Cervelo C3 as all-rounder?
#1
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Cervelo C3 as all-rounder?
I have been casually looking at bikes lately, sort of thinking of something gravelly but the selection in my area in my size is quite poor. I'm 6'4" with longer legs and a shorter upper body with poor flexibility in my hamstrings and posterior chain so finding something that fits has been problematic. One shop has a 2017 Cervelo C3 105 in my size (61cm) that I have ridden a couple of times and it fits and rides very nicely, but I'm not sure about the tire clearance. Cervelo claims you would get a 32mm tire on the bike but in looking at it yesterday at the shop 30mm seems like it would be a more likely scenario. The bike would be used for road rides, maybe some real light gravel (finely crushed limestone multi use paths or minor exploration) and fair weather speedy commutes, in other words a little bit of everything.
It is also reduced $600 and while still pricey seems like a decent bargain. So thoughts on a 30mm or maybe 32mm width drop bar bike as sort of a do it all type (other than dedicated mountain riding, I have an MTB for that)? Any help or input is appreciated, I may just be looking for some confirmation that my thoughts are reasonable after an impulse road bike buy a few years ago has left me a little gun shy. I can't include a link to specs but a quick google will bring them up if that helps you comment.
It is also reduced $600 and while still pricey seems like a decent bargain. So thoughts on a 30mm or maybe 32mm width drop bar bike as sort of a do it all type (other than dedicated mountain riding, I have an MTB for that)? Any help or input is appreciated, I may just be looking for some confirmation that my thoughts are reasonable after an impulse road bike buy a few years ago has left me a little gun shy. I can't include a link to specs but a quick google will bring them up if that helps you comment.
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Even on more chunky gravel that still fairly well packed, I'd be fine on my 30s as long as I'm not going to be grinding away for too long. 10-15 minutes? Fine. but once we start talking about 10+ miles, I'm probably going to want fatter tires or a different route. This is essentially what I'm doing with my two bikes - the Domane with 30mm semi-slicks is the almost-every-day bike and the Haanjo with 38s is for rides where significant gravel mileage is planned (and when there's snow on the ground).
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I have nominal 28 mm tires that measure 33.1 mm with calipers on my C3.
I think I could probably go to 35 mm if I wanted to, but I might be wrong. And I have no desire to mount bigger rubber.
In my area, 28/32 mm is plenty for dirt roads and light trails.
I love mine.
I think I could probably go to 35 mm if I wanted to, but I might be wrong. And I have no desire to mount bigger rubber.
In my area, 28/32 mm is plenty for dirt roads and light trails.
I love mine.
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A Specialized Diverge is worth a look because of friendly head tube length for your long legs and tire clearance. If you don't want the future shock...I wouldn't, look for a 2017 model.
#5
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I have nominal 28 mm tires that measure 33.1 mm with calipers on my C3.
I think I could probably go to 35 mm if I wanted to, but I might be wrong. And I have no desire to mount bigger rubber.
In my area, 28/32 mm is plenty for dirt roads and light trails.
I love mine.
I think I could probably go to 35 mm if I wanted to, but I might be wrong. And I have no desire to mount bigger rubber.
In my area, 28/32 mm is plenty for dirt roads and light trails.
I love mine.
Thanks for the input everyone, it is much appreciated!
#7
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If I could find a Domane in my size to test ride I would consider it, but again, it's quite a bit more money than the Cervelo for a similarly spec'd bike. I think I may just buy the C3. I rode it on some light gravel during my test ride and it seemed alright with the stock Mavic Yksion tires in a 28mm width (I can't remember which version). I have got to think a set of tires like the Schwalbe G-One's in a 30mm width would only enhance that. Going back to the shop to pick up my Fiance's bikes sometime this weekend so will have to decide before then, but I think I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger.
Any chance you could elaborate a little more on the tire clearance in the rear? If I could fit a measured 32mm tire with no issues I think I will just jump on it.
Any chance you could elaborate a little more on the tire clearance in the rear? If I could fit a measured 32mm tire with no issues I think I will just jump on it.
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He has wide rims and his tires, which the manufacturer specs as 28mm, measure 33mm+ when inflated on his wide rims. So yes, a measured 32mm tire would clear.
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However, the tires I ride every day measure out to 33+ mm. They definitely fit and have a very tiny bit of extra room to clear mud. Mine is the older C3, but I don't think they changed anything except the paint, meaning if they clear mine, they'll clear the one you're looking at. I'm heavy by roadie standards too.
For what it's worth I've had mine for ~9 months and I'm very, very happy with it.
