This Bike Changed Cycling Forever, But How Fast Is It Now?

The original super bike? Cervélo launched their first aero bike in 2002, which changed the whole bike industry, and led to the Cervélo S3, made famous by the one and only Dan Lloyd! Si looks back at the history of Cervélo and compares Dan’s 2010 Tour de France bike to his modern Canyon Aeroad. How different is this 13 year old aero machine to today’s super bikes?
00:00 Intro
01:15 Dan Lloyd’s Cervélo S3
02:17 Origins of Cervélo
03:23 Cervélo Soloist - The Original Aero Bike
05:59 Towards the Cervélo S3
07:46 Bike Details
09:23 Development of Aero Bikes
10:02 Bike Setup - Cérvelo S3
11:31 Race - Cervélo S3
14:06 Bike Setup - Canyon Aeroad
15:02 Race - Canyon Aeroad
15:58 Results
17:08 Analysis with Dan
20:30 Summary
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[@gcn]

Do you think aero bikes are better or worse than they used to be? 🚲🤔

[@matthewnormand2041]

No doubt better and more versatile. My 2019 Trek Madone SLR makes for a surprisingly comfortable Randonneuring bike, especially if the aerobars are installed. Speaking of Randonneuring, perhaps take a look into that scene as I don't think it's been covered on GCN. LEJOG is next July. I bet Hank would be up for it.

[@10ktube]

Worse, I wrench my own stuff, and for all of the nonsense involved to swap a bearing now, just to go a small bit faster, forget it.

[@sohi2rydes]

Better for sure. All hidden cables, cleaner cock pits, Wheels meant for wider tires etc.

[@ulaev]

i owner of 2015 BMC TMR01... this bike still very fast and comfy. not many bikes was on market without changes for that long period.. BMC TMR01 was on market more than 5 years

[@arnoldhau1]

Those bikes where aero by themselves, but did not consider the whole system of rider, bottle and so on as do modern ones. So in that sense and objectively, they where worse.

[@Alimukz]

People don't want to give GCN props because it's so mainstream and popular, but the content of late has been fantastic. Still bringing fresh material on an arguably limited topic of discussion.

[@frazebean5117]

Honestly I find that so impressive. There's only so much you can cover with the topic of cycling. I won't be surprised if they hire a bunch of people to dedicate time to think up video ideas.

[@tinglydingle]

Just goes to show that if all the "12% more efficient than previous model" and "saves 20 watts at 40kph" marketing claims were true, the newer bike should be practically riding itself with all those cumulative gains over the last 10 years.

[@FT__Bicycling_____-sc7yv]

It'd be about 95 to 115 watts faster. Lol.

[@leonharddearaujoalbrecht8543]

I been saying the exact same thing for quite some time 😭😂

[@choanlpoto]

its like the ad for laundry detergent, washing whiter than white, nowadays the clothes disappear in the washing machine

[@lukewalker1051]

Ironically you nailed it Simon in closing comments. How much has the bike industry improved bikes in the last 12 years considering in particular, the massive price increase for the top of the line TdF level bikes? I owned a late model Cervelo aero bike with electric shifting and disc brakes briefly and sold it to default back to rim brakes and mechanical shifting with more round tube sections and feel nothing in speed difference for the kind of rides I do which is ride with fastest guys in town. The 5 seconds difference and thanks for doing the experiment 3 times...is noise in the cosmos...nebulous to those that don't race for a living. Honestly the marketing of this stuff as a lure to upsell gullible consumers is pretty insulting to those that really understand the tech which I do as a mechanical engineer. Will close and say, Simon this is one of the best episodes of GCN I have seen. Really well done. Why? Because it is based on truth and not marketing in a global society now mired in false narratives. Thank you for this honest video and cheers from America.

