Preparing to sell Aluminum Cervelo P3

The aluminum P3 still is a great bike. But it's getting to be quite, quite old by now. I assume that all components are original to the bike? If yes, then they will have quite a bit of wear and tear over the years. In the condition you describe it, I would expect to get around $500-800 for the bike (and it really all comes down to how well maintain it is).

I would agree that selling the wheel may be a good idea.

Regarding painting the bike... if you're going to pay for it, forget it, definitely not cost effective.

Those measurements doesn't sound correct at all... measure from center of bottom bracket to the intersection of the seat tube and top tube. Then measure from that intersection to the head tube. Inches won't be good enough... there's close to two bike size denominations difference between one inch...

Aww man, if it's a 51 I'm mega tempted...

Are the wheels 650c or 700c?

Generally selling the wheels with the bike isn't going to net you as much as selling them separate. Same with the components... you can usually sell the frame for as much as you can sell a whole bike a lot of times.

You can shoot an email to the guys at Cervelo, they can probably ID the size pretty quick (or give you the exact spots to measure for their chart)

Also, before you sell, consider that there aren't just a TON of bikes out there that are as slick in the wind as the old P3.

On the size I don't know what I screwed up; however I have been able to measure the head tube with a metric ruler at 12 cm matching the 51 P3Aluminum on 650cc size chart sent to me.

Yes most of the components are the same I bought it used with with the exception of the brand new front derailer.

I also would love to stay on the bike but am concerned about being the giant on the mini bike. I'm 5'11" likly growing to 6'1". To me investing in new aero bars is not worth the investment to still have a so so fit. Also considering that TriTown(my bike shop) is suggesting 56 Felt or Cervelo plus or minus a size that appears to be a big change. So I think I'm considering a newer P3 or a Felt DA or B12 in the 3k range.

Cervelo P3/P4 and the Felt DA in size 56 are very close, but the B-series has a different geometry. What really worries me is the suggestion of 56 plus minus one size... it's either the right fit or it's not, plus minus one size for a given bike won't work.

Knowing that you're still growing, if they would've said 56 P3 or DA, but you're close to the 58, so giving that you are moving towards that anyways, let's go to the 58, that would make sense...

How did they get to the specific size for the P3/DA to start with? Did you have a bike fit? If not, then it's a pure guess.... maybe a good one, maybe not, but still only a guess...

About the size ambiguity as I said I'm still in the beginning stages of preparing for a new bike. I had my current bike fitted at TriTown and know the mechanic well. He based the initial size guesstimate off what he already knows about me. Presuming I decide to take the plunge ill be taking test rides and getting a close look at what size the 56 is the ballpark to begin looking at.

However here is a conundrum I haven't understood yet;
A friend about my size (slightly taller) similar proportioned told me they felt cramped on the 56 but that the 58 was too big. They suggested the 56 because of some issue with riding long distances on a bike a little on the large side. Any idea how the whole aggressive stance works and why I might not want the 58. If the two frames fit me equally well or bad?

You can't go by your friends fit... even if you would be identical height. Take a look at the parameters that goes into a bike fit and it makes perfect sense why...

Interview, the fitter and the rider talks about things like athletic background, current race/ride distances,/terrain, future goals, current/previous injuries/issues, etc. Basically everything the fitter needs to know to understand you.

The measurements, body measurements, upper body, lower body, arm span, leg length (and differences between L/R), flexibility, core strength

The fit, either on your existing bike (if being re-fitted) or on a fit bike. The fitter will start off from either the existing fit parameters or set up approximate parameters based on the initial information gathered. Then using either the knowledge and the human eye, or in these days more commonly, some of of motion capture video equipment, the fitter will look for body movement (from side, back and front) and listen to the riders input until a perfect fit for YOU is achieved.

It's very unlikely that you and your friend will have identical body measurements even if you are the same height, and even more unlikely that you have the same flexibility, core strength, body discrepancies, athletic/injury/issues background, etc.

There's always the possibility that you are indeed in between two sizes... especially since you are still growing, going one size larger might be the suggestion of the fitter as long as it is reasonable, knowing that in a year or two it will be perfect. It could also be that the fitter doesn't think the 58 would work, so even though you will be taller in a year or two, you wouldn't be able to reasonably ride the larger frame now. I would highly recommend getting properly fitted and not buying based on (albeit slightly qualified, but far from perfect) input from the fitter of your old fit...

Edited by audiojan 2013-07-17 5:56 AM