Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Cervelo s3 opinions

Hi all,looking at getting cervelo s3 and just wondering what people think about them ,my main concern is comfort over long distances,I know they have improved them with the thinner seat stays that is supposed to make them comfortable,also has anyone any thoughts on di2 is it worth the extra over ultegra 8000,if any s3 owners could share their views ,it would be much appreciated,my lbs works on pre order only so don't have a chance to test ride one,thanks in advance.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

10 comments

Avatar
MoutonDeMontagne | 6 years ago
0 likes

Depends how much you like the aero properties. I loved the R3/R5 because of the weight and the classic looks, and loved the speed of the S5. In the end went for a cannondale supersix hi mod which is crazy light and handles like a dream. I'd reccomend trying to take one for a spin if you've decided you fancy a fast race bike  1 

Avatar
Team EPO | 6 years ago
0 likes

Not sure where you are based road cycle exchange near Richmond park have a few for sale that you could try out.  I fancy the disc brake version...

 

https://roadcycleexchange.com/collections/disc/products/cervelo-s3-disc-...

Avatar
baz69 | 6 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for reply ,flexibility is ok ,weight wise 72kg,looked into a r3 as well as the s3 ,iam told frame dims are same and that either bike can be set up to approx dims as my roubaix,I got a pro bike set up done on roubaix which certainly made for a nice ride, 2 years on I contacted bike fitter ,he advised going for either model in a 56cm and he would be able to get a good set up using diff stems etc ,altough the s3 would be slightly more aggressive but not necessarily more uncomfortable,by chance I met a couple of lads out for a spin ,2 were on the s3 both are keen cyclists but certainly not racing ,mostly weekend spins ,both said comfortable over distances which was good to hear ,have to say iam smitten with the cervelo,maybe I need other suggestions to keep an open mind ,mmm maybe cube or cannondale ?.

Avatar
MoutonDeMontagne | 6 years ago
1 like

Rode an S5 on a demo day immediately after demoing an R5. It's fast, like properly fast, yet quite stable tho the 65mm rims and wind made the occasional gust 'exciting'. I was also amazed that it didn't shake me to bits and tbf didn't feel much different in the comfort stakes to the skinny seat-stayed R5. It did feel more planted than the R5 though which i found quite twitchy. If you're not massively flexy, then the low front end may not be quite so comfortable as the Roubaix after a few hours, but IME a well fitted race bike is more comfortable than a poorly fitted 'endurance' bike.  I think I'm right in that it'll take 28mm tyres so you can add a huge amount of comfort that way. 

I'll add the caveat that I only had it for an hour of blasting about, but when hopping off it and back onto my 'sportive' bike, I didn't notice much difference in the comfort stakes, only that I was going much slower. 

Avatar
Nixster | 6 years ago
1 like

Never ridden one but like you thought about getting one.  I think they look fantastic!

As well as the seat stays there is a new seat post intended to make the rear end more comfortable. However, they will only take 25mm tyres, so if you don't find it comfortable your options are very limited when it comes to doing something about it.  You will almost certainly find it less comfortable than your Roubaix.  The S3's a race bike and comfort is not its main priority.

Have you looked at the R3 if you want a Cervelo?  It takes wider tyres so can be made more comfortable if you don't get on with it in stock form.  It's probably got a wider range of uses too, being less specialised than the S3.  If you're not set on the brand there are many other options that give similar or better performance for less cash.

I don't have Di2 but I have both mechanical Ultegra and eTap.  The electronic shifting is nice and doesn't miss a shift like you might do if your fingers are cold/tired with mechanical.  Not trimming the front mech is also a boon.  But >90% of the time a well set up and adjusted mechanical system is just as good at moving the chain across the cogs.

 

Avatar
Lazereyes | 6 years ago
0 likes

S3 wont be great at great distance,compared to roubaix...

Roubaix is designed with long distance and comfort in mind, s3 is much less so.

Then you must also consider your body too, S3 is areo for a reason, if you're above certain weight i.e 75kg you're probably wasting money

Cervelo has all-around racing workhorse that is R3 both comfortable and very much areo, as well as C3, more gravel adventure bike

unless you're getting into triathlons and TT getting any areo bike won't give you flexibility for different roads and weather conditions.

 

 

I've recently had rental bike with Di2 Ultegra on it...

I could never justify buying one on my main bike, and to tell the truth i prefer mechanical gearing due to feel and feedback received on 80% of road situations.

I only found it useful on long climbs when my legs are giving up and i need quick gear shift, mechanical will have a longer throw to engage largest sprocket, with DI2 is a simple click, same goes for front shift, when engaging large chainring, simple click without palm gymanstics

 

After years of cycling with mechanical gruppo i am able to prepare gears before i need them, so di2 is more of a fun gimmick that i won't be investing in anytime soon...

 

 

A bit like division between manual and automatic gearboxes really... I live in a hilly area of london, that gets traffic 360 days a year, driving manual was driving me mad, so i bought automatic car simply for convience sake  1

 

Avatar
OrangeRidley | 6 years ago
0 likes

Just a note; isn't the S3 supposed to be an S5 front end but with a slightly less aero but more comfortable rear triangle?

Avatar
baz69 | 6 years ago
0 likes

Currently a 2015 specialized roubaix elite with shimano 105

Avatar
fenix | 6 years ago
0 likes

What are you riding now ?

Avatar
davel | 6 years ago
0 likes

So you pre-order one and don't get on with it... What happens then?

Latest Comments