Cervelo S1 or S2!

mjth2004

Going to try put in a good winters cycling – still pretty much a novice to cycling, only in my second year! But hoping a new bike will help me get out on the bike during the winter months!

A question to those in the know, or if anyone has one of the above bikes, how do you rate them? I’m half thinking of opting for an aluminium frame on the S1 – US$2200 Ultegra build, which seems like decent value! For the level I’m at would a S2 be wasted on me?

Cheers!

Chips Lovell

From what I've read, the S1 is very, very stiff. The carbon might be more comfortable.

crashoveroid

I have had both and loved them i race and prefered the S1 for racing over the S2 as i like the super stiff response that the S1 gives you. The S2 would be my ideal trainning bike its really comfortable and really nice machine S1 is only ok for trainnig as if you hit a bad road it will shake you to bits as the S2 will be really nice.

So if your not racing and just enjoying getting out for a spin i would say go with the S2

mjth2004

Cheers for the quick reply el tonto!

Currently riding a Giant SCR 2 approx. 160 kms a week! How much more uncomfortable would the ride be on a S1?

crashoveroid

mjth2004 wrote: »

Cheers for the quick reply el tonto!

Currently riding a Giant SCR 2 approx. 160 kms a week! How much more uncomfortable would the ride be on a S1?

It would be alot better on the S2 the S1 for me would only be for racing as i trained on my S1 a few times and the roads i were on felt really harsh that are normally not that bad on my S2

mjth2004

Cheers crashoveroid - i hear what your saying regarding bad road surfaces!

I do hope to do some racing aswell but from what i'm reading the S2 is the way to go!

crashoveroid

mjth2004 wrote: »

Cheers crashoveroid - i hear what your saying regarding bad road surfaces!

I do hope to do some racing aswell but from what i'm reading the S2 is the way to go!

Well it would be unless you want to buy two bikes and be foolish with your money like me lol.

Ryaner

I highly recommend the S2. It is designed for bumpy roads unlike the S1/S3 which is designed for flat surfaces.
If you can, the frames are cheaper in Canada where they are made and should I manage to hit my goals next year, that is where I'll be getting mine.
This is the best deal I've found this side of the Atlantic on the S2

mjth2004

Cheers for the link Ryaner!

Word through the office grape-vine here is another bout of pay-cuts coming down the line tomorrow, so reckon S2 might be out of the picture!

Is the S1 really that bad or should I set my eyes something from the Wiggle Focus range for the same monies?

Cheers once again!

Ryaner

The S1 is by no means a bad bike. Cervelo just seem to design the different models with different purposes so unlike say Giant where the SCR1 is the same as the SCR2 just slightly better components, the S1 and S2 are different frames which are designed to do slightly different things.

Truth be told, my main reason for looking at the S2 is that its Carbon and looks nicer :rolleyes: It does get very expensive when you start spec'ing out a new bike though...

Bambaata

slanecycles.com have the S2 frame for approx €2340 (£1999) and are a shop you could at least visit before purchase. Hoping to get me a R3 SL when i win the lotto!!

Lumen

For me the choice would depend on what other bikes I had.

An S1 would probably be perfect as a dedicated race bike (perhaps with Ultegra) and for high intensity training, if I had something like a comfier winter training bike for the rest of the time.

I have doubts about the sanity of racing on a high-end frameset, given the distinct possibility of crashing it.

mjth2004

Cheers for the replies & time lads!

Bambaata - i'm actually heading up to Slane Cycles this weekend for a chat with the lads. Have been talking to them over the phone & they seem like a sound bunch to deal with!

Lumen - i hear you regarding the sanity of racing on a high end frame! I've had two minor spills racing last year during dualthons, so reckon my world would fall apart if i made sh1te of a S2.

The goal is to race some sportives, keep competing in triathlons & enjoy getting saddle time in over the winter! Should I just service my SCR2 & keep as my winter training bike to attack wicklow climbs with, buy a S1 keep it beside the mantel piece in the sitting room - only to break it out on dry days & race days?

Ryaner

I'd say keep the SCR as the winter trainer. Someone as nice as a Cervelo would need to be well kept and cleaning it painful during the winter months.

scottreynolds

mjth2004 wrote: »

Lumen - i hear you regarding the sanity of racing on a high end frame! I've had two minor spills racing last year during dualthons, so reckon my world would fall apart if i made sh1te of a S2.

This is why you get insurance through cycling ireland for racing. A guy in swords a few week came of and cracked his frame. Two weeks later he had a new bike. He said there were no hassles it was expected. I'm not sure about the Triathlon stuff but I presume the deal is similar.

zzzzzzzz

scottreynolds wrote: »

This is why you get insurance through cycling ireland for racing. A guy in swords a few week came of and cracked his frame. Two weeks later he had a new bike. He said there were no hassles it was expected. I'm not sure about the Triathlon stuff but I presume the deal is similar.

Yeah - it looks like a great deal alright - what is it - 120 for the year for any of your bikes up to a value of 7k?

I hope they continue to offer it next year. It seems like the kind of thing that would be open to abuse - especially in the current climate.

Bazzo26

Honestly if you are a bit of a novice, I would'nt go with either, not that I'm saying they're bad. The S2 is probably the best all round racing bike you can buy and the S1 is very good too but they are both single minded racing machines which sacrifice comfort for stifness and aerodynamics, especially in the case of the S2. Do'nt i'm making assumptions that your not strong but the stifness only becomes a factor if you're really strong or heavy >95kg and aerodynamics doesnt make a noticeable difference unless you're going faster than 35km/h. And if it comes down to that you could still probably buy a good carbon bike from wiggle or halfords, add aftersale aero wheels and it would still probably be faster, more comfortable and cheaper than a built up S2