actually offset the aero benefit of the P3's better rear wheel coverage. This negates the extra expense!

so if there is a size of p3 that will fit you without spacers, go for it, otherwise in many sizes the p2 may be a better bike.

 they are absolutely identical other than the head tube length in some sizes, and the seat tube.



Edited by jackmott 2011-05-09 9:26 AM
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