Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra Di2 2017

7
£6,199.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Faster, stiffer and more responsive than the rim brake version, but comfort is sacrificed
Weight: 
8,400g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Aero performance meets disc brake stopping power with Cervélo's S3 Disc. If you want an aerodynamic road bike with disc brakes, you now have a few options to choose from, a significant increase from just a few years ago. The Cervélo S3 Disc is a fast choice: it has an insatiable appetite for speed and razor-sharp handling, but the ride is far from smooth.

Canadian brand Cervélo has long been at the forefront of aerodynamics. Its Soloist was arguably the first aero road bike and spawned many imitations over the years. Its aero road bike range is now spearheaded by the S5, the choice of Mark Cavendish, and is its most aerodynamic offering.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The S3 trades some of that aero-ness for a more rounded package that balances weight, stiffness and comfort. And now it's available with disc brakes, as the company slowly but surely rolls out more disc brake options – first with the R3 Disc then the all-new C5 endurance model.

Frame design

Rather than just slap on a set, Cervélo has reimagined the S3 Disc to smooth out any penalties that might occur from adding disc brakes. The result is a frame that Cervélo claims is 9% stiffer, more aerodynamic to the tune of a 2-watt saving, and lighter by as much as 40g compared with the regular rim brake model. Small numbers they might be, but to have a disc brake bike that is lighter, stiffer and more aero than the same bike with rim brakes is impressive.

Cervelo S3 Disc.jpg

"We've taken everything that makes the S3 such an aero class leader and made it stronger, stiffer and ultimately, faster," says Cervélo. "Cervélo only launches a new bike when significant performance gains have been made, and by integrating our disc-brake technologies into the world championship-winning S3 we have done exactly that."

There are the now standard 12mm thru-axles at the fork and rear dropouts, coupled with flat mount disc brake callipers. The switch from quick release to 12mm thru-axles has, unsurprisingly, resulted in more stiffness. Cervélo says there's an 8% increase in head tube stiffness and 9% bottom bracket stiffness.

Cervelo S3 Disc - rear disc brake.jpg

Another benefit of going to disc brakes is increased tyre clearance, with 25mm tyres fitting with ease (though it's specced with 23mm). You may wonder why not wider, but remember this is a race bike not an endurance bike, and 25mm is still the current standard for race bikes in the professional peloton (and where pros lead, amateurs faithfully follow).

Cervelo S3 Disc - fork clearance.jpg

Because disc brakes do undoubtedly add drag to a bike, Cervélo has focused on reshaping the frame to ensure it can level out the aero penalty. It has refined some of the key profiles to help the bike slice through the air more cleanly. Most of the saving comes at the front, with a redesigned fork, because it's the frontal surface area of the bike that is critical to good aero performance. Cervélo has reshaped the profile of the fork blades to reduce air pressure around the back of the crown and improve airflow.

Cervelo S3 Disc - fork.jpg

At the other end of the bike, the seatstays and chainstays have been completely redesigned, taking lessons from the Rca and R3 Disc frame, along with new dropouts that accommodate the standard 142x12mm thru-axle setup. One thing that remains the same is the Dropped Downtube – with a chopped tail and the water bottles partially shielded from the airflow.

Cervelo S3 Disc - rear.jpg

The result – as I said earlier, and according to Cervélo's claim – is a bike that's more aero than the rim brake version it's based on. Cervélo isn't alone in achieving this: Specialized has produced similar findings with the disc version of its Venge ViAS. So while disc brakes do add drag, savings can be made in the frame.

Internally routing the cables reduces drag, and here the hydraulic disc brake hoses are also hidden inside the fork and frame, only reappearing just before reaching the brake callipers. The cable routing has been future-proofed so any current or future groupset should fit with no problem. Because of the skinny aero shaped seat tube, the Di2 battery is concealed inside the down tube, with the added benefit of keeping the weight low in the frame.

Cervelo S3 Disc - cable route.jpg

The list of changes is impressive, but one area I'd like to see Cervélo improve is in its choice of 12mm thru-axles – the levers are large and ugly and there are more aesthetically pleasing options available. It's the one wrinkle on an otherwise good looking setup.

