- FEATURES
- GEOMETRY
A CLASSIC GAME-CHANGER
The new R3 combines pro pedigree and elite performance to thrilling effect. Lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic than ever thanks to new Squoval Max tube shapes, its top-shelf specs, versatile race fit and stable, responsive handling will have you seeking out hard hills and devouring cobblestones with complete confidence.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Our engineers went through dozens of frame iterations and conducted hundreds of hours of CFD and wind-tunnel analysis to skillfully balance the fit, handling, stiffness and aero performance of the R3 with frames that weigh less than the previous ultra-lightweight model. Underlying all of this are new Squoval Max tube shapes, which have been redesigned to fortify cross-sections and push the R3 to new heights.
PREMIUM ROAD PERFORMANCE
A top-shelf all-round racing machine deserves optimal component packages to maximize performance, and the R3 delivers. A revamped handling geometry balances stability and responsiveness for a pro-calibre ride experience.
USABILITY
A wider range of storage and hydration options, including toptube and downtube accessory mount bosses, and an integrated seatpost accessory receiver, make this a user-friendly ride over the longest distances. Future-Proof Cable Management fits mechanical, electronic, and hydraulic systems for easy upgrades, and direct-mount downtube battery bosses make maintenance easy.
RIDE QUALITY
We know the extreme hours you put into training – and we don’t think “suffering” should have anything to do with your frame. The R3 is designed with enhanced fit flexibility using a 1 1⁄8” steerer for a wide range of aftermarket cockpit options. Cervélo’s all-carbon aero, rail-adjust seat post offers ~75mm of fore/aft adjustability.
FRAME MATERIALS
The frame is the heart of your new road bike. It's where the majority of the budget goes. Frames can be made from a range of materials, the most common are steel, aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre. Each is a very worthy material in its own right.
Aluminium is the most common frame material for bikes costing under £1,000. It's a cheap material to make bikes from, and it's a very good material for road bikes: it's stiff and light. The latest frames boast some advanced features and design touches.
Better aluminium frames will use butted tubes (where the wall thickness is varied along its length) which makes them lighter and can offer more comfort. Frames with Deda, Easton, Columbus stickers, highly praised tubing manufactures, will command a premium.
Steel is a lovely material to build a road bike from. However, it's most often found on custom bikes and those designed for touring these days. It's heavier than aluminium but has wonderful comfort properties, which is why it's become synonymous with comfort bikes. Howvever the latest stainless steel tubesets from Columbus and Reynolds demonstrate the material's suitability for lightweight race bikes, but they don't come cheap.
Once the most exotic material of them all, titanium is as light as aluminium and strong as steel, making it a wonderful material for bicycles. It is, however, difficult to work with and this has ensured that it has always been an expensive option, though it is steadily becoming slightly more affordable.
Finally, carbon fibre. We'll not argue, this is the material that most people want their road bike frame to be made from. Once an ultra expensive choice, carbon fibre is now available at some very low prices, making it affordable to a large section of the bike-buying public.
Carbon frames aren't all equal though. There's a huge difference between cheap and expensive carbon, down to the type of fibres used, how it's manufactured and other important factors that make a big impact. Carbon is wonderful in that it can be relatively easily manipulated by designers to tick whichever boxes they desire. Carbon offers light weight and, in the right hands, can be both stiff and comfortable.
While it's entirely conceivable that you'll want a carbon fibre frame, don't discount aluminium. Often you will get an aluminium bike with far higher grade wheels and components than you could get on a carbon bike of a similar price, and that will contribute to a lower overall weight. That can lead to a far more enjoyable ride experience than you'll get from a carbon bike where the manufacturer has cut corners (heavy wheels, low spec groupset) to make a price point. So don't just put carbon at the top of your list because your friend has just bought a carbon bike!
A CLASSIC GAME-CHANGER
The new R3 combines pro pedigree and elite performance to thrilling effect. Lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic than ever thanks to new Squoval Max tube shapes, its top-shelf specs, versatile race fit and stable, responsive handling will have you seeking out hard hills and devouring cobblestones with complete confidence.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Our engineers went through dozens of frame iterations and conducted hundreds of hours of CFD and wind-tunnel analysis to skillfully balance the fit, handling, stiffness and aero performance of the R3 with frames that weigh less than the previous ultra-lightweight model. Underlying all of this are new Squoval Max tube shapes, which have been redesigned to fortify cross-sections and push the R3 to new heights.
PREMIUM ROAD PERFORMANCE
A top-shelf all-round racing machine deserves optimal component packages to maximize performance, and the R3 delivers. A revamped handling geometry balances stability and responsiveness for a pro-calibre ride experience.
USABILITY
A wider range of storage and hydration options, including toptube and downtube accessory mount bosses, and an integrated seatpost accessory receiver, make this a user-friendly ride over the longest distances. Future-Proof Cable Management fits mechanical, electronic, and hydraulic systems for easy upgrades, and direct-mount downtube battery bosses make maintenance easy.
RIDE QUALITY
We know the extreme hours you put into training – and we don’t think “suffering” should have anything to do with your frame. The R3 is designed with enhanced fit flexibility using a 1 1⁄8” steerer for a wide range of aftermarket cockpit options. Cervélo’s all-carbon aero, rail-adjust seat post offers ~75mm of fore/aft adjustability.
FRAME MATERIALS
The frame is the heart of your new road bike. It's where the majority of the budget goes. Frames can be made from a range of materials, the most common are steel, aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre. Each is a very worthy material in its own right.
Aluminium is the most common frame material for bikes costing under £1,000. It's a cheap material to make bikes from, and it's a very good material for road bikes: it's stiff and light. The latest frames boast some advanced features and design touches.
Better aluminium frames will use butted tubes (where the wall thickness is varied along its length) which makes them lighter and can offer more comfort. Frames with Deda, Easton, Columbus stickers, highly praised tubing manufactures, will command a premium.
Steel is a lovely material to build a road bike from. However, it's most often found on custom bikes and those designed for touring these days. It's heavier than aluminium but has wonderful comfort properties, which is why it's become synonymous with comfort bikes. Howvever the latest stainless steel tubesets from Columbus and Reynolds demonstrate the material's suitability for lightweight race bikes, but they don't come cheap.
Once the most exotic material of them all, titanium is as light as aluminium and strong as steel, making it a wonderful material for bicycles. It is, however, difficult to work with and this has ensured that it has always been an expensive option, though it is steadily becoming slightly more affordable.
Finally, carbon fibre. We'll not argue, this is the material that most people want their road bike frame to be made from. Once an ultra expensive choice, carbon fibre is now available at some very low prices, making it affordable to a large section of the bike-buying public.
Carbon frames aren't all equal though. There's a huge difference between cheap and expensive carbon, down to the type of fibres used, how it's manufactured and other important factors that make a big impact. Carbon is wonderful in that it can be relatively easily manipulated by designers to tick whichever boxes they desire. Carbon offers light weight and, in the right hands, can be both stiff and comfortable.
While it's entirely conceivable that you'll want a carbon fibre frame, don't discount aluminium. Often you will get an aluminium bike with far higher grade wheels and components than you could get on a carbon bike of a similar price, and that will contribute to a lower overall weight. That can lead to a far more enjoyable ride experience than you'll get from a carbon bike where the manufacturer has cut corners (heavy wheels, low spec groupset) to make a price point. So don't just put carbon at the top of your list because your friend has just bought a carbon bike!