OK, now I know in the beginning I said I would talk about my journey and what works well for me and realize I’ve done a mediocre job re. the journey and even worse for what works well for me but here it goes. This is a post about my bikes and what has “worked well” for my Super Clydesdale body.
New Road Bike
In 2012, I decided it was time to upgrade my road bike. I was a man on a mission trying to lose weight with a bad knee so thought the best way to accomplish that would be to spend time on a bike. Not to mention, my GIANT had carried me through numerous training rides, MS150’s from Houston to Austin and was 13 years old. She was ready for retirement although still gets an occasional workout here and there.
Considering my background is in procurement, I have a tendency to research, analyze, evaluate and OVER analyze many items I plan to purchase especially those larger ticket items and for those familiar with bikes, know they are definitely considered “LARGE TICKET items.” Bikes have definitely improved since buying my entry level Giant almost 14 years ago. All I know is I definitely need/want a component upgrade from my Giant. It served me well but if I’m buying, I may as well improve from what I have. I mean, what 300 lb. guy isn’t looking for lighter components right? So after many months of deliberating, reading bike reviews and quick test rides at various LBS’, I decide I’m a fan of Cervelo but which one. Well, I knew I eventually wanted to do triathlons but considering my weight at the time, I wasn’t really interested in a tri bike. Hmm, what’s this thing called S5? You mean it’s a road bike but with an aero frameset like a tri bike. Let’s try this thing out…it’s light, has a nice feel and wow, it actually seems faster. OK, I’m sold but wow the price. Well after finally getting over the initial sticker shock and shopping the best deal…it’s time to bite the bullet so I buy a 2012 Cervelo S5 Team Ultegra and upgrade the wheels to SRAM S60 aero wheels. (NOTE: I was told those wheels are more durable for someone my size yet faster than the stock wheels and I MUST say that has certainly been true. I’ve had no issues with the wheels. ) However, I was NOT a fan of the stock Fizik saddle so spent many months, saddle sores and tubes of cream trying out numerous brand saddles. Now I’m sure Fizik makes a great saddle but it didn’t fit my Super Clydesdale body very well. Let me just clarify, I got in the wrong line at some point because I was blessed with a gut rather than a butt so definitely needed more padding. I go back to my Giant and look at that saddle since it had thousands of miles on it. When I purchased that bike, I remember thinking I just wanted to be comfortable so bought a big gel saddle but I can’t put one that big on my new bike. It appears that the word once read Serfas albeit faint and worn now so back to the computer. Just as bikes, saddles have also come a long way and I see Serfas actually makes smaller saddles too. Finally, I found it…the Serfa’s Rx Performance saddle and wow, it feels good. It may not be the most glamorous with Rx posted on the side but don’t tell that to my backside (NOTE: they’ve since come out with a newer performance saddle without this lettering). It has been a savior. In fact so much, I’m considering switching it to my new bike but more on that later.
Once I have the saddle issues resolved, I like the bike even more. I’m now comfortable so able to ride longer and actually makes me faster (at least in my mind). The S5 earns the name Black Betty inspired from the song by Ram Jam that was on my playlist one day while I was riding. If listening to that song doesn’t inspire you to pedal faster, well maybe you should consider a scooter. Here’s a pic of her racked and ready for my first sprint triathlon last May. Even my boys know her as Black Betty. Maybe that’s because we listened to the song numerous times that morning for my mental pump up on the way to the race.
Doesn’t she even look fast?! Makes me want to take her down from the garage rack and go for a ride. Cervelo has since made some changes to their S5 shortening the head tube that many felt made it look awkward but I wouldn’t have changed anything. I’m a big fan of this bike and you can’t go wrong with purchasing the S5 regardless of your size.
Tri Bike
Well, it was a little more than 2 years ago when I bought the S5. Although I’m enjoying it, training for Ironman has certainly been raking up the miles. Other people I ride with are on tri bikes so I begin wondering if I should also make the switch. You always here it’s about efficiency for an IM event right. Well, if I can stay in the aero position, that would certainly help during head winds and does provide another position that is allegedly comfortable. After all, I have also lost 50+ lbs. by now so maybe I am ready. Although I was ready, it took my wife a little more convincing since in her mind, I already had a new bike. She eventually came around but needless to say, I have my birthday, Father’s day and any other day presents for a while now.
As mentioned above, I’m a fan of Cervelo and enjoy my S5 so much that there was really very little consideration to anything but a Cervelo. Basically it was between the P3 and P5 and what year? Since I have Ultegra on my S5, I knew I wanted Dura-Ace but did I need the Di2. It seems nice but after talking with my coach and others, I decided it wasn’t a necessity for me. I was more concerned with the new position I would have to get used to and I can always upgrade later. Now P3 or P5…well at that point it was about availability and price. There happened to be a 58cm 2014 P5 in stock and although I like the new red color scheme and new HED wheels, I couldn’t justify the additional dollars for red vs. black. So here she is…
2014 Cervelo P5 Dura-Ace with Magura RT8 brakes, Garmin Vector pedals and of course XLab bottle system and mounts. The 2014 P5 came with Mavic Cosmic wheels so I decided to go with something a little lighter and more aero so upgraded to Zipp 404 Firecrest on front and 808 Firecrest on rear. So far I have kept the stock ISM Prologue saddle on the bike but that may soon be changing. Yes, I’ve been fit numerous times and have quite a few miles on her but still can’t seem to get used to it. I think the nose is a little wide for me personally but many people I talk to really enjoy this saddle which is why I’ve given it this long.
I definitely like this bike but it has taken me some time to get used to it. My S5 was so much more comfortable but I expected that much. The bike is built out to its max meaning all the stack pads are used, etc. Now, I like the aero position and getting more used to it but it took some adjustments to the aero bars. Being a Super Clydesdale, I’m broad shouldered so found my breathing was restricted when in aero position and my HR always seemed to increase quickly. Now I know the gut has something to do with that as well but even my bike fit expert suggested I extend the aero bars so I emailed Cervelo for any suggestions. Cervelo recommended the Zipp Vuka pad wing extension and what a life saver. (NOTE: Cervelo’s customer support has always been very quick and responsive.) Once I received the part from Zipp, it allowed me to adjust more than 1″ on each side and I also bought the Cee Gees cushy pads for added comfort and a little more height. Overall, these adjustments have really made my bike and positioning more comfortable so becoming a big fan of this bike and so far…no issues with anything other than getting used to the saddle. (NOTE: I will say I saw a Specialized Shiv and it seems to have a little more adjustability for the aero bars than my P5 so if you’re big and broad shouldered like me, you may want to look into that as well.)
Here’s a pic of both of them together. What’s missing…the R5? Not unless I get sponsored by Cervelo. LOL!
Happy Riding!
I feel more connected to my city’s culture and vibe thanks to my ebike.