With the new P5, Cervélo commanded both attention of the time trial and triathlon world and a staggering price ($10,000/£6,500 for a Di2 bike). With the updated P3, Cervélo is putting many elements of the P5's aerodynamic engineering into a somewhat more reasonably priced machine with a Shimano Dura-Ace 9000-equipped machine running $5,400/£3,500.
Available for orders as of today, the new P3 comes in a new 45cm size in a 650c frame, plus 48, 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61cm sizes in a standard 700c frame.
A new P5-like shape for the P3, but with standard caliper placement
In recent years, the P3 has enjoyed success in professional racing and remains an age-grouper Ironman favorite in triathlon. With the new frame, Cervélo keeps the rear-wheel-hugging design but in a wide-rim format and with a straight leading edge on the down tube. Cable routing takes cues from the P5, entering the top tube behind the steerer tube. Also, the down tube mimics the P5 design, hugging the front wheel and the fork beneath the crown.
There are bosses for water bottles on the down tube, at the down tube/seat tube junction, and between the aerobar extensions. There are also dedicated attachment points for an electric battery on the bottom of the down tube and a bento box on the top tube.
The new P3, with Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 and Magura RT6 hydraulic brakes and calipers
While Cervélo road bikes are criticized by some racers for their slightly taller than normal (race bike) head tubes, the P3 is built for aero speed. A 56cm frame, for example, has a 133mm head tube.
The Cervélo aero seatpost has about 3cm of fore/aft adjustability for the clamp itself on the post, in addition to the fore/aft adjustment of the saddle on its rails like with any standard seatpost. The end result is a healthy amount of flexibility in fit.
Built up with the new 11-speed Shimano Dura-Ace 9000, the P3 has a suggested retail price of $5,400.
The frame is ready for electric and hydraulic routing, as well as standard mechanical systems
P3 complete build
- Fork: Cervélo FK37
- Headset: FSA IS3 Standard - 6mm TC
- Seatpost: Cervélo aero (TT/Tri rail)
- Front and rear derailleurs: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
- Bar-end shifters: Shimano DA 9000 TT Bar End Shifters
- Brake calipers/levers: Magura RT6
- Crankset: Rotor 3DF BBright 52/36 110BCD w/BB
- Aerobar: 3T Aura Pro
- Stem: 3T ARX Pro
- Saddle: ISM Prologue
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 11-25
- Wheels (700c): Mavic Cosmic Elite
- Wheels (650c): Vision Team 30
- Tires: Vittoria Diamante Pro Light 23mm