Cervelo S3 Disc - front hub.jpg

Away from the headline changes, there are some familiar Cervélo features: the BBRight asymmetrical bottom bracket, which is 11mm wider on the non-drive side and identical to BB30 on the drive side to make the frame tubes as wide as they possibly can be; there's also a tapered head tube, carbon fibre dropouts, and the aero seatpost is secured in place via an internal seatclamp.

Cervelo S3 Disc - bottom bracket.jpg

Ride and handling

There's no doubting that all the development that has gone into new Cervélo S3 Disc has resulted in a bike that offers truly scintillating pace when you stand on the pedals. The high level of stiffness is detectable when you push the bike into a corner or leap out of the saddle to cover an attack; it responds with virtually no lag or hesitation.

Its mix of ultra-sharp responsiveness and pure speed is intoxicating. Pace comes easily to the S3 Disc and it winds up superbly, the speed ratcheting up with the sort of acceleration that only comes from the stiffest and more aero road bikes. Get into a fast pace line and the bike feels right at home, stable at high speed even in gusty conditions, and nimble enough to react to sudden changes of direction.

Cervelo S3 Disc - riding 2.jpg

It's clearly a bike made for racing and riding extremely fast, and its razor-sharp handling demands that you have your wits about you. The geometry promotes a very head down position ideal for charging along at full gas. It's definitely not a bike for cruising around the lanes admiring the views and talking about the cricket.

It's right up there with the fastest aero bikes like the Specialized Venge, Canyon Aeroad and Trek Madone. Of course, road.cc has no wind tunnel to independently test aero products, but it's clear from my testing on familiar roads and set loops using power and heart rate data that the Cervélo S3 Disc is up there with the other aero bikes I've tested.

> Buyer's Guide: 16 of the best aero road bikes

Where the S3 Disc comes unstuck is in how it copes with rough road surfaces. While the aero gains are highly appreciated when you're riding flat out, attacking and hanging onto a fast group, it's simply too harsh on anything but a billiard smooth road surface. It's a jarring ride, and will have your fillings working loose on a long ride. It's such a shame as it's a flaw that makes the bike a little too demanding to live with on a daily basis – it feels like strapping on a rocket when all you want to do is go for a steady ride.

Cervelo S3 Disc - riding 3.jpg

In an effort to improve comfort, I swapped the 23mm tyres for 25s (on Roval CLX 50 wheels that I'm currently testing) and ran them at a lower pressure. It made a small measure of difference but the overriding sensation was still one of a hard and overly firm ride on anything but the smoothest tarmac. And around where I live there isn't much of that at all.

And that's a real shame because the speed and responsiveness provide a real thrill for anyone who likes to ride fast, with the added security of brakes that work in all conditions. I suspect the unique 'hammerhead' handlebar might be contributing to the front-end harshness, and a change there would be an interesting comparison, but this is the bar it's sold with and there are only so many changes you can make while testing.

Cervelo S3 Disc - bars.jpg

Compared with the Canyon Aeroad or Specialized Venge, the S3 Disc just isn't as accomplished at dealing with badly surfaced roads. There's little to separate the three bikes when it comes to pure speed and sprinting prowess, and each would be a fantastic race bike, but the Canyon and Specialized easily shade the Cervélo in how composed they are away from the smoothness of a dedicated race circuit, providing a more rounded package for when you don't have a number pinned to your jersey.

Equipment

You have a choice of two full builds: mechanical Ultegra with HED wheels for £4,249, or the bike tested costing £6,199, which upgrades the groupset to Ultegra Di2 with R785 brake levers and RS805 flat mount disc callipers with 160mm rotors.

Cervelo S3 Disc - bar and shifter.jpg

The crankset deviates from the Shimano theme: a carbon fibre FSA SLK 52/36t specially adapted with a 5mm offset to provide the correct chainline with the S3 Disc's short 405mm chainstays. A KMC chain and 11-28t Ultegra cassette complete the groupset specification.

