helmet4000

I wanted an aero bike, but they are quite pricey. I found a 2008 Cervelo Soloist (with an aluminum frame) on the pro's closet for $999. The bike had a SRAM Force 10-speed full groupset---something I loved on an old bike I had.


I have a set of Hyper X 50mm wheels that I bought a little while ago for a non-aero bike (Fuji Altamira) so I put those on and put some Fulcrums Race 5's on the Fuji. The 2008 Cervelo Soloist seems legitimately aero when combined with the Hyper X wheels and GP5000 25mm tires. 15 PR's across 8 rides and the average speed 17.8 compared to 16.9mph across 40 rides on the Altamira with the same wheelset. The Altamira has a slightly more aggressive top end gear 53/39 with 11/25 vs. 53/39 with 12/25 on the Cervelo. The Altamira weighted about 17.2lbs, the Cervelo is about 16.5lbs.


Cervelo climbs better than I thought too but not as well as the Altamira. I am not particularly flexible (yet) so my handlebars are set with all but one spacer below stem. Even so, the aluminum Cervelo flies (with carbon fork, seatpost, and quality Hyper X wheelset).


There are several other aluminum "aero" bikes I tried for but could not get my hands on: Merida Reacto 400 (seller wouldn't ship to USA), Giant makes an aluminum propel but can't seem to get in the USA, I believe Felt makes an aluminum AR15 but not sure if it ships into USA.

Compliance on the 2008 Cervelo as I have it set up leaves nothing to be desired. Feel fine after a 2-hour ride (haven't had time for anything longer).

RiceAWay

Deep aero wheels make a lot of difference. It you had one of the latest $10,000 Aero bikes you could probably detect a slight additionally added benefit when you're coasting but beyond that I would doubt it. So it you want aero just get good aero wheels and an integrated handlebar. I suggest the handlebar because unlike a carbon bar and stem they do not rotate when you hit a pothole which happened to me several times before I wised up.

Bah Humbug

I have the final year of that bike, differing only in the fork. "Compliant" is not a word I would use for it, but it is fast when running naked (no bottles or bag, as you have it). Aero handlebars will make it even faster. Very nice.

helmet4000

any recommendations on aero bars?

Kimmo 

That hasn't been an issue for me since 31.8 bars became a thing. Use some assembly paste in the clamp.

Kimmo 

Toseek copy of Aeronova.

Maelochs

They do flex some but I have been using them on one of my Workswells since 205 without the slightest complaint---and they were ridiculously cheap.

rubiksoval

Nooooo.

They flex like nothing I've ever seen. And when I say flex, I mean standing with your hand in the drop and moving the bars vertically by a centimeter plus. And mine even made a few cracking noises, at which point I pulled them off.

Once off, I, squeezed the bottoms together a bit, and they snapped at the cable entry point on the hood.

I have a Chinese frame/fork, wheels, seatpost, and seat, and have ridden them all in p/1/2 crits and training, so I'm the first to say when stuff is good. But these bars are absolutely not. And I'm only 165 lbs putting out 1400 watts max. I have the real 3T aeronovas, too, and while they're still flexy, they're way less flexy than these bars. And I'm confident they're not going to snap in half when I spring from the hoods. Well worth the extra $150.

Kimmo 

QC is patchy, or non-existent. You've gotta try to break them before you use them. I got the creaking sounds in all three of mine when I flexed them the first time, another one a mate bought was a bit more expensive and may have been QCed since it never creaked.

At first I found them too flexy, bit then I swapped my Kalloy Uno for a Zipp Service Course and it was fine.

Bah Humbug

I used the Aeronova alloys on mine.

helmet4000

Will stay on the lookout for any deals.