Cervelo RCA or Custom Bike

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exctasy
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:34 am

by exctasy

Hi guys,

Unfortunately i totalled my 2016 Cervelo R5, which was my favourite and most comfortable bike. Rode her for a good 2+years.
I cant decide between an RCA 2016 or perhaps look around for my first custom bike.
RCA
- similar geometry which i'm comfortable with for the past 2+years
- WW!!!
- Have always wanted one

Custom
- custom geometry with my ride preference
- No idea how it would ride
- definitely cost more

Currently in my stable, I've got a 2016 Cervelo S5. Love her, however just not as comfortable and lively up inclines as compared to the R5.

Any thoughts anyone? :noidea: :D

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Lelandjt
Posts: 837
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:10 am

by Lelandjt

RCA was soooo sweet. A custom may "fit" you better but it won't be made as well. I know the guy who made them and he's the master of carbon.

Alpine318is
Posts: 134
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 6:30 am
Location: Seattle, WA

by Alpine318is

If you are comfortable with and like your R5 I would just stick with that or get the RCA.
2018 Specialized S-Works Tarmac
SRAM Etap
ENVE 4.5

2018 Bianchi Infinito CV
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ENVE Classics 45

2016 Cervelo P2
Ultegra 6800 Di2
ENVE 6.7

NiFTY
Posts: 1493
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 11:26 pm

by NiFTY

What are you goimg to ask the custom frame builder - can you match the characteristics of my r5 but better? - just get the rca
Evo 4.9kg SL3 6.64kg Slice RS 8.89kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=110579" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

shimmeD
Posts: 544
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:52 pm
Location: eNZed

by shimmeD

Get the rca, since you've always wanted one. OTOH if you've never always wanted a custom, you should. :beerchug:
Less is more.

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wheelsONfire
Posts: 6283
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:15 am
Location: NorthEU

by wheelsONfire

I would also get RCA. But i'm curious of what you'd like from your custom build, if you bought one?
I doubt weight would be as low as the RCA though!
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

exctasy
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:34 am

by exctasy

wheelsONfire wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:25 pm
I would also get RCA. But i'm curious of what you'd like from your custom build, if you bought one?
I doubt weight would be as low as the RCA though!
All I would ask from the custom builder would be as comfortable and nimble as the R5 or even better.
Maybe tweak something to make descending slightly better?
Or maybe I'm just shit descending.
Lol

User avatar
wheelsONfire
Posts: 6283
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:15 am
Location: NorthEU

by wheelsONfire

exctasy wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:08 am
wheelsONfire wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:25 pm
I would also get RCA. But i'm curious of what you'd like from your custom build, if you bought one?
I doubt weight would be as low as the RCA though!
All I would ask from the custom builder would be as comfortable and nimble as the R5 or even better.
Maybe tweak something to make descending slightly better?
Or maybe I'm just shit descending.
Lol
What is the that you're experiencing when you descend?
If you look at Canyon, they use a bit longer chainstays to make the bike more stable.
BMC implement a slacker steering rake (quite much so). This is certainly adding to the effect of slower steering.

The interesting thing with custom framesets, is probably the sizing for those who need different sizing.
Next i would say, is if you're particular about certain traints of handling and opinion of how the bike feels (ride feel).

I have started to look for these things in standard bikes. That is available without custom.
For some this ofcourse hits more traits than for others.
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

FelixTheCat
Posts: 40
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:55 am
Location: Los Angeles

by FelixTheCat

I would stick to what you know and love, and upgrade to the RCA whilst your at it.

exctasy
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:34 am

by exctasy

wheelsONfire wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:22 am
exctasy wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:08 am
wheelsONfire wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:25 pm
I would also get RCA. But i'm curious of what you'd like from your custom build, if you bought one?
I doubt weight would be as low as the RCA though!
All I would ask from the custom builder would be as comfortable and nimble as the R5 or even better.
Maybe tweak something to make descending slightly better?
Or maybe I'm just shit descending.
Lol
What is the that you're experiencing when you descend?
If you look at Canyon, they use a bit longer chainstays to make the bike more stable.
BMC implement a slacker steering rake (quite much so). This is certainly adding to the effect of slower steering.

The interesting thing with custom framesets, is probably the sizing for those who need different sizing.
Next i would say, is if you're particular about certain traints of handling and opinion of how the bike feels (ride feel).

I have started to look for these things in standard bikes. That is available without custom.
For some this ofcourse hits more traits than for others.
I feel like the bike can feel a little more planted during descents?
Could it be that my R5 is 6kg and I'm 55kg?

Stueys
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2014 1:12 pm

by Stueys

exctasy wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:11 am
wheelsONfire wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:22 am
exctasy wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:08 am
wheelsONfire wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:25 pm
I would also get RCA. But i'm curious of what you'd like from your custom build, if you bought one?
I doubt weight would be as low as the RCA though!
All I would ask from the custom builder would be as comfortable and nimble as the R5 or even better.
Maybe tweak something to make descending slightly better?
Or maybe I'm just shit descending.
Lol
What is the that you're experiencing when you descend?
If you look at Canyon, they use a bit longer chainstays to make the bike more stable.
BMC implement a slacker steering rake (quite much so). This is certainly adding to the effect of slower steering.

The interesting thing with custom framesets, is probably the sizing for those who need different sizing.
Next i would say, is if you're particular about certain traints of handling and opinion of how the bike feels (ride feel).

I have started to look for these things in standard bikes. That is available without custom.
For some this ofcourse hits more traits than for others.
I feel like the bike can feel a little more planted during descents?
Could it be that my R5 is 6kg and I'm 55kg?
It’s the R5 trait, I’ve the same critique if mine. Only thing I would change on the bike.

exctasy
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:34 am

by exctasy

@stueys sooo I'm not the only one feeling it :D
I live in a country where there are no long alp descents..but I do overseas ride with such descents at least once a year

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ultimobici
in the industry
Posts: 4460
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:45 pm
Location: Trento, Italia
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by ultimobici

Lelandjt wrote:RCA was soooo sweet. A custom may "fit" you better but it won't be made as well. I know the guy who made them and he's the master of carbon.
Really? I’ve seen several bare RCa frames close up and they aren’t anything special in the quality stakes compared to top custom builders.

Just a Cervelo that is less likely to crack! ;)


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morganb
Posts: 732
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2017 5:30 pm

by morganb

What about something like a Tsubaba? Custom carbon and very light.

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Lelandjt
Posts: 837
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:10 am

by Lelandjt

ultimobici wrote:
Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:00 am
Lelandjt wrote:RCA was soooo sweet. A custom may "fit" you better but it won't be made as well. I know the guy who made them and he's the master of carbon.
Really? I’ve seen several bare RCa frames close up and they aren’t anything special in the quality stakes compared to top custom builders.

Just a Cervelo that is less likely to crack! ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's the layup that makes it special.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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