[Edit: Chose the Orbea]...between 2 bikes Cervelo vs. Orbea

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8bitmarlon
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Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:54 am

by 8bitmarlon

I went with the Orbea.

So I've been on a search for a new bike and all of my findings have led me to a

Cervelo R3 Shimano 105 and a Orbea Orca Bronze Rival

Both bikes seem fairly comparable on paper, the Cervelo was a nice ride and felt great on the climbs during my test ride. The Orbea on the other hand would be a blind buy as I'd order it online. After a long ordeal of test rides the only thing keeping the Orbea in the mix is the price, which is nearly $700 less than the Cervelo would be after taxes and all. I have taken into consideration the LBS support, maintenance, fit and such things, but I'm not one that shy's away from working and fitting myself on my bike.

The other bikes I've test ridden were Argon 18 Gallium, Giant Defy, Litespeed L5 L3?, Trek Domane, Focus Izalco and Cayo Evo, and Cannondale Supersix.

Of all of those bikes the Cervelo really did fit me best and weighed in at 7.9 kilos? 17 ish lbs. Only thing under that was the Gallium which had a full DuraAce kit and so forth.

So with all that said, I guess I'm going to turn to the experience and knowledge of the forum for some insight.

BTW: I plan on racing 2 sprint triathlons this year, group rides and maybe a few local events and a whole lot of training.

EDIT: corrected my error on the Rival drivetrain.
Last edited by 8bitmarlon on Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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btompkins0112
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Location: Mississippi

by btompkins0112

Rival 11 speed?? Rival is still 10 speed to the best of my knowledge....

rich00
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Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:21 pm

by rich00

Hi,

Just a correction 11 speed is on the Force and Red at the moment, Rival is still 10 speed.

Stick with the Cervelo as that feels the best for yoyu. There is nothing worse than taking a blind shot and then having realising that you should have stuck with your first choice.

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8bitmarlon
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by 8bitmarlon

You guys are right! I just went back and checked, and I stand corrected.. not sure why I thought the rival was 11 speed. Just looking at way too many things I guess.

eric
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by eric

I've bought bikes on line (and via mail order before the WWW) and it's worked out ok, but a bike you have ridden is a known quantity.

Unless it didn't feel good under you or you dislike Cervelo for some reason, and you can swing the price, then get the R3.
I can personally vouch for Cervelo standing by their warranty.

LoggingMiles
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Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:46 pm

by LoggingMiles

8bitmarlon wrote:Both bikes seem fairly comparable on paper, the Cervelo was a nice ride and felt great on the climbs during my test ride. The Orbea on the other hand would be a blind buy as I'd order it online.


As others have said, this would be enough for me. I have also bought bikes blind, but if I was happy with one that I was able to test ride, that would make my decision a lot easier.

johnnyscans
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Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:33 pm

by johnnyscans

My shop is putting the finishing touches on my new R3. The bike fits me like a dream and I loved riding it on the test rides.

All it really needs is a wheel upgrade and you're looking at a pretty killer machine overall. Also, as others have said, fit > everything.

justkeepedaling
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Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:14 am

by justkeepedaling

The Orca is nice, but I much preferred the new R3. If you can spring the extra cash, like you said, the R3 feels amazing when climbing. It's just so responsive.

Routier
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Location: UK

by Routier

Whereabouts do you live OP? I only ask because there are many of us stuck in a blackhole waiting endlessly for Cervelo Europe to supply us with a warranty replacement frame after the original has failed due to poor design and/or construction.

It's been four months and counting for me since my claim was started and I'm no closer to getting my bike back!!! If you live in Europe then I suggest you go with the Orbea.

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8bitmarlon
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by 8bitmarlon

I live in the states Reno/Tahoe area to be more exact. Locally we only have 1 Orbea and 1 Cervelo dealer.. the Orbea dealer doesn't even carry them in stock (would just place an order for what you wanted).

I think what most people saying about the known factor of the Cervelo fit is about right. I'm concerned slightly about that sort of build quality issue with Cervelo but being that the frame has a lifetime warranty on defects and build quality, I think I can rest easily and have a local dealer to help me with the process if anything goes south.

eric
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by eric

I got one of the first R3s in 2006. The BB shell came unbonded from the frame in 2009. Cervelo warrantied the frame with no question. I took the opportunity to upgrade to an R3SL, paying the difference in price which at the time was not that expensive (especially compared to a new R3SL frame).

Cervelo also had them in stock in my size while I'd have had to wait a month or two for an R3.

johnnyscans
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by johnnyscans

If you're in the states the Cervelo warranty is pretty top notch. Overseas warranty claims apparently leaves much to be desired, but I can't speak about this on a personal level.

In order to help you assuage your fears surrounding Cervelo, here are a few pieces of information.

-Calfee designs, one of the leading carbon repair specialists in the states, has nothing but good things to say about Cervelo products.

-Cervelo is one of the few manufacturers that has a forum on their website. http://forums.cervelo.com/forums/t/11068.aspx - see the fourth post; warranty return rate is far below the industry norm.

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8bitmarlon
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by 8bitmarlon

So I made my decision after test riding the Cervelo again and 2 other bikes that were very similar to the Orbea geometry and decided that the Orbea was going to be my best option when it came to fit, future upgrades, and budget.

So here it is.. weighing in pretty heavy at 8.67 kg (gotta fix that)

Image

tinozee
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by tinozee

I like both frames. The Orbea frame looks nice with the non-sloping tt. You might look into rotating the bars forwardso the flat part of the drops is almost parallel to the ground.

Enjoy the riding and racing!

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Svetty
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by Svetty

tinozee wrote:I like both frames. The Orbea frame looks nice with the non-sloping tt. You might look into rotating the bars forwardso the flat part of the drops is almost parallel to the ground.

Enjoy the riding and racing!


Agree - brifters are too high reflecting the bar rotation problem. I hope this doesn't reflect the fit - else you've bought the wrong bike :shock:

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