#10
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I'll try to get you a picture. I have a real camera with a lens that's good for close up stuff like this, but the battery charger went missing and at the moment all I have is a cell phone.
However, the tires I ride every day measure out to 33+ mm. They definitely fit and have a very tiny bit of extra room to clear mud. Mine is the older C3, but I don't think they changed anything except the paint, meaning if they clear mine, they'll clear the one you're looking at. I'm heavy by roadie standards too.
For what it's worth I've had mine for ~9 months and I'm very, very happy with it.
However, the tires I ride every day measure out to 33+ mm. They definitely fit and have a very tiny bit of extra room to clear mud. Mine is the older C3, but I don't think they changed anything except the paint, meaning if they clear mine, they'll clear the one you're looking at. I'm heavy by roadie standards too.
For what it's worth I've had mine for ~9 months and I'm very, very happy with it.
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Resurrecting an old thread as I just ordered a C3 (Excel had a good deal on 2018s) frameset. I'm hoping to run 30-32 tires on my wide (22 internal) rims. Seattle Forest, what tires where you running and what was the internal width on your rims?
TIA
TIA
#12
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I still have the stock rims and 28mm tires (that measure pretty much bang on 28mm) on the bike, but I am really enjoying the bike, smooth, fast and fun!
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25 mm internal rims
The front has plenty of room, it's where the chainstays join the BB where you're constrained.
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Thanks guys! I'm really looking forward to building and riding the C3. It will become my all rounder road bike. I'm pretty sure I'll run the WTB Exposure 30 tires tubeless on it. Expensive tires at full retail, but they ride really nice tubeless.
#15
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I just received my C3 on Monday from Excel sports. Smoking deal for sure! Hope to get my first ride this weekend as I have been putting it together all week. Mine is a mostly Dura Ace 9170 build with home built DT240/Chi carbon tubeless rimmed wheels.
I got the red frame and it looks awesome in person.
I got the red frame and it looks awesome in person.
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I just received my C3 on Monday from Excel sports. Smoking deal for sure! Hope to get my first ride this weekend as I have been putting it together all week. Mine is a mostly Dura Ace 9170 build with home built DT240/Chi carbon tubeless rimmed wheels.
I got the red frame and it looks awesome in person.
I got the red frame and it looks awesome in person.
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That's a good looking bike, what size is it? Looks pretty big.
I've been eyeing that Excel sale for several days now. Good thing that they didn't have any in my size or I'd really have to think about N+1.
#20
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It’s a 58cm. The tires are 28m 4000s that measure out more like 30mm. I don’t think I will have any need to go bigger.
I am am still messing around with stem size, saddle position, etc (I just switched the seatpost back to an Ergon CF3). As far as the ride goes it is pretty different that the titanium bikes I have ridden for the last 2.5 years. The titanium frames seem like they soaked up the bumps better, buts it not like the C3 does a poor job of it because it doesn’t (my roads are 3rd world btw). Power transfer is better on the C3 and handling is generally better sorted. My rides generally consist of either going up a steep hill or down a steep hill. The bike feels incredibly planted going down. Climbs nice too!
I am am still messing around with stem size, saddle position, etc (I just switched the seatpost back to an Ergon CF3). As far as the ride goes it is pretty different that the titanium bikes I have ridden for the last 2.5 years. The titanium frames seem like they soaked up the bumps better, buts it not like the C3 does a poor job of it because it doesn’t (my roads are 3rd world btw). Power transfer is better on the C3 and handling is generally better sorted. My rides generally consist of either going up a steep hill or down a steep hill. The bike feels incredibly planted going down. Climbs nice too!
#21
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I've done Washington, Sherman, Loup Loup, Harts, and Blewett Passes on mine. I can cosign the part about the C3 being a great climber and a great descender.
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I recently acquired a 2018 C3 from Excel Sports (white with Ultegra). The stock Aksium wheels aren't great, but it's certainly a comfortable bike and handling is fine. I've been riding it here in Washington for the past couple of months. I plan to park it out of state so I have a bike to ride when I visit family several times per year.
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I have the C5, almost identical to the C3. Rear clearance is about 33mm actual (measured), not the number on your tires. So it's all depending on the wheel rim width (internal). With the wider ENVE 4.5AR, the Schwalbe G-One 30mm expands to a tad more than 32mm and it barely clears. It's one of the biggest complaint I have about the C series form Cervelo. One option would be going to 650c wheels, and it would give you another couple of mm in clearance by the look of it.
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I got a C3 a few years ago. Over time, it became my favorite ride. I slowly got rid of most other bikes, sold the C3 and got a C5. The 28s are fine for me on cinder trails, dirt, and gravel.