Cervelo S3 Disc - drivetrain.jpg

No expense is spared with the wheels. US-made Enve SES 3.4 wheels (not the brand new ones that have been launched this year though) certainly look the business and provide top-level performance, with a high degree of stiffness and superb aerodynamics. They're not the deepest rim that Enve offers, but the 1,421g weight is an added bonus when the road points up, contributing to the bike's all-round performance.

They're fitted with 23mm Continental Grand Sport Race tyres, but given there's space in the frame for 25mm tyres I'd seriously recommend upgrading them to eke out a bit more comfort. The Grand Sport Race is a mid-range tyre that doesn't cost the earth thanks to Conti's PureGrip compound, which makes the tyres more affordable than the excellent BlackChilli rubber. Rolling speed is good, traction is good in the dry and okay in the damp, and puncture protection is adequate. Still, good as they are, I'd rather see Continental's best tyres at this price – it's no place for skimping.

Cervelo S3 Disc - tyre.jpg

The bike is finished with a comfortable Fizik Antares saddle and FSA SL-K stem, and the slightly mad looking Cervélo Aero handlebar. Aero handlebars are all the rage right now and a common addition to an aero bike, as reducing frontal surface area is key to reducing drag.

Cervelo S3 Disc - bar detail.jpg

Rather than opt for a one-piece bar and stem and accept its limitations in terms of adjustability, Cervélo developed an aero bar that fits a regular stem. That means you can easily change the stem length to suit, but does result in the odd 'hammerhead' looks. I didn't find the top of the bar the most comfortable place to lean my hands on either; maybe it's better if you have spades for hands.

Conclusion

There's a lot to like about the Cervélo S3 Disc. If you want pure speed with the reassurance of hydraulic disc brakes, it's a very good option: it's extremely fast and the handling is lively and direct – just what you want from a race bike – but its composure on rough roads falls some way short of its key rivals. If you're willing to overlook its lack of comfort, it's an explosive bike.

Verdict

Faster, stiffer and more responsive than the rim brake version, but comfort is sacrificed

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra Di2 2017

Size tested: 56

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

FRAME: Cervelo S3 Disc All-Carbon, FSA PF30 bottom bracket

FORK: Cervelo All-Carbon, Tapered S3 Fork for Disc

HEADSET: FSA IS2 1-1/8 x 1-3/8'

STEM: FSA SLK

HANDLEBARS: Cervelo, All-Carbon, Aero

TAPE: Black

FRONT BRAKE: Shimano RT81 160mm

REAR BRAKE: Shimano RT81 160mm

BRAKE LEVERS: Shimano BR-RS805 Hydraulic Disc

FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870, 11-speed, braze on

REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870, 11-speed

SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano Di2 ST-R785 11-speed

CASSETTE: Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11-speed, 11-28T

CHAIN: KMC X11EL

CRANKSET: FSA SLK 52 x 36T

PEDALS: N/A

FRONT WHEEL: ENVE SES 3.4 Clincher for Cervélo

REAR WHEEL: ENVE SES 3.4 Clincher for Cervélo

FRONT TYRE: Continental Grand Sport Race SL 700x23c, foldable, clincher

REAR TYRE: Continental Grand Sport Race SL 700x23c, foldable, clincher

SADDLE: Fizik Antares R5

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Cervélo says: "We've taken everything that makes the S3 such an aero class leader and made it stronger, stiffer and ultimately, faster. Cervélo only launches a new bike when significant performance gains have been made, and by integrating our disc-brake technologies into the world championship-winning S3 we have done exactly that. The S3 Disc is stiffer and more aerodynamic than its rim-brake counterpart, while continuing to make the most of the lightweight design rooted in our Project California research facility. All of this translates to superior handling and control, giving you the confidence to pull away from the peloton or put the hurt on a Saturday morning group ride."

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
9/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Excellent build quality.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Full carbon fibre frame and fork.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

Identical to the rim brake Cervelo S3, and intended to be fast and racy.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

Fitted well in an aggressive way.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Not the most comfortable race bike I've ever ridden.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Plenty of stiffness in evidence when you pedal hard, and through the front end when cornering hard.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Superbly well.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

None.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Responsive.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

Very sharp and direct with immediate reactions.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I'd recommend changing to 25mm tyres to get a bit more comfort.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

The aero handlebar is clearly very stiff.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

Only the tyres.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
6/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
8/10

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the wheels for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for value:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for performance:
 
6/10
Rate the tyres for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for comfort:
 
6/10
Rate the tyres for value:
 
7/10

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
7/10

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? When riding fast, yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? Tough to answer... there are some very good aero bikes that offer the same speed with more comfort.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? To racing friends, yes I would.

