Pro bike: Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo S3

Pro bike: Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo S3

TDU Stage One winner and Hour Record contender

Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo S3, briefly at rest during the 2015 Tour Down Under

David Rome / Immediate Media

David Rome

Published: January 21, 2015 at 10:30 pm
Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo S3, briefly at rest during the 2015 Tour Down Under - David Rome / Immediate Media
Jack Bobridge took the win on the Tour Down Under's first stage and he holds onto the leaders jersey going into the third stage - Tim De Waele
The SRM Campagnolo 11-speed crank adds plenty of expense to this build - David Rome / Immediate Media
A Prologo Scratch Pro saddle features generous padding and titanium rails - making for a heavier part - David Rome / Immediate Media
Grippy Prologo OneTouch tape is Bobridge's choice - David Rome / Immediate Media
Slightly older Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheels feature a 50mm deep rim profile - David Rome / Immediate Media
An integrated seat clamp sits near the world record holder's name - David Rome / Immediate Media
We suspect Bobridge was liking the numbers he was seeing on this computer as he crossed the finish line on stage one - David Rome / Immediate Media
We're so used to seeing Super Record at this level, but Campagnolo Record 11-speed is still one of the very best - David Rome / Immediate Media
Elite Mio Sior carbon cages carry hydration - David Rome / Immediate Media
Slippery shapes on the Cervelo S3 - David Rome / Immediate Media
The S3 is no longer Cervelo's most aerodynamic frame but it's still very fast in a wind tunnel, and clearly just as fast on the road - David Rome / Immediate Media
Campagnolo Record 11-speed mechanical - David Rome / Immediate Media
Cervelo's S3 frame uses it's own 'BBRight' bottom bracket standard, extending the bottom bracket shell a further 11mm on the left side as compared to BB30 shells - David Rome / Immediate Media
Bobridge knew exctly what he was doing when he won the first stage; the key stage events were written out for him - David Rome / Immediate Media
Veloflex Arenberg tubulars aren't the very fastest but should be very durable on Australia's roads - David Rome / Immediate Media
And in case you made it this far, here's a sneak peak at Bobridge's Hour Record bike he'll be using at the end of the month. Full details of this special ride to come - David Rome / Immediate Media

World record holder and multiple-time world champion Jack Bobridge may have stated that he's returning his focus to the track this year with an eye on the 2016 Olympics but for the time being, he's back on the road with Budget Forklifts, an Australian Continental team where his track teammates will race too.

With an Hour Record attempt planned for the end of the month, Bobridge is clearly in form as he's currently leading this year's Tour Down Under.

Jack bobridge took the win on the tour down under's first stage, he holds onto the leaders jersey going into the third stage: jack bobridge took the win on the tour down under's first stage, he holds onto the leaders jersey going into the third stage

Bobridge won the first stage at the 2015 Tour Down Under

Following a convincing win in the first stage of the Tour Down Under, Bobridge continues to wear the leader's jersey heading into the third stage. This was all made possible by riding for the UniSA team, an Australian national team that was invited to the Tour Down Under as a composite of non-WorldTour riders. This team has a long history of producing results at the race, and raising awareness for talented riders on a world stage.

With Cervelo missing from the 2015 WorldTour, the Canadian brand’s sponsorship has shifted to women’s cycling (Velocio-SRAM) and smaller, Continental-based teams – such as Budget Forklifts.

Bobridge is using a stock 54cm Cervelo 2015 S3 frameset. While this may not be quite as fast as the brand’s upper-level S5 aero-road model as far as the wind tunnel is concerned, the S3 is pitched as a more well rounded race bike. This is seen with thinner seatstays borrowed from the brand’s R-series, which offer a greater level of compliance at the rear – something that is greatly beneficial on some Australian roads.

We're so used to seeing super record at this level, but campagnolo record 11-speed is still one of the very best: we're so used to seeing super record at this level, but campagnolo record 11-speed is still one of the very best - David Rome / Immediate Media

Campagnolo Record 11 mechanical for Bobridge

That frameset is built with a Campagnolo Record 11 mechanical drivetrain and brakes. While Campagnolo does offer a marginally lighter Super Record groupset, Record offers all the same performance in a slightly cheaper package – something that is important given the tight budgets in Continental racing. Perhaps given Bobridge's track background, the lever bodies are set up with a pronounced inward angle instead of the usual inline position.

Showing no budget restraint, however, is the SRM Campagnolo 11-speed crank and matched SRM PowerControl 7 computer.

Equally as top-level to the SRM are the Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheels. Although now superseded by the wider Bora Ultra 50, these 50mm-deep tubular wheels with ceramic bearings and a 1310g claimed weight certainly don't appear to be a disadvantage.

Veloflex arenberg tubulars aren't the very fastest, but should be very durable on australia's roads : veloflex arenberg tubulars aren't the very fastest, but should be very durable on australia's roads

Bobridge's choice of tyres – the notably durable Veloflex Arenberg – is proof that Australia's roads aren't the finest

The Veloflex Arenberg tubulars are more commonly seen in the European classics where cobbles and extremely raw roads mean punctures are likely. Australia’s roads aren’t the best and so this choice is likely to be more durable and grippier than faster and lighter options.

Lastly, Prologo and 3T components round out the build. Again, the ultralight top-level parts are not present here which leads to a total bike weight of 7.4kg (16.28lb). This is reasonably heavy given the mechanical gearing and average frame size.

Complete bike specifications

  • Frame: Cervelo S3 – size 54cm
  • Fork: Cervelo S3
  • Headset: FSA Orbit IS integrated
  • Stem: 3T ARX II Team, 130mm x -6 degrees
  • Handlebar: 3T ErgoSum Team Stealth, 40cm (c-c)
  • Tape: Prologo OneTouch
  • Front brake: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Rear brake: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Brake levers: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Front derailleur: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Shift levers: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Cassette: Campagnolo Record 11, 11-25T
  • Chain: Campagnolo Record 11
  • Crankset: SRM Campagnolo 11-speed, 172.5mm, 53/39T
  • Bottom bracket: Wishbone BBRight BPF3025C
  • Pedals: Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace
  • Wheelset: Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two
  • Front tyre: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm
  • Rear tyre: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm
  • Saddle: Prologo Scratch Pro
  • Seatpost: Cervelo Carbon
  • Bottle cages: Elite Mio Sior (2)
  • Computer: SRM Power Control 7

Critical measurements

  • Rider's height: 1.80m (5ft 11in)
  • Rider's weight: 65kg (143lb)
  • Saddle height from BB, c-t: 750mm
  • Saddle setback: 60mm
  • Tip of saddle to centre of bar: 565mm
  • Saddle-to-bar drop: 100mm
  • Head tube length: 148mm
  • Top tube length (effective): 548mm
  • Total bicycle weight: 7.4kg (16.28lb, with SRM computer)

David Rome

Former Australian editor

Dave Rome is the former Australian editor for BikeRadar. He was later the senior technical editor at CyclingTips and now works for Escape Collective.
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