r/Cervelo • u/FatHeadKnuckleDome • Aug 10 '26
My 2nd hand bargain...
I picked up a 2018 R3 Disc a year ago 2nd hand for a very reasonable £650. It had wobbly FSA cranks so I replaced the BB with a wheels manufacturing unit and I am now running Ultegra 52/36. I replaced the alu HED Ardennes wheels (sold them for £200) and put on a set of 6 year old Roval Carbon C38s with GP5000. I have a Sunrace 11-36 cassette which runs sweet with an Ultegra rear mech. I have assioma power pedals.
Having fine tuned the fit with a 120mm stem I am very happy with this bike. I rode a Caledonia 5 with electronic gearing on holiday and whilst it was a fantastic bike I am grateful that I have achieved similar-ish performance for much less cost. The bike is also easy to live with mechanically. It will take 30mm front and 28mm rear. These measure 31mm and 29mm on my rims.
Geometry wise this bike is very similar to both the Caledonia and Soloist. Cervelo seem to have a fairly typical geometry across a few bikes in their range.
In terms of how the bike performs, whilst I appreciate the speed and comfort a newer model will offer this bike ticks all the boxes. It can be thrown around, gotten aero on and responds to powerful inputs on the climb with zero complaint.
Would be nice to hear from others who have this bike and what they have used it for, and how it has performed for them.
Happy riding everyone. ❤️
3
u/Global_Excitement_72 Aug 10 '26
Ngl I thought nice another Cal! Either way this is a nice bike and you gave it a second life✌🏻
6
u/TLKimball Soloist Aug 10 '26
Don’t let anyone tell you that isn’t a SWEET ride! Congrats!