[@Shadowboost]

Five seconds is the difference between making the Strava top 10 and not for a lot of my segments. I don't need a new aero bike for that. I just put aero bars and wheels on the old aero bike

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Built up, my first Soloist SL was $12k in 2008. You get a much better bike for $14k now. That's not much inflation either...or a $4000 power meter which is what a crank based power meter cost back then🥴

[@veganpotterthevegan]

As an engineer, you should also know that 5 seconds is probably 15(a short ride too) with matching fits🥳

[@peterwillson1355]

​@@veganpotterthevegan🥱

[@peterwillson1355]

​@@veganpotterthevegan🥱🥱

[@pigeonkill]

I LOVED this video, not only becuase I'm one of the 4 Dan's fanboys, Simon's enthusiasm is just lovely to watch. Video editing at 10:20 is

[@gcn]

Thank you! Glad that you enjoy watching our presenters!

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Do you also have your walls plastered in photos of him with a body pillow with Dan printed on it?

[@treyquattro]

@@veganpotterthevegan are those available from the GCN store?!?!

[@joeallard205]

My 2013 Cervelo S2 is a dream to ride. Thanks for doing this video!!

[@lokerola]

Just bought a 2022 Giant TCR. Mechanical 105 and rim brakes. I love it!!!

[@robdogracing]

My 2009 Cervelo RS still a great bike. 5000 miles already this year. External cable routing, threaded BB, and rim brakes. Super easy to maintain, lightweight, fast, and compliant.

[@aarondcmedia9585]

My 2009 Cervelo S3 still wins crit races in 2023. 2010 HED Jet 6 black and 7970 10 speed Dura Ace Di2. The other people in the race are mostly riding 2020s S5s, Pinarello dogmas, Trek SLR7s and the like. I guess you could almost say it's not about the bike?

[@gcn]

It's great to hear that your 2009 Cervèlo is still going strong! What has made you stick with it for your racing?

[@aarondcmedia9585]

@@gcn A few reasons: 1. it was my race bike for a few years so only got ridden on Saturdays. Then a break from racing, then when I started again, it became a dedicated / flat / rolling terrain crit bike, only used once a week. It's 13 years old but only 1.5 years old in riding time. 2. It just works, and works well. Don't see the point in fixing something that isn't broken. 3. The plan is to paint it as part of my "learn to paint bike frames" journey, so I'll have a chance to update it aesthetically, keeping it fresh and customised to my taste. Not something I'd be willing to do with a similar bike of today that would cost around $10-15k!!

[@veganpotterthevegan]

The reality is that YOU would be faster on the new bike. I have a Soloist SL. With a fully matched fit and similar depth wheels, even my 2022 Domane is faster so I really just leave my Soloist on the wall because the ride quality is total trash with nothing better about the Soloist to get me to ride it anymore.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@aarondcmedia9585 my Soloist SL was $12k in 2008. A new one is $13k and comes with a power meter and aero wheels that don't totally suck.

[@joneinarmattiasvisser6113]

cool! I still have a steel road bike with downtube shifters that on one climb, I set a personal record at that time. I since then had ridden a carbon merida scultura (which I rode for traimning one summer) which was definetly lighter, more aero, and better. I could not beat my time. It felt sketchy to ride fast; it was just not as comfoatable to ride out of the saddle. Just saying that body position can be more important than the type of bike.

[@kendallbarron8616]

Nice to see them compliment the rim brake for a change 😊

[@gcn]

Hahaha we're not that mean really 😉

[@spacekip38]

back in 2013 I managed to score a great deal on this specific frameset, and I've been riding it ever since. It's a fantastic bike!

[@gcn]

They are superb!

[@prestachuck2867]

