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New build considering a Cervelo R3 frame, ultegra di2

Hello all, long time reader of the fourm, first time poster...

After having a trustworthy cannondale super6 for the last 5 years, for which the BB shell has cracked away i've decided it's time to build a new bike.

I'm looking at a Cervelo R3 frameset and buying a Ultegra di2 groupset, then adding handlebars and saddle etc from my old bike.

I have a couple of quesitons which i'd really apprecaite some guidance on.

1. I'm 6'2 (189cm) 34" 88cm inseam - does a 58cm frame sound right (only concerned as i was fitted to a 56cm on the cannondale

2. I assume with the ultergra group set i only need to buy a different BB unit to fit it into the Cervelo frame?

3. Does anyone know if the Cervelo seatpost takes an internal battery for di2 - says it's di2 compatable but it doesn't go into that level of detail.

Cheers

 

FYI: also tossing up Argon18 Gallium frame, but Cervelo seem to have better reviews and sound like they're constructed better - views welcome... 

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.

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11 comments

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Cycling Saints Fan | 8 years ago
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I've had my R3 for just over nine months. I'm just shy of 5' 8" and have a 51cm frame. Apologies that it doesn't help much on sizing for you but I wanted to say what a great bike it is. I was in a position to spec my own, so had Mavic Ksyrium SLR 25s put on and swapped the FSA bars for 3T Ergonova Stealth carbon and added Ultegra Di2. With regards to the battery, mine is mounted in the seatpost which is listed as an FSA SLK for Di2 by Cervelo. Hope it all works out because it really is a stunning ride even if it is way more bike than I can ever do justice to.

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allanj | 8 years ago
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Lots of discussion on bottom brackets on the cervelo forums (https://forums.cervelo.com/forums/5.aspx)- next level cyclogeekery I know but worth a look.  General advice seems to be to follow the official advice to the letter and preferably get someone with experience to do it.

Sounds like you'll end up with a fantastic new bike, enjoy.

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Gasman Jim | 8 years ago
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I've had an R3 for about 2 years and can recommend the Rotor 4624 bottom bracket if you're going to use Shimano cranks. Install it with the type of loctite recommended in the instructions, but DON'T use the recommended accelerator as it cures the loctite so fast you can't press the BB into the frame in time!!!

This has been my first experience of Pressfit type of BBs, and I've been pleasantly surprised.

I'm 5'11" and ride a 56 so I'm pretty confident a 56 would be too small for you.

I can't comment on Di2 compatibility as I use DA mechanical.

 

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Nixster | 8 years ago
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On 2 Rotor do a BB that will allow Shimano cranks to be a direct fit, about £45 from CRC when in stock.

I was looking at exactly this, also a Supersix rider but mine is not goosed so I'm tending to an S3 presently as the R3 is too similar to my existing bike.  And the S3 has red bits of course yes

 Cervelo charge a huge premium for DI2 so f&f defo better value than a complete bike, mech Ultegra not so much.

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adcords | 8 years ago
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Thanks guys, that's really helpful. I've already got wheels and a lot of components, hence going the cheaper route of a frame and build which I can gradually upgrade (albeit di2 will be done all in one hit). 

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allanj | 8 years ago
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I was thinking that a complete bike might well be a better way to do it too, but a quick look shows you can get ultegra Di2 for £860 and the frame for £1700 if you are happy to shop around on line.

 

The complete bike is rrp £4000 and comes with pretty basic wheels (Aksium S's), so the frameset and groupset at those prices leaves you with £1400+ to spend on wheels, bars, stem, saddle etc etc.  If you already have decent finishing kit then that leaves you with a generous budget for some good wheels

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srchar | 8 years ago
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I'm the same height and inseam as you and ride a 58cm R5, which has the same stack and reach as the R3.

I fitted Campag cranks using a Wishbone BB. There are a few more options for Shimano, but I can recommend the Wishbone solution. Do not waste your time with press-fit cups, I tried three types of Loctite and primer and couldn't get press fit cups to stay in the frame; the drive-side cup would always walk out.

The 27.2mm version of the FSA K force does not support mounting of a di2 battery.

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allanj replied to srchar | 8 years ago
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srchar wrote:

The 27.2mm version of the FSA K force does not support mounting of a di2 battery.

 

hmm- this would suggest it is an option: http://fsa-4207.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TB22-Di2-Battery-Ad..., I think it is just the 350mm post that is an issue, you'd be fine with the 400mm if I'm reading that correctly (though I don't know what length you get with the frame)

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turnerjohn replied to allanj | 8 years ago
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allanj wrote:

srchar wrote:

The 27.2mm version of the FSA K force does not support mounting of a di2 battery.

 

hmm- this would suggest it is an option: http://fsa-4207.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TB22-Di2-Battery-Ad..., I think it is just the 350mm post that is an issue, you'd be fine with the 400mm if I'm reading that correctly (though I don't know what length you get with the frame)

I've a 27.2 FSA K-Force WITH a Di2 battery mount.....got it from CRC when they were on sale.

Back to the original query......why not buy the full bike from Cervelo ? surely works out cheaper ?

FWIW  Cervelo are pretty good with their sizing, is spot on, I run a small R5 and the size charts were spot on.....work off the vertual TT length and your sorted

 

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srchar replied to allanj | 8 years ago
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allanj wrote:

I think it is just the 350mm post that is an issue, you'd be fine with the 400mm if I'm reading that correctly (though I don't know what length you get with the frame)

Ah yes, I stand corrected. 

FSA wrote:

Weight: 210g (Ø27.2 x 350mm not Di2 compatible)

OP, pics please when your build is finished.

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allanj | 8 years ago
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1.  I'm 6'3 plus and ride a 58cm R2 so you are probable right with that size but I wouldn't go anywhere near buying without fitting so make sure you try one

2.  You will need an adapter to put a shimano BB and crank in a cervelo, kind of undoes the benefits of the BBright system though so it should really be a rotor crankset!

3.  It looks like the seatpost is an FSA K force, there is a separate Di2 battery adapter for that

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