Trek 5200/5500 to Cervelo Advice?

[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.