In late 2019, I was given by our shop a 2020 Specialized Tarmac Pro Force eTap with 50mm Roval Wheels 700x28c tubeless to ride for two years. It was a major redesign of the Tarmac, claiming more aero and yada yada yada. At right about 15.5lbs, the bike was very lightweight for a disc brake bike as well. I used a Stages power meter on that bike. My main ride up to then was my fully bespoke Waterford R-33. A custom hand built frame using TruTemper S-3 Super Steel, an Enve 1.0 carbon fork, a Shimano R8000 Ultegra mechanical/rim brake group, and an assortment of lightweight alloy wheelsets. Weight was right at 17lbs including Speedplay USA Stainless Zeros, and a Specialized power meter by 4iiii. I was offered to purchase the Tarmac well below dealer cost at the end of the two years. I gave it back, because after looking at my data, I was just as slow on the Tarmac as I am on the Waterford, but the Waterford is much prettier, rides better, and is a lot easier to work on. It’s still my number one bicycle. Earlier this year, I rode my steel Waterford in the eTape San Antonio event (met The Jensie!), and at a refuel stop, a lot of people were complaining about the “rough pavement”. I mean REALLY complaining about the chip and seal pavement. I thought to myself “seriously?…I hardly noticed the pavement” Then I looked at their bikes.. all super aero and probably super stiff carbon machines with deep carbon rims. This out of shape old man also dropped those much younger guys shortly after that stop, and didn’t see them again, so maybe they were just more out of shape than I was at the time.

[@appa609]

Dan's bike looks almost identical to my S5. ~2010 era road bikes are such classics.

[@aaronedgeart]

That, no ancient, Cervélo Test Team video series was instrumental in my continued fascination and stoke with road cycling... thank you Dan!!!!!!

[@Blaze16159]

I would really like to thank you guys for the information you provide. I have been cycling since February of 2023 and in that time my cross country coach passed away and we only got to ride together once. Since then, I inherited his trek madone gen 4 and have been coming to this channel for information. I have ridden that bike once and saw my time go significantly down from my first duathalon. So again I would like to thank you guys for being the coach I could not have when it comes to cycling.

[@DonBrandt]

Morning SR, as usual great content and nostalgia. thank for being a voice for cycling.

[@saulsalonga7766]

Love to see it! Great teamwork and congrats on the W!

[@Astraeus73]

Great video GCN! I've never owned a Cervelo, but I definitely recognised the soloist as a bit of a phenomenon at the time, so it's pretty good to see how well it's stood the test of time! Very interesting to hear Dan Lloyd's comments regarding the bike too.

[@spishco]

Proud pre-sale Cervelo owner here. I still love, and occasionally ride my RS! Still beautifully comfortable even at 15 years old.

[@davidshardlow4369]

Thanks Simon.. a great history lesson for those of us who weren’t into cycling at the time.. and some good Dan Lloyd banter!

[@nippon1274]

I recently got a almost new 2012 s5 VWD for $2000. And I love it

[@SirRidealot]

I sold my 2016 S3 this spring, I had a bit to many bikes. That one was exactly 7kg and every time I rode it, I felt "shit this is such a fast bike" and it was an absolute joy to ride. Nice video!

[@jmccartney2007]

As an avowed Cervelo fanboy and owner of 2 of their bikes (2004 Super Prodigy, still a fun - and surprisingly light - bike to ride, and a 2022 Caledonia) I thank you for making this video. Super interesting comparison and it shows just how good even their 'older' bikes still are.

[@colonelbubble]

why not sharing the data? "5 sec quicker", without any context, is a bit lackluster. How long was the flat section and the climb? how much time difference in those? At least give us the length of the runs to put those 5 seconds into perspective. Apart from that, great video. I still rock a 2006 R3 and love it; I don't feel that I am missing out on anything. Beautiful machine. cervélo was really in it's own class back then.

[@chrisjolley7961]

I agree with you colonel, I would have loved to see the actual numbers to give it all some perspective. Great video all the same.

[@dmallo]

The best video/project to make with such a 2010s super aero bike is to update it with modern components that make real performance improvements: 1) modern light, aero wheels of max rim width for the bike, with modern fast tires of matching (i.e., a little thinner) width with latex tubes or tubeless, 2) aero cockpit, 3) waxed chain (marginal performance gain but huge maintenance improvement, and you have Silca onboard!). Then, compare it against a modern super-bike taking into account performance (flat, climb, brake), comfort, maintenance, and price.