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
6/10

Use this box to explain your score

Judged purely on speed and responsiveness the Cervélo S3 Disc scores well, but it lacks the smoothness of its rivals, and for a bike that British Cycling won't actually let you race yet, that does limit its appeal to speed freaks.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

15 comments

Avatar
Beecho | 6 years ago
0 likes

And, surely a black sock should've graced that combo?

Avatar
Rapha Nadal | 6 years ago
0 likes

I passed somebody who was riding the white & green version the other day.  It looked amazing in the flesh and even better when you can't see that awful looking seatpost!

Avatar
Boss Hogg | 6 years ago
0 likes

Nice but heavy. My SuperSix Evo Disc is 7.2 kg (size 54) with pedals, one bottle cage, garmin mount, etc. and I would hardly call it light by pro standards.

Avatar
mikewood | 6 years ago
1 like

And something like 80% of the total system drag is the rider. Has anyone done a study on how much improvement you get in drag by dropping the bars by a nominal figure like 20mm so the thickness of a big spacer?

Avatar
fenix replied to mikewood | 6 years ago
0 likes
mikepridmorewood wrote:

And something like 80% of the total system drag is the rider. Has anyone done a study on how much improvement you get in drag by dropping the bars by a nominal figure like 20mm so the thickness of a big spacer?

You'd also have to factor in possible power losses from the lower position.

Avatar
sammutd88 | 6 years ago
0 likes

The bar has been set high by other companies in regards to aero bikes being relatively low weight and quite comfortable compared to aero bikes of a few years back. Cervélo never read the memo. It’s ugly (subjective...), not as aero as cheaper bikes, not as comfortable and it’s more expensive. Good buy.....

Avatar
Broady. | 6 years ago
0 likes

That seatpost is hanging.

Avatar
Scoob_84 | 6 years ago
0 likes

Still haven't worked out why someone would buy an out and out aero bike with discs. Its a purebred race bike (with the disadvantages in comfort that come with that) that your not allowed to race on. 

Avatar
themuffle | 6 years ago
0 likes

Wowsers, those handlebars are ugly.

Avatar
fenix replied to themuffle | 6 years ago
0 likes
njmoffat wrote:

Wowsers, those handlebars are ugly.

And the seatpost too. Just looks badly finished off there.

Avatar
BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
1 like

Too cheap.  Can we not, please, review something that's not just run-of-the-mill-10-a-penny affordable blandly priced mass appeal greayness?

Avatar
Nick T | 6 years ago
0 likes

There's a newly redesigned S3 for 2017 which is what I'm expecting these claimed disc improvements to be compared to, comparing to the old one would be a bit rum

Avatar
Nick T | 6 years ago
0 likes

So when a bike company says they've made aero savings on the disc frame as compared to the rim brake option, isn't that a bit like saying the standard frame has been knowingly gimped? Not sure if I'd want to spend £2100 on an S3 frameset that they didn't bother putting as much work into

Avatar
Nixster replied to Nick T | 6 years ago
0 likes
Nick T wrote:

So when a bike company says they've made aero savings on the disc frame as compared to the rim brake option, isn't that a bit like saying the standard frame has been knowingly gimped? Not sure if I'd want to spend £2100 on an S3 frameset that they didn't bother putting as much work into

The rim brake S3 has been around for a good few years, so no, not really, more a case of progress. I do think the pricing is insane on this one though.

Avatar
Fluffed | 6 years ago
0 likes

The pricing on this is kind of insane.  The Canyon Aeroad CF SLX DISC 8.0 DI2, 7.8kg and similar spec, although wheels are cheaper Reynolds Strikes, is currently £4049. Over 2 grand extra for that nice Cervelo badge!

Latest Comments