Broximo Prestige Steeds proudly stocks this Cervelo S3 Carbon Disc Aero Road Bike
Size: 58cm - but check the geometries or get in touch to confirm whether this bike will fit you.
RRP: £5,699
Specification
- Frame: Cervelo All Carbon frame with tapered S3 fork
- Gears: Shimano R8070 Di2 11 Speed groupset
- Brakes: Shimano R8070 Di2 Hydraulic Shifters and Calipers.
- Wheels: NO WHEELS - get in touch for options
- Tires: NO TYRES
- Handlebars: Cervélo AB09 Semi-aero carbon Handlebar with Cervélo ST29 stem
- Seatpost & Saddle: Carbon seatpost with Prologo saddle
Description
If you are looking for a bike with impeccable aero credentials whilst enabling you to get to the end of a long day in the saddle without feeling battered and broken the Cervélo S3 might just be for you. Cervélo's quest to balance stiffness with comfort has yielded a machine that is ruthlessly efficient at translating your power into sustained momentum albeit with some loss in out and out performance. If you want world class sprinter levels of BB stiffness or mountain goat climbing prowess you might want to look elsewhere, but if long solo miles are your thing or you fancy yourself as a breakaway specialist then this might just be the perfect bike for you.
The S3 uses Cervélo's True Aero technology, which is the combination of specific tube shapes, sizes and designs to improve the aerodynamic flow across the bike. It's a similar story at the front end, and the bike has new frame and fork shaping and all the cables are tucked neatly inside the cockpit – possible because of a new upside down quill stem. Cervélo has tried to create a distinct ride quality between the more aggressive S5 and the new S3. For example, the S3's stack is 16mm higher than the S5. The bike also has slightly skinnier seat stays and wider tyre clearance, both for improved vibration dampening. In fact, the S3 has identical geometry to the Cervélo R3, a bike highly rated for it's ride position and performance. Additional frame includes a dropped down tube and the rear stays have also had a tune up to help make it more aerodynamic.
Cervélo has decided that Shimano's second-tier electronic groupset is more than good enough for it's top step S3, a spec choice that we are inclined to agree with. Ultegra 8070 Di2 works flawlessly and it's only a few material and manufacturing process changes that separate it from Dura Ace. A blindfold test would make it very hard to differentiate between the performance of the two. As the name denotes, this particular S3 is the disc specific version and as such comes with Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc callipers. These are flat mount for ease of adjustment and combined with the 160mm rotors provide plenty of stopping power.
The S3 makes use of Cervélo's unique ST29 stem and fork combination to create an incredibly clean front end in terms of integration. It works in way similar to the quill stems of old, in that the stem itself wedges into the shortened steerer tube of the fork and uses an expander system to hold things in place. This allows the stem to adjust stem and bar height without needing to cut the steerer tube, so you can run a slammed setup for racing or raise the height for longer rides. Split spacers can be placed underneath the stem when a taller position is required. It is a slight faff to adjust as the internal bolts can be difficult to locate but it does prevent an unsightly spacer stack on top of the stem. The stem and the comfortably shaped carbon Cervélo handlebar have a standard fitting so you can swap to any other brand of handlebar if you so wish, so the integration doesn't go too far in my opinion.
Probably the simplest way to sum up the S3's performance is to say that if you were a breakaway specialist at a stage race then this would be the bike to choose. It's not light enough to be a climber's bike and it's not stiff enough to appeal to a big sprinter. What it is is incredibly efficient at translating effort into momentum and maintaining that speed better than most bikes in its class. Not only that but the S3 has to be one of the most comfortable aero designed bikes - a trait that certainly boosts its appeal for the average rider not keen on raw, brutal power delivery.
Condition
The bike is in very good condition and has been well looked after by the previous owner. It is a used bike so does display a few scratches and chips which have been photographed. Mechanically it's flawless with smooth shifts, strong braking and smooth bearings all round.