[@triggamusician]

I bought a 2009 RS last year. It always felt special. Now I know why. Thanks for the video! ❤ It gets a complete rebuild right now and will be back on the road soon

[@hawkmantm465]

Own the 2009 Cervelo S2 - the one Dan rode in Qatar. Rode it for 14 years, now it's on my Kickr. It's been better than almost all my friends bikes for such a long time until just recently. This year, got a Cervelo Soloist. It's marginally heavier but so much more efficient. Even on climbs, it throws itself up the road. It's also vastly more comfortable and discs are night and day better than rim (hate to say it). Still love my S2 to death. It's not all about weight anymore.

[@rkan2]

The next gen S2/S3 is indeed so much better than the example on the video.

[@paulburton9572]

I’m sure it would be hard to get hold of but this video makes me wonder about a similar test of Dan’s bike against one of the equivalent professional spec bikes of the same era to see how far ahead of the curve it really was!

[@ernesto_longhi]

The S3 has a more classic geometry which makes the bike much more beautiful. It's a wonderful bike to look at. ❤

[@n22pdf]

Awesome bike.. amazingly lightweight.. great vid guys love these reviews 😊 very interesting and Si’s presenting is great.. love Dan what legend.. 🚴🏻👍😃 Pete

[@randyhale4181]

This was a good one Simon, especially being on Dan's Bike . Let's do your bike next👍🏼

[@Dreamweaver94]

I have an '07 Cervelo P2-SL Tri bike that I've converted to a road bike. I love it, it feels fast and smooth, and overall seems like the ultimate aluminum frame. Plus the airplane wing tube profiles, horizontal top tube, and rear wheel cutout looks awesome. It's built up with a Dura Ace R9100 groupset and pretty much everything bolted to the aluminum is carbon, including the non-adjustable carbon fiber seat post from a carbon Soloist frame.

[@zingbopdelux]

My 2009 S3 is now my winter road bike, and I am talking winter as in Canada! … I replaced the original Campy 11 speed with the last Super Record 11speed … the original 404’s, replaced by 303’s … it’s still a near perfect ride experience … simply put, Cervelo was ahead of it all with aero evolution. Great video guys! Thanks!!

[@vinigranzotto8314]

I own a 06 Soloist carbon , with 105 and aluminum wheels , 7.4kg , and the bike is amazing

[@TahliaLikesSmiles]

LOVED this video. Definitely a Dan Lloyd super fan (and a Si one too!) so just an absolute treat to watch. Would love to see more comparison tests. Maybe a bonus one can be to see how many pull-ups Dan can do with the 6.6k added 😂

[@ralvesco]

Seeing that first Cervello TT bike, UCI thank you, many many Thanks!!!!

[@picodegallo1959]

Also, interestingly (to me, anyway) is that aero appears more important than weight. Even though the Canyon is heavier/beefier, it's modern aero components are still faster than the lightweight Cervelo. Fun video. Especially loved the interview w/ Dan at the end. Thanks, guys!

[@davidheathfield5040]

The soloist in the CSC livery is still one of my favourite looking bikes. I had to get one when it came out and could only afford to run it single speed for years. It’s now sat on my turbo trainer and it still gets my heart racing when I look at it. I wish there was room for such new and innovative bikes now days.

[@0elmottita0]

Very well done. Thank you for the video

[@shuonanzhao6395]

That s3 frame is an absolute beauty, so is the 10 speed sram red groupset. I still use a set of tdf edition of sram red 10 speed on my allez sprint and it’s just amazing

[@bubby372]

Great video. A real eye opener. How far we have gone. ;)

[@joshschilz2951]

I was a mechanic at a Cervelo dealer back when the Soloist and the S3 were big deals. I regret not buying either one. The Soloist was one of the fastest bikes I had ever ridden at the time. Even just taking them out for little spins after assembly or tuning up a customers bike.

[@gk5891]

The Soloist is still sweet.

[@joshschilz2951]

@@gk5891 if I can find an AL framed one, I would buy it.

[@Tex735]

THIS is one of the greats! 2 ex pros talking shop. Love it!!!

[@nednewguy]

I bought a S3 disc back in 2018. Love it!

[@01FozzyS]

Good wheel choice there,Si. I have the same exact set on my 2012 R5 VWD. So nice and light for sure.

