Brogi3K

Hello all,

Hoping for some insight regarding these two bikes I'm taking a look at today (from private sellers). Some info: I'm 6'3 220, low body fat, good condition, new to cycling & going to start training for my first Tri.

Reading about '15 Cervelo R3 terrifies me regarding the BBright and makes me think everything is going to "pop" as soon as I put some power into it. The bike I'm looking at is also being sold b/c the husband wrecked but did zero damage to the frame--sketchy, I know. They claim the damage is only cosmetic and I can see as much in the pics. They claim the frame is unscathed and in perfect shape. Low miles, I believe. Utilizing the Ultegra 6800 series.

The '09 Trek Madone 5.2 is older and carries the Ultegra SL lineup which I believe belongs to the 6600 Ice Gray offering. The bike seems to be cared for more diligently and received regular, if not substantial use. The gentleman mentioned he recently replaced the rear cassette and chain, handlebar tape, and it does have a more aero wheelset. Most importantly, tho, the frame is the OCLV variant (110, I believe) that was made in Wisconsin at the time. This gives me confidence (should it?) that the tolerances were more scrutinized, and considering the bike looks to be in fantastic shape, this would appear to be a time-tested ox. But is that bad for potentially having too many miles?? So many questions.

I'm not planning on doing any upgrades or scans of the frames b/c I'm using this as my entry bike to get me through the season and perhaps through 1 or 2 triathlons. If things get more serious, I will upgrade either next year or the year after--so a 2-year time frame on this bike. Also, I'm only paying $700 for both, so please do consider that in your analysis. I feel like both are good options for the price but fear I'm missing something obvious that a veteran of the cycling world would catch just by reading this post.

I had some links in there for each bike but can't post them b/c I haven't made 10 posts yet. I will link them as soon as possible. Please let me know if you would like to chime in and require more info. I appreciate everyone's time. I do plan on being a regular around here for quite a while.

Thanks.

Maelochs

Buy both.

Brogi3K

Ha, I should have clarified... each bike is asking $700. I'm not interested in two bikes.

big john

Are they the right size for you? Have you had a chance to ride them or do you know your fit ?

Brogi3K

Well, they are both size 58 frames and that's what I remember measuring out to (maybe 59?) for a Cannondale CAAD 10+ years ago. I know that's probably a horrible way to gauge this, but I did test ride two used bikes at my LBS last week and one was a Cannondale System size 56 that I felt cramped on, the other was a size 57 Klein that was better, but still not perfect.

big john

I'm about 6'2" and I've never ridden anything smaller than a 62. I have long arms and can't get real low in front so I need the bar higher than some.
Also, frames from different makers can fit different even if they have the same size number.

I know a 59 top tube works for me and I like a 220 or 230mm head tube so I don't have a ton of spacers. I'm borderline on needing a custom frame but some off the shelf frames work and some do not. Also, I'm old.

bampilot06

You are doing it wrong.

N+1. Mo BeTta

bampilot06

Do the trek, the other bike was crashed.
I have a 2011 madone with 105 10 speed. I have added a power meter, carbon wheels and swapped out the cockpit and now use it for crits.

phrantic09

Don’t buy a bike that was crashed, but otherwise I’d pick the R3. I’ve had two bikes with BBRight bottom brackets and never had an issue.

bampilot06

or it could be a lemon like my creakvelo and creak.

Maelochs

I am also about 6'2" inches but it i is all legs ... my torso looks like a swollen basketball on a four-foot step ladder. I ride (oddly enough) a Chinese clone of a 2015 Cervelo R .... in 56 cm. I like it because it has the head and seat angles of a racy bike but a taller than usual head tube, so I don't have to reach so far.

For a more normally proportioned person 6'2" I would suggest a 58, or possibly more .... but whatever seems okay is okay ... with me, since it is not my bike.

bargainguy

One of the things I've found is that nothing replaces a test ride. A corollary is that no bike should be purchased before a test ride if you haven't ridden it before.

We can speculate all day on which bike might work better for you - for any number of reasons - but it's hard to predict fit and feel from a distance.

One of these might work, but there might also be a different bike out there that would be even better, and used prices are dropping as we speak.

All options open, in other words. Lots more than a 15 yr. old Trek and a 9 yr. old Cervelo to choose from.

MidTNBrad

I have a 2015 R3 and I love it. I've clocked about 15,000 miles since I got it in early 2016. I'm 6'3 and ~205 pounds with a slightly taller torso than average and ride the 61cm model with a 5mm spacer under the stem. The bike came with 6800 series Di2 and I've had zero problems with the groupset or the bike in general. If the bike is unscathed in the wreck, I'd pay $700 for it. Even if the BB started creaking you could replace it and still have a great bike for under $1,000. One thing to mention is that I have 25mm tires on mine and that's about as large as the bike will allow. Also, it has rim brakes if that bothers you.

base2 

I have a 2016 R5 so I may be a bit biased. The 2016 R5 is the 2015 R5 RCA. It even says RCA on the seat tube sticker. The 2016 R2 & R3 have a different carbon lay up than the R5. Different lower grade of carbon was used in the lower models. Or conversely, higher grades of carbon subbed in for several layers on the R5.

For the 2015 (non-RCA) and prior the frame in the bottom bracket area, while still BBright is narrower than on later models. The earlier frames are also heavier than the 2016 and later. In 2017 Cervelo started introducing disc brakes and trickling down the relevant parts of the R5 RCA layup. So far as I know, 2016 was also the first year they were made by (sumthin'-sumthin')Metals Corp in China. 2015 & before we're made in Canada. At least as much as I understand.

Rotor and many other brands accommodate the BBright bottom bracket standard. The BB for 2016 and later (with the wider frame) is a Rotor PF4630. For the others earlier models (& I may be mistaken), I believe any PF30 BB can be made to work because the crank set doesn't need the additional standoff to clear the frame near the shell. I welcome any correction from a more knowledgeable person with experience because that means the selections of BB's for the OP's early model is greatly multiplied if I am correct.

Other of note: Cervelo used a 1&3/8 lower headset bearing. That's right. Half way between 1&1/4 & 1&1/2. They did this to. streamline the way the stress passes through the frame. It's not a big deal. The bearing is as common as any other you've just got to find it.

Brogi3K

Wow, such wonderful feedback from you all so quickly! I really appreciate it, lots to consider here. I will keep you updated and hopefully be posting a pic soon of my "new" bike. I intend to drop it off at the LBS for a full tuneup after purchase.

Thanks again, everyone!

Maelochs

Seriously, @Brogi3K ... buy them both. A month from now you can sell whichever you don't like ... or have a second bike .... believe me, none of us thought we'd have more than one ... and few of us have less than two ..... it happens.

If you buy them both and one doesn't work ... you are still riding. if you buy them both and the first one you try is perfect every time you ride for the first month ... put in online for $850 and sell it for whatever you paid for it. No problem.

choddo

I don’t know if the geometry changed much in the various generations of Madone but I’m 6’2, wear 34” leg jeans, and ride a 2019 58cm and it’s a perfect fit. Can sometime clip the integrated bars with a knee when climbing aggressively out of the saddle but that’s probably my flawed technique.

i also sold the bike I had prior to that after crashing and to be honest I’d been riding it for months afterwards, it never even occurred to me to tell the buyer I’d had a fall, the bike seemed so completely unaffected I’d forgotten it might even be an issue. My arm on the other hand had a deep scar to show for it.

I think the idea of buying both and selling the one you least like is very interesting. Probably depends how confident you are about the R3.