Trek 5200/5500 to Cervelo Advice?

[nscrbug]

Yikes...I'm not sure I'd drop that kind of money, if I could not be fitted or test ride the bike first. Just out of curiosity, why are you not able to get fit or test ride the Cervelo? Are you purchasing the bike sight unseen...like online or something? I ride a Cervelo Soloist Carbon (51cm)...but I can't really give any advice that you're looking for. I came off of a Trek 2100 WSD that was too big for me (54cm), so simply getting a smaller frame helped a lot of my issues. I still need to raise my bars a few cm's, because when I bought the bike I was fitted in a fairly aggressive riding position (had done a few triathlons and was planning on doing a few more)...but after a full season of riding in that aggressive position, it's taken a toll on my lower back, hands, & wrists. I need to "relax" the position a bit more and take some pressure off my hands & wrists. I'm currently riding with a zero rise stem, too...and I think that is the problem. I'm probably going to swap the stem out for something more adjustable.

[Brandy]

I went from a 52 cm Trek 5500 to a 51 cm Cervelo R3 with no problems. I can't find a geometry chart for the older Trek so it's hard to compare. All of my bikes are set up the same and my boyfriend was able to match the fit on my R3 to the fit I had on my Trek.

I hope that helps. For what it's worth, I don't think you will be disappointed with the R3. I love, love, love mine.

[mauisher]

Thanks for the answers so far. I can't test ride the bike since I live on Maui. I may go to the mainland to do it, but that really adds a lot to the cost of the bike. However, I ordered my Trek 5500 without doing a test ride and it was an expensive bike at the time ... it was fine. It fits fairly well (seat tube angle a bit large so I have to push my seat all the way back) and I'm learning how to compare most frame measurements, etc. What I was looking for was someone who has ridden both a Trek 5200/5500 and now owns a Cervelo. It seems Brandy has done just that with no problems. My main concern was the need for a higher head tube (between the Cervelo R3 and the RS). It seems the R3 with the smaller head tube would probably be fine for me since I'm riding a bike with my handlebars relatively lower than my seat and the Cervelo R3 has a 12 cm head tube and the Trek has a 10 cm head tube, so I will actually have a higher head tube on the Cervelo R3. The RS is supposed to have a more relaxed position with an even higher head tube, which I'm not sure I need, hence this message to you. I ride my bike for exercise several times a week, participate in centuries when I can, and I rode my Trek with a race oriented geometry across the USA this past spring without any problems. Anyone else have an opinion of which one would I would like best: the Cervelo R3 or RS? Thanks so much for your opinions.

[tulip]

Oh, the sacrifices you make to live on Maui!!

I'm sure you'll end up with a fabulous bike regardless.

[parity]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to go to Kona or Honolulu? There are Cervelo dealers in Kona and Honolulu. I don't know what the air fare would be but that would seem to be a cheaper option.

Whom do you intend on buying the bike from? You're probably going to lay down some serious coin so you want to make sure you get a bike that fits. Competitive Cyclist has the a demo program but I don't know if they'd ship the bike to Maui.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...EMO_ABOUT_HOME

For $300 they ship you the bike and you get to test ride it for 7 days. They'll credit you the $300 towards the purchase of a new bike. You may want to contact them and see if they'd ship it to Maui.

I don't own either but I would probably go with the R3. And when they cut the steerer tube leave some extra room in case you need to raise the bars higher. Once you have it dialed in you can have them chop off what you don't need.

[Brandy]

Thanks for the answers so far. I can't test ride the bike since I live on Maui. I may go to the mainland to do it, but that really adds a lot to the cost of the bike. However, I ordered my Trek 5500 without doing a test ride and it was an expensive bike at the time ... it was fine. It fits fairly well (seat tube angle a bit large so I have to push my seat all the way back) and I'm learning how to compare most frame measurements, etc. What I was looking for was someone who has ridden both a Trek 5200/5500 and now owns a Cervelo. It seems Brandy has done just that with no problems. My main concern was the need for a higher head tube (between the Cervelo R3 and the RS). It seems the R3 with the smaller head tube would probably be fine for me since I'm riding a bike with my handlebars relatively lower than my seat and the Cervelo R3 has a 12 cm head tube and the Trek has a 10 cm head tube, so I will actually have a higher head tube on the Cervelo R3. The RS is supposed to have a more relaxed position with an even higher head tube, which I'm not sure I need, hence this message to you. I ride my bike for exercise several times a week, participate in centuries when I can, and I rode my Trek with a race oriented geometry across the USA this past spring without any problems. Anyone else have an opinion of which one would I would like best: the Cervelo R3 or RS? Thanks so much for your opinions.

If you have no back problems and you're comfortable with more of a race geometry, I'd go with the R3. I'll ask the boyfriend to chime in here, he's more knowledgable on the technical fitting aspects than I am. He also happens to work for a major Cervelo dealer and can steer you better toward the RS or R3.

[Brandy]

I ride a Cervelo Soloist Carbon (51cm)...but I can't really give any advice that you're looking for. I came off of a Trek 2100 WSD that was too big for me (54cm), so simply getting a smaller frame helped a lot of my issues. .

I went from a 54cm Trek 1000 WSD and moved to a 52cm Trek 5500 originally. What's funny is that when we were comparing measurements, they were pretty darn close. Where did the 54 WSD feel too big? Cervelo's (IMO) feel smaller because of the sloping top tube. All of my other bikes feel big compared to my R3. Just my opinion and glad you're on the right bike now!

[nscrbug]

I went from a 54cm Trek 1000 WSD and moved to a 52cm Trek 5500 originally. What's funny is that when we were comparing measurements, they were pretty darn close. Where did the 54 WSD feel too big? Cervelo's (IMO) feel smaller because of the sloping top tube. All of my other bikes feel big compared to my R3. Just my opinion and glad you're on the right bike now!

I always felt very stretched out...and my saddle was as far forward as possible. I also experienced a bunch of pain issues on the Trek...mainly lower back and hand pain. When I took the bike to a certified fitter, he took one look at me on the bike and said the frame was just too big for me. He said he could try to shorten up the cockpit for a better fit, but it would sacrifice the handling of the bike. Ultimately, he recommended going with a smaller frame. I do feel much better on the 51 Cervelo...it's not 100% perfect yet...but I'm working on that. I need to get a stem with more rise to bring my handlebars up and closer to me. I was originally fit on this bike in a very aggressive riding position, and over the course of the season riding in that position, I feel it is just not for me. I need a bit more of an upright and relaxed position.