[@mauricetremblay1324]

Just like in car racing, you can have the best car and still lose to a better driver. Sweet ride Dan.

[@boyhowdy666]

2012 S5 owner, this video will give me mental strength now while riding😂

[@mitchellsteindler]

This was an interesting history lesson!

[@richardruns4cake]

Brilliant film Si and such a good link to why we all Dan fans

[@davidyounglove9721]

I LOVE my 2010 Cervelo S3. Its light, it’s Aero and still looks great.

[@jamessankey01]

Kudos to you, that was excellent. I'm still riding my 2006 Soloist Carbon. I can't bring myself to sell it. The dura ace still shifts buttery smooth.

[@sohi2rydes]

Great throwback on start of the aero bikes. I still have my first Cervelo aero bike, the SLC-SL from 2005 I think. Riding is also about how the bike makes you feel and Cervelo aero bikes adds that extra something to make you ride those extra miles. Just love it.

[@gcn]

Wow! Do you still ride the SLC-SL?

[@sohi2rydes]

@@gcn I got an S5 about 10 years back but stll have my SLC-SL. Just couldnt let it go.

[@MrTomasumi]

I still ride my slc-sl which I got in 2009 on sale. I'm still as passionate about it as I was then. It's been subject to some upgrades, di2, aero handlebar etc. Great bike!

[@timmontgomery4082]

My carbon soloist with Sram red mechanical and Zipp 404 tubulars is still bloody fast. And looks duper cool!

[@manwithnoname6580]

Still got my 2012 R5 VWD which I’ve owned since new and rides beautifully, and a fantastic 2009 RS which I picked up off eBay for 800 quid. The RS is so sublimely comfortable that it’s my go-to bike now, over my 2022 Giant TCR.

[@JakobThusgaard]

I bought this bike 2nd hand last year (cheaply). If it was good enough for pros 13-14 years ago, then it'll be more than good enough for me now. Loving it!

[@BubaQuintana]

I bought mine at the end of 2019 (S3 Norwegian Edition). Still amazing at this day and Im still loving it!.

[@peterwillson1355]

You can say exactly the same of steel bikes from the 80s or 90s.....Good enough for the pros then, good enough for me now...

[@JakobThusgaard]

Didn't know there was a Norwegian Edition,@@BubaQuintana

[@JakobThusgaard]

Weeeeeell, I'm not likely to go back to downtube shifting,@@peterwillson1355;-)

[@rkan2]

​@@JakobThusgaardSpecial made for Hushovd's WC title in 2010!

[@dh7314]

Great video

[@CatManDoSocial]

Well done Si and team.

[@stevec2321]

I still have the S2, not mentioned, which I bought new in 2009 and was the last one available in the UK so probably 2008 or 2009. It was produced somewhere between the Soloist and S3. I cleaned up the front end cable issues mentioned by installing Sram Etap. It's a great ride but quite stiff and I regularly enjoy riding it during Spring and Autumn.

[@andrewcharlesworth2512]

Really good video. I have a rim brake Spesh sl6 which I love riding and inspite of my mates banging on about disc brakes- I can’t justify spending £5-6k for not much gain? Also think it looks much better than modern bikes

[@gcn]

That's awesome! Don't listen to your buddies, they are just jealous of the bond you have with you bike 😉

[@allanfoster6965]

I would have to see Si AND Dan riding these bikes together. Lovely video though. 😊

[@MYBIKELIFELO]

I think that yes older bikes definitely hold there place, BUT new bike technology is just so dang cool😍

[@swites]

That Cervelo was a beauty!

[@hanneshertach8013]

I still have this bike! Don’t ride it as much as my disc di2 canyon anymore but it’s still beautiful to look at and take out every now and then

[@davidg4107]

Many thanks - excellent, I've a 2007 CerveloSLC but didn't fully unerstand the context of the bike with the other models. I've got some heavy Continental tyres, sacrilege - but comfy.

