Cervelo - what's all the fuss about?

I love my Scott Addict Ltd. However, a good friend of mine who used to ride semi-pro (many years ago) is an Iatlian bike snob and says such things are rubbish and Cervelo's etc. are the only true bikes.

I always loved the look of the Scotts - and I would assume a huge company like Scott has a research budget many factors greater than a company like Cervelo. I liken it to buying a Porsche versus a hand made TVR or the like.

What is the truth? What should I understand?

You should understand that Cervelo are Canadian and some of their frames are made in China. Not sure why your Italian bike snob friend digs them some much if he really is an Italian bike snob. I would have thought Colnago's would have been his passion...

The deal with Cervelo is that they have a big marketing budget. The bikes seen in the most ads are the fastest.

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You're so fetching when you're down on all fours.
..............................-David St. Hubbins

Pretty funny. The Cervelo and Scott 'may' be made in the same asian factory. Just different designs.

I think it's like buying a Acura or a Lexus. Or a Alfa Romero if European.

A "true bike" is the one that fits, that gets you excited, and that you ride as often as you can, unless it's a De Rosa Tango, in which case it's just downright fugly.

__________________
You're so fetching when you're down on all fours.
..............................-David St. Hubbins

Now the fun part... rubbing it in your friend's face that his Italian bike was manufactured in China! Nah, that would be mean.
Truth be told, both Cervelo and Scott makes really nice bikes.

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1987 Trek 400 Elance
2009 Giant Yukon hardtail

...not that there's anything wrong with that...

No not at all. My Giant was built in China and I like it just fine. My comment was more based on the fact that his friend has the attitude of "Italian bike are the best and anything less is just not good enough."

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1987 Trek 400 Elance
2009 Giant Yukon hardtail

ALWAYS has been a fairly short period of time since SCOTT only re-entered the market a few years ago ...

Even though you are apparently a relative newbie, don't worry about what your former semi-pro friend thinks about one frameset or another ... for the average rider, the frame is just a matter of cosmetics.

The more important choice, IMO, is the shifters you choose to use -- Shimano is great, but Campagnolo is better.

.....and while he's still reeling from that cataclysm hit him with this little zinger.....

pasta isn't from Italy either, it too came from........ China.

What? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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1987 Trek 400 Elance
2009 Giant Yukon hardtail

From what I've read, nearly all the Carbon bikes come from China or Taiwan, including some that claim to be American bikes. I ride a Specialized Roubaix but all kidding aside I REALLY like Cervelo's design of the new S3 with the Aero tubing on a road bike. But come on Cervelo and all bike companies, your pricing has gotten ridiculous. The new Cervelo S3 $11,000.00, Specialized SL3 and Trek Madones 6.9 both around the $9000 mark. Yes they have the lower lines and prices but the dream bikes are getting now like dream cars - only a dream for the masses.

Yep. And $15,900 for the Pinarello Prince.

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1987