Our bike check of the week is Pete’s Cervelo R3. Pete is a Manager of our Customer Support team who do an amazing job each day helping our lovely customers with any queries they may have!
Frame: Cervelo R3
Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace 11speed 53/39, 11-28
Wheels: Zipp 303’s
Seatpost/Stem: Deda Superzero
Handlebar: Easton EC90
Saddle: Brooks Cambium
Pete says:
“Ever since my racing days ended so many years ago, I continued riding race bikes simply for pleasure. When carbon bikes were first introduced, they were generally very harsh and not that much lighter than their Aluminium counterparts. I settled on a carbon Cervelo R2.5 which replaced a Scott CR1 Aluminium frame built from Scandium tubing. The frame walls on the Scott seemed wafer thin and would flex if you squeezed the downtube.
Moving on to 2 different Cervelo models as the frame had been upgraded has left me with a bike that I now can’t get rid of. Not that I want to, as even after seven years now it still rides superbly and even though it’s an aggressive ride, it’s still very compliant.
I’ve swapped out various parts over time but I’ve settled on some mid width wheels these days rather than using deeper section wheels, not just for comfort but mainly for easier handling characteristics on windier days.
The Shimano Dura Ace groupset was always the groupset of choice and even in the mechanical guise, it is still faultless. Admittedly, chains, cassettes and chainrings do get changed but most surprisingly, I’m still using the original Shimano SP41 cable set that the bike was built with. This cable set has proven to be so smooth and completely sealed especially when built where internal routing is allowed I never felt the need for Di2. Nowadays, mechanical shifting is on it’s way out and with this bike having rim brakes too does make it rather outdated however, with it’s bomb proof construction and comfortable ride I’m happy to stick with it for some time yet!”
Thanks to Pete for taking some time out to talk us through his much loved Cervelo! Looking for a new road ready steed for yourself? Check out our full range here.