[@madmick9205]

Love that Lloydy was so humble about how his bike helped him. He's a very decent rider by any standards. But it is true that modern bikes are better. Sort of at least. Blooming interesting video. TY:)

[@markruscoe6228]

Still riding-and hanging with the youngsters-my 2009 S2. Ridden many newer bikes over the years since, but always went back to the S2. Fitted with SRAM AXS mech 2 years ago. Should be good to go for many more years!

[@DarkpowderUK]

Imagining Lloydy watching this video slightly teary eyed. Mainly about the size of Si's glasses!

[@SBoots29]

Although many items in the test are not controlled like you said it was a very good comparison. I compare my MT bike to my road bike just to have data to show my wife and state my case that I need a new TT bike. I am also one of the 4 fans of Dan. But I like all presenters on GCN. Cheers

[@Bluesman2509]

I bought a 2015 Cervelo S3 to be re fit with new Ultegra, 4iiii PM and Winspace wheels...incredible.

[@edmundhodgson2572]

enjoyed this.

[@TheHaitian]

What this video showed (to me) is that in the last decades marginal gains + aero makes you faster by very little. At 43 I'm all about ease of maintenance, comfort and when going uphill, I'll take my lightweight 2019 Trek Émonda SL5 rim brake any day over an aero bike. I'm not aiming to beat anyone but my own records 😅.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

The „freewheeling away“ is exactly the feeling I have in sportives when there are people on older round tube bikes with shallow wheels.

[@jascollinscork]

The old bike vs new bike I've wanted to see with years.... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 don't know why ye waited for a wet winter to test test it though 😂😂

[@williamm3542]

I own both the Cervelo S3 and the RS. Between the two of them, I was convinced that I could never buy a faster ,more comfortable bike. This attitude kept me on these bikes right up to 2022. That year I spent a few months in Girona, Spain and experienced my first "modern" bike (a Basso Astra with Sram Force Etap). I rode the Basso from town to Rocacorba and back. Despite the increased weight of the Basso, I rode a bit faster and far more comfortably than on the Cervelos. Like your experience, Si, it wasn't significantly faster but it still was faster.....and at least a kilo heavier. What!!!!! So now, I ride all three and appreciate each for it's strengths. The Cervelos still feel fast, stable and light but the Basso remains the faster (but heavier) choice. I still ride the Cervelo when climbing and it's never let me down.

[@EdMontego]

If there is a remake of this rim Cervélo S3, i would Buy it!

[@RicardoRocha-lg1xo]

I would certainly love to see that!

[@appa609]

There's plenty of used ones

[@danielbarron8294]

I have around the same year S2 in white. Love it.

[@plthatfunkymusic]

One of the best GCN vids I've watched, thank you Simon & Dan + all in team GCN. Looks like cycling had it's carbon plate Nike 4% (cheater shoes) back in 2008 and the rest is very expensive fluff, erm tech

[@matthewlewis2072]

Cracking looking bike, that S3. I think the cable routing is clever, certainly neater since it lacks the Shimano washing line which STILL featured then. Super nice!

[@okayest_amateur]

5 seconds up a climb is much more significant in road racing then how many seconds aero. Just think as a racer going 100 percent how many times you have gotten dropped by a few seconds up a climb and never recovered the front group. 5 seconds aero sitting in the draft is negligible because your only going 70 percent of effort. Only matters in solo breakaway or tt. From a practical standpoint lightweight still matters.

[@larryvaught3053]

Simon, I'm just a little surprised that you didn't throw out a handful of zingers for Dan like... "So Dan, if you're bike was so ahead of its time and so very tricked out, then why don't you have any real big wins to brag about ?" The only reason I could see possible for not poking fun at Dan would be that you discussed it prior to the filming of this video and Dan said the only way he would loan his bike out was if you didn't bash him at all. All kidding aside, a great video Si ! You're upbeat attitude is absolutely infectious! 😎

[@magicknight8412]

I love my S3 (2015 version), still get great comments on it from the public and in sportives.

[@HkFinn83]

This is actually a great business success story - small obscure Canadian brand changes the industry. The logo is, 15 years later, on the TdeF winners bike

[@allanmolyneux4271]

I still love being out on my 2005 soloist, with black anodized finish. Especially now I have managed to squeeze 25c tyres into it.

