buying a Cervelo P2C

[gabefoo]

hi everyone, I’ve been looking to purchase a TT bike in addition to my current road bike as I’m looking to improve in triathlon. I previously completed an Ironman 70.3 using a 2009 Specialized Roubaix Elite with clip-on aero bars.

I’ve found this Cervelo P2C (maybe ~2010?) being sold with a Tacx Neo 2 trainer. It is listed for $1800 CAD, the owner said it has mainly been used indoors on the trainer, and is using a SRAM force groupset.

I wanted to get some feedback on what you guys think on the value of the bike and if it’s a good deal?

 

[PaulSB]

This may be of help? I can't comment on the bike or TT/triathlon but with eight years experience of riding a C3 I would say Cervelo make superb bikes.

 

[AndyRM]

Seems quite steep for the age of the equipment but nothing looks like it needs replacing, but as above Cervelo make lovely bikes which hold their value.

 

[gabefoo]

This helps! Regarding the bike I was mainly skeptical since it is quite old and may need replacing parts in the future, but it is good to know the bikes are superb. I was thinking of negotiating down to $1500-$1600 due to the age of the equipment which may allow for some minor upgrades in the future

Seems quite steep for the age of the equipment but nothing looks like it needs replacing, but as above Cervelo make lovely bikes which hold their value.

 

[Webbo2]

Just googling Cervelo P2C shows they are available quite a lot cheaper.

 

[AndyRM]

Just googling Cervelo P2C shows they are available quite a lot cheaper.

Well yeah, but there's a lot to consider, mainly the OP being in Canada so that's about £900 GBP which is still quite a bit but not too bad.

 

[gabefoo]

Well yeah, but there's a lot to consider, mainly the OP being in Canada so that's about £900 GBP which is still quite a bit but not too bad.

that’s true, plus adding the tacx neo 2 trainer into this package does help with the $1800CAD price point

 

[AndyRM]

that’s true, plus adding the tacx neo 2 trainer into this package does help with the $1800CAD price point

BIke markets vary, usually based on availability. All the UK ones I found were a lot cheaper, but that's not much use to you over the pond...

 

[Legs]

Bear in mind that it’s a funny time to be buying a rim-brake bike. Disc brakes will probably have made rim brakes obsolete on the new market in the next few years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not a good buy (in fact, it should improve availability of decent second-hand rim-braking aero-wheels).

 

[gabefoo]

Bear in mind that it’s a funny time to be buying a rim-brake bike. Disc brakes will probably have made rim brakes obsolete on the new market in the next few years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not a good buy (in fact, it should improve availability of decent second-hand rim-braking aero-wheels).

that’s good to know! i haven’t seen many disc brake bikes within my budget, but maybe that’ll come down the line

 

[honeybadger]

The P2C was regarded as a quick bike back in the day and with an upgraded front end (a better set of handlebars and ski poles along with a tri rig front brake) would make it very competitive now. As Legs says rim brake wheels are harder and harder to find new but the secondhand market is very buoyant with everyone ditching them in favour of disc brake. Just make sure parts are still available for them.

Couple of things to remember though. The P2C was designed when 23c tyres were the norm so clearance between the rear wheel and seat stay might be tight if you want to go wider.
Also if you want to get this particular bike make sure you see it in the flesh and go over it with a fine tooth comb,especially the rear dropout area. If it’s been sat in a turbo trainer most of its life it’ll of been subjected to a lot of twisting that it won’t have been designed to resist. Any noticeable damage walk away.

 

[gabefoo]

The P2C was regarded as a quick bike back in the day and with an upgraded front end (a better set of handlebars and ski poles along with a tri rig front brake) would make it very competitive now. As Gabefoo says rim brake wheels are harder and harder to find new but the secondhand market is very buoyant with everyone ditching them in favour of disc brake. Just make sure parts are still available for them.

Couple of things to remember though. The P2C was designed when 23c tyres were the norm so clearance between the rear wheel and seat stay might be tight if you want to go wider.
Also if you want to get this particular bike make sure you see it in the flesh and go over it with a fine tooth comb,especially the rear dropout area. If it’s been sat in a turbo trainer most of its life it’ll of been subjected to a lot of twisting that it won’t have been designed to resist. Any noticeable damage walk away.

all good points. i would likely be looking to use 25c tires so that is something to keep in mind. i will be checking it out today, doing sort of a self inspection of the bike before a full purchase is made. much appreciated

 

[Wheelspinner]

I've two Cervelo bikes from the same era - an RS and an S2. Both quality frames, and are both great rides in different ways. But the one thing as mentioned above is tyre clearance - on the RS I can just about squeeze in a 28 on the rear (using an older rim which is a little narrow anyway), but on the S2 any bigger than a 25 is asking for trouble. There's barely any gap left to the seat tube at all. I'd suspect the P2 is the same.

Also worth noting is you really should ride it properly first. While my RS is a very "comfortable" frame out on the road, with a tall stack and skinny seat stays, the S2 with the aero tube shaping of the day most definitely isn't anywhere near as comfy. It's pretty stiff, handles great, a real race frame. But comfort? Not so much... That P2C has tube shapes even more extreme than the S2.

 

[gabefoo]

I've two Cervelo bikes from the same era - an RS and an S2. Both quality frames, and are both great rides in different ways. But the one thing as mentioned above is tyre clearance - on the RS I can just about squeeze in a 28 on the rear (using an older rim which is a little narrow anyway), but on the S2 any bigger than a 25 is asking for trouble. There's barely any gap left to the seat tube at all. I'd suspect the P2 is the same.

Also worth noting is you really should ride it properly first. While my RS is a very "comfortable" frame out on the road, with a tall stack and skinny seat stays, the S2 with the aero tube shaping of the day most definitely isn't anywhere near as comfy. It's pretty stiff, handles great, a real race frame. But comfort? Not so much... That P2C has tube shapes even more extreme than the S2.

great point, will also keep in mind! all points are very appreciated

 

[honeybadger]

Also forgot to mention. The be all and end all of weather to buy this is FIT FIT FIT.
If it doesn’t fit you then it’s a non starter. You’ll always have a little leeway but if there’s a nagging doubt walk away. If you’re thinking of doing triathlons with it you must be comfortable during the ride part of the race. I’m no triathlete (I’m a TT’r only) but I believe having an ill fitting bike can have a big impact on the run side of the event.