You Can Buy Speed
The email from Thom said, “Come home early from work, I’ll make it worth your while.” Boy did he ever! I walked into the house to find mini tacos for lunch and a new Cervelo S3. This is the bike Fabian Cancellara rode to a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Olympic road race. This is the bike the pro riders on the Cerevelo Test Team ride. And I can totally see why; it is fast!
Thom knew I would probably never have bought myself a new race bike. But Competitive Cyclist really cut their price on the 2009s and I’ve done about all I can to drop the weight off me. The new bike weighs 6.5 pounds less than my Rivendell Legolas and is incredibly aerodynamic.
How much more speed does that get me? Last weekend I averaged 7.5 miles per hour on our ride to the Junction on Mount Diablo and I was pretty cooked when I got there. Today I averaged 8.1 miles per hour and could have kept riding at that pace. Time wise I was SIX minutes faster from the Gate to the Junction.
On flat rides or rollers the bike is just as quick. I’ve taken it out on two other rides ( 3 rides in the 4 days I’ve had. It was pouring rain one day!) Previously Thom has always been a bit quicker than me on shorter rides but I’m dropping him like a stone now. He’s okay with that; it means the bike was worth the money. 
The bike came built up with Sram Force components and Fulcrum Race 7 wheels. I’m pretty happy with it all. I do need to get a shorter stem as the reach is just a little long. That’s on order and will be here before next weekend.
Fast is Fun!
Click on the thumbnail to see more pictures.
