w.ftw

Hey Everyone, this is a great website with a lot of great information. I have been lurking around for few month and finally decided to get some advice.

I have a Cervelo S2, Reynolds Attack Wheelset, with 23 sizes Vitorria Rubino tires, fizik bar tape. I think the bike is a little bit more harsh than my Allez. I am not sure what is causing the harshness. I ride mostly on chip seal roads. I am looking for any suggustions to make the bike feel more comfortable because I am really beat up after a 30 mile bike ride. Even my hands feel numb and hurt during and after the ride. I am not sure if it is my fitness or something with the bicycle itself - I don't think it is a fitness issue because I did not have such problems with my Allez. What has worked for other people? Chaining the tires up?

fa63

How much do you weigh, and what are the tire pressures front and rear?

fstshrk

Your hands could go numb from vibration or from a fit issue.

cvall91

My fingers would go numb for days sometimes and after a lot of research I realized I was placing my hands wrong. Even the smallest things can make a big difference, especially when your riding for hours.

Jed19

This is a place to start. Some bikes, however, are harsher/more stiff than others. I have been on some frames that are really harsh, not that there is anything wrong with that per se, but riding my regular 65miler road rides would be torturous on some frames. And when shopping for bike frames, it is important to me that the frame is not super harsh, although I prefer stiff bikes.

Stiff without being harsh is kinda nice.

w.ftw

About 200, front and rear tires are about 95 psi.

hhnngg1

You should have been warned by the LBS that the Cervelos are super stiff racing bikes. They are NOT comfort bikes, and they are not engineered to absorb shock aside from them being plain carbon.

I have posted many, many times comparing my $650 Giant aluminum bike to my Cervelo carbon bike and how the aluminum is a smoother, more comfortable ride than the Cervelo despite costing nearly 4x less. Most people here don't believe me and write me off as a quack when I post it, but it's absolutely true, and I think you're finding the very same thing out firsthand.

At my LBS, they warned me before buying the bike that despite it being carbon, it's so rough a ride that they've had customers actually rattle components off the bike (sounds like an exaggeration to me, but that's what they told me, straight up. So I knew what to expect.)

The frame geometry can have a big impact on the ride.

If you are still annoyed with the harshness and want to take off the edge, you can run 25c tires on the Cervelo, which helps a lot. I actually didn't like the feel of 25cs, so I only run 23cs, but the effect of 25s was pretty substantial in terms of shock absorption even at same PSI.

fa63

If the numbness is not fit-related, and you are running those kind of pressures and still find the ride harsh, then the frame is probably a factor. With that said, you can probably take some of the sting out with good quality 25 mm tires (not sure if they will fit a S2, though) as already mentioned. Or better yet, get a pair of tubeless compatible wheels and slap on some tubeless tires. My aluminum frame, which can downright harsh with certain tire/wheel combinations, rides very smooth with 23 mm front / 25 mm rear tubeless tires.

Perp

My S2 rides quite harsh as well. When I switch to my Tarmac, it feels like my rear tire is flat in comparison. I'm going to try to run 25s myself.

pdedes

25 mm tires are an inexpensive place to start. Don't overinflate and post some feedback.

w.ftw

Alright, I will take a look at 25mm tires as a start. It is good to hear that other people are having the same problem. I was getting really annoyed with it.

I <3 Robots

Mostly chip seal roads?
Not sure what you can really do to soften up the ride besides the mentioned 25c tires. The S2 is a fairly harsh riding bike. It doesn't feel any different than my half aluminum System Six. My S2 has never left me feeling beat up...but I don't ride mostly chip seal roads.

Maybe should have went with an R3?

w.ftw

really thinking about selling the frame and buying something else

JoelS

Unfortunately, sometimes that's really the best solution.

Hapsmo911

I would check your fit first, see whats different to your other bike. I would then swap the wheels out with the other bike. Then try new gloves, tape, tires and maybe some carbon bars. It would suck to sell a good frame and buy something and end up with the same problem.

kneed2wrydemore

Your S2 is not plush and is not ment to be. It's sought after mostly be the racing crowd, where as, the newer generation R3s (and older for that matter) are the Cervelo of choice for enduracne, climbing and with proper set up....racing. My 2012 R3 rides smooth and absorbs road buzz extremely well, even with the subpar Fulcrum Racing T wheels that were slapped on at the factory (knowing most owner will supply their own). In truth, I'm comparing it to a Scott Addict and Cannodale Super Six.

Check out the Cervelo Forum. Everything you want to know and more about the S2 is there. Check out the show me your bike pictures and see how they set up their S2s. There is no way those bike can be used for long days in the saddle.

Also, numb hands=poor fit.....

linus

I had R3-SL. It was the most uncomfortable ride I've ever had.

darb85

had S2, Hated the Ride. Jeebus that thing was a beast. Fast as all get out but the ride sucked. Went to A venge last year, better, now have a Tarmac SL4, that thing is glorious. Dont miss my S2. Thought about an R3 but the New tarmac just impressed me so much.

hueyhoolihan

and don't forget that you can reduce the PSI on 25mm's as well and maintain the same safety margin from pinch flats. how much? i'd start by reducing by 4 PSI and go from there.

escarpment

Its the bike, allez is super plush, cervelo is super stiff

w.ftw

Just bought some Comti 4000 black chili 25mm, should have them in on Friday and let you guys know if I feel the difference.

bobones

Fizik tape is pretty thin. You could try some gel tape, even double wrap it or use the bar phat type pads under it. Might help with vibrations to hands.

patentcad

My S2 is the most comfortable bicycle I have ever ridden, period the end.

You're all hopelessly fat fred lunkheads.

Get a hybrid.

WHOOOSSHHH...

For crying out loud..

patentcad

Harash?