New TRi bike opinion

Patrick Hughes

So I'm in the market for a new Tri bike and after much research and a budget of @ $3k I've narrowed to cervelo P2 and Specialized shiv. Both specd similarly and relatively similar dimensions. I need a fairly high stack and the shiv has about 10mm higher stack but not sure that should drive the decision. 2 local shops where I could purchase. Looking for any advice like: "bikes are similar so go to whatever shop you like better" or "whichever bike you like the look of" or "10mm stack difference is significant". Thanks in advance for any guidance.
-Patrick

Mark Maurer

I haven't ridden the shiv but I have a P3 which is the same frame and I love the way it handles even on rough roads. But you need to go with what feels best to you. Have you ridden both of them farther than a mile or two. See if you can take them out for a 5-10 mile ride and see which one feels better. I know that the P2 has a wide range from a fit point of view.

Peter Greagg

My first tri bike was a 2006 P3 which I bought second hand in 2010. I liked it and was quite happy with it, but it was a 9 speed, alloy frame and, IMO, was getting a little 'old'.

Two seasons ago, I bought as Shiv and I love it. Admittedly I did get electric shifters (11 speed) and the hydraulic brakes, but it is really comfortable, which for me is important as my usual A race is IM Australia which has terrible roads (uneven with lots of chip seal etc).

Of course, I almost forgot, the most important thing is the colour.   

 

rlh2000

Love my P2!!

Mike Westover

No experience with the Shiv, but I own a P2 which has worked well for me.

Two differences that I saw on first glance:
- The P2 rear brake is more accessible. Maybe a little bit more drag that way, but much easier to adjust
- The Shiv has integrated hydration, potentially a big plus

thekidduxc

The bikes set up are similar but not exact and comfort is sososososo dependent on individual needs.

+1 @ mark for the ask for a test ride. If that is not possible, go with the stack/reach option if it works for you.

Brad Marcus

@Patrick- I rode a P2 for 4 years. When I replaced it last season, I went for a pre-fitting to get everything measured up to find out what would be a good match. I visited Todd at TTbikefit in RI to do this. Best decision I made. Im seeing you are local to me - im in Ridgefield. It's a drive to get there, but well worth it and your actually closer. He will measure you all up Including stack and reach. You can give him your bike budget and he will give you a list of what falls into your category for your measurements.

I was never comfortable on my P2. This was confirmed my Todds measurements. I have long legs and a shorter torso - higher stack, lesser reach. Probably the opposite of what the P2 and P3 specs out. The Shiv was a very good fit for me. High stack. That 10mm difference that you mentioned is QUITE significant! I ultimately went with a Felt that was also in my fit zone.

Take the ride to Todd - you'll find it's well worth it rather than guessing from a 10 minute test ride on a bike that's not set up for your fit.

Mike Roberts

What Brad says. Fit is the key. If you're even mildly uncomfortable on the "faster" bike, sitting up a few times late in the race will instantly negate all that "fasterness." Unlike Brad, I'm longer torso, so I never could get a perfect fit on my Specialized. My pre-buy fit led me to Cervelo. Speaking of, with the new P5X, I bet there will be a bunch of lightly used P5 Sixes hitting the market this fall, with many in that 3k range.

Paul Curtin

Patrick - Fit is everything, and a 10mm delta is indeed significant. I cannot fit on Cervelo - stack is too low. After a fit session, my choices came down to the Shiv and the Felt. I test-rode both: the Felt handled better, and the IA10 came with electronic shifting. The Felt bar was also easy to adjust - I started the season at 725mm stack height and made two separate adjustments over the season - dropped about 25mm total.

At the $3K price point there's the Shiv Elite or the IA16. Shiv has some advantages with the integrated hydration and Fuelcell storage option. Specialized hasn't upgraded that design in a while so the LBS may have more room for discounting.

scott dinhofer

@Patrick - Lots of good advice on here.. The other thing I'd really consider at this price point is looking for used bikes on Ebay, Slowtwitch & the FB Groups "tri 'n sell it" & "online swap meet" - you might find a higher end bike with better components, etc in usually good condition, once you know what you fit.