Cervelo R3 build

Having moved all of my bikes over to electronic shifting and disc brakes, I fancied something 'old school' - lightweight, mechanical, simple.

I chose the R3 because it has perfect geometry for me, it is tried and tested, and I like the gloss black of the 2015 model.The R3 is plenty light and rides the same as the R5 but is a little more robust/less delicate.

The bbinifinite is a great solution (possibly to a problem that shouldn't exist, but let's not discuss that here!).

For some reason you don't see many Campagnolo equipped Cervelos, but this one went together a treat. The new shifting performance is a big leap forward from the last iteration. Front shifting in particular is a revelation, and the 3-click shifter is well thought through. I wasn't sure when I was setting everything up, but on the road it really works well.

Loving the Obermayers. It was quite windy today and I didn't suffer at all. Braking is good, but I have got used to discs now, which I can conclude are superior in terms of stopping power and modulation. I have owned a few pairs of Lightweights, and these are keepers! Finally the truing, dishing and parallel brake surface are spot on. Absolutely no lateral wobble at all. My previous pairs have been sadly lacking in this respect and it used to be something that you had to accept with Lightweights, but these are perfect. Not sure if I got lucky, if they invest more time in the Obermayers, or if they have finally mastered building them, but whatever the reason, I am very pleased with my purchase.

The ride is lovely. Not a revelation, but comfortable, stiff and light. The spacers above the top cap will go once I have the position dialled in.

Quite a sensible but quality build. Steel spindles on the pedals. Ti rails on the saddle etc.

Frame - Cervelo R3 (58cm)
Fork - Cervelo R3
Headset - FSA IS2
Chainset - Campagnolo Super Record Ti (175mm, 50 / 34t)
Bottom Bracket - BBInfinite BBRight Ultra Torque
Pedals - Look Keo Carbon CroMo
Front Derailleur - Campagnolo Super Record
Rear Derailleur - Campagnolo Super Record
Shifters - Campagnolo Super Record
Brakes - Campagnolo Super Record Differential
Chain - KMC X-11 SL
Cassette - Campagnolo Super Record (12 / 25)
Hubs - Lightweight Meilenstein Obermayer
Rims - Lightweight Meilenstein Obermayer
Spokes - Lightweight Meilenstein Obermayer
Quick Release - Lightweight Carbon
Tyres - Continental Competition (25mm)
Stem - Tune Geiles Teil 4.0 OS (120mm)
Bars - Fizik Cyrano R1 Bull (420mm)
Seatpost - Tune Starkes
Saddle - Fizik Arione CX
Bottle Cages - Campagnolo Record
Grip - Fizik 2mm

Carbon 11 speed group, 2015 frameset, Lightweights... well old school

Nice bike though... shame about the Italian jewellery :)

'Old school' was a bit tongue in cheek, but from discs and electronic shifting it does feel reassuringly simple.

Loving the agricultural feel of the Italian jewellery. Been on Campagnolo for years. Have to admit that Shimano probably have the edge both electronically and mechanically, but I still prefer it.

a good project thread is like good porn....

• a hot body

• some sexy parts

but you jizzed way to early

Lovely bike, not really "old school" though is it?

My word!

Building a bike is a lot like making love to a beautiful woman.

At least you have acknowledged Campag isn't as good as Shimano :-)

You are all right. SRAM ftw!

Hurts to do so, but these days Campagnolo really is the emotional purchase. Shimano is cheaper, slicker and more advanced. Some might even argue better looking. But you still have to love Campagnolo don't you?! It is what Apple used to be - the alternate thinking man's product. But I can't see Campagnolo becoming as ubiquitous as Apple now is.

They are in danger of being left behind like they were in the early 90's. But that time they made a recovery with successive generations of Record (1st to 10 and 11 speed, 1st to produce carbon levers and parts etc). I just can't see that happening again. Shimano have edged ahead and it looks like they will continue to edge further ahead. SRAM on the other hand are still very much the third player.

I think they've already been left behind. Their stuff is temperamental (but beautiful when dailed in) and the pricing is ludicrous compared to Shimano or SRAM. It would take A LOT of change for me to ever consider Campag again.

Italians should leave engineering to the rest of the world.

^ That may or may not have nothing to do with my frustrations with Gaggia classic.

Dan - you are right about it functioning well well when set up well. It is trickier to get working well, but once set it remains that way for longer.

Shop around and you can buy it very competitive with SRAM and Shimano.

The Shimano vs Campagnolo vs SRAM debate will never end. To me, I go with the heart and soul and emotional choice, although it does work beautifully too. I don't want to ride what the herd rides.

To use a clunky analogy that in no ways applies to bikes, some people want a Ferrari 250 GTO, some people want a Golf TDI (estate).

Lovely build.

How tall are you and how do you find the fit of the 58cm? I'm close to pulling the trigger on a second hand r3 in 61cm. I'm 6"3...

i'm glad some else here is old enough to remember that!

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All of your bikes would fit me and are dressed in the best shit

I am 6ft 2. I run a 78.5cm saddle height and a 57.5cm tip of saddle to centre of bars measurement.

At 6ft 3, the 58cm will be spot on. They do have a quite decent head tube length, and they don't have a particularly steep top tube slope. The 61cm will be quite a large bike.

Nice

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_DLo54YDNek

Just weighed it. 13.9lbs or 6.3kgs fully loaded.

Pleased with that given the relatively standard parts (well, OK maybe the wheels are a bit flash).

I'll take those relatively standard wheels off you, £50?

How did you find getting the bbright out? Replaced one today with the rotor equivalent to install Shimano crank and the standard bracket took a lot of whacking to remove.

Was just waiting to hear a crack.

Bought it as a frameset, so the Rotor bb was loose in the box. I fitted the bbinfinite 'fresh'. Plenty of loctite and activator and fingers crossed I don't need to remove it. Fortunately the Campagnolo bearings are fitted to the chainset rather than bb, so there isn't too much wear on the bb cups.

Cheers for the info.
If you decide to sells let me know!

So, 4 months later - how are you finding the BBInfinite?