[@mariovr8416]

Thank you for a good video. I think it illustrates the marginal gains that have been made. New, aero bike are slightly faster, but I still like my older bikes.

[@gcn]

That's the most important thing! What bike do you like the most 🙌 Ride the bike that makes you happy!

[@bingobango6412]

I have a same era white S2 as the one you’re riding!! I’m currently just a couple parts away from slapping on sram red etap 12 speed and some 38mm carbon rims! Still a killer fast bike

[@XaverDu]

Nice video, still own and ride my aluminium soloist and it’s still a nice and fast ride…..only drawback is the limited choice of tire width…

[@ftekkie]

I rode the S3 for years! If didn’t crash it, I’d still be riding it. I loved it! I ride the F12 now and I feel it shares a lot, it was easier to overcome the loss.

[@Ryschleck]

Time travel 101, Si’s inflatable man dance with the fish blooping sounds. 10/10!

[@TheeStig1]

Really cool to see these tests. Makes me wonder how the bike I ride, 2018 Scott foil rim brake, compares to the latest aero bikes.

[@DavidVidaurri]

Badass bike and the history behind is awesome ❤.

[@ww3k]

Loved this history of Cervelo feature

[@gcn]

Thanks!

[@benson885]

I have a R3 SL. I’ll never forget the first rides. It just kept getting better. Smoothest I’ve ever been on. Like Simon in the video, it was hard to believe. That year SRAM Force was top of the SRAM road line, but have upgraded to Red, ZIPP 303s. Still ride it. Newer bikes aren’t that much better. How about a climbing bike video? I’d love to see the comparison. Pretty sure the bike in the background in the video portion of GV was a R3 SL.

[@sampetty5768]

Currently on a 2016 Cervelo S5 with the HED jet 6 wheels and DA Di2 and have ridden it in comparison to some newer bikes and it hits an incredible sweet spot between this earlier S3 and the newer disc brake bikes. Would LOVE to see an aero test between the earlier S5, the gen 2 S5 and a modern disc brake aero bike!

[@sampetty5768]

Correction between the earlier S3 and the other bikes

[@Gianniz27]

Exactly, the rimbrake aero bikes around 2015-2018 were peak road bike, same speed as the latest modells recently, but lighter and cheaper.

[@Shadowboost]

I remember these bikes, i bet they S3 would be even closer with a Zipp aero bar and 404s. I lusted after the SLC-SL and R3-SL back in 2007. My college bike shop had those and the P3C and Colnago C50 and i couldn't choose what was my dream bike, but the SLC-SL probably takes the cake

[@amishrider]

Yet another win for weight in the aero vs weight for climbing. Like to see Ollie take Dan's bike up some climbs

[@mrwhiteshorts]

I had the Soloist, the Soloist Carbon and the S3. All unbelievably quick and ahead of the game. The SC, however, was unridable over 40 miles, for me. The S3, was much friendlier to the budding amateur. However, i achieved most of my success on the R3-SL.

[@512Riddler]

Love cervelo but it’s all about the R series for me. Those thin chain stays make for a great comfortable and fast bike.

[@alekstav1234]

Remember being seven or eight seeing Thor Hushovd winning TDF stages on this bike. Being norwegian that bike has a special place in my heart!

[@broughtonanderson3227]

I still ride my 2009 S1 with a lot of the original components (some are getting switched out this year as things have worn out) but I am still the fastest on descents. It rides beautifully, and why would one change out perfection. Sure if I had 13k to drop, I would snag a brand new, top Cervelo, but then again, I am happy!

[@rkan2]

If you are the original owner and still have proof of purchase or registered the bike back then... Go check your seatpost for cracks under the collar. If it is cracked, you can get a new bike/frame from Cervelo ;). I got a choice of an S2 frame, S2 full bike or S3 frame for 600e back in 2016. I regard this as the optimal year for a road bike as it was just before all the cables went in to the tubes and handlebars along with disc brake wheels. It rides totally different to all of the first generation S1/2/2!

[@cb6866]

Thanks to all...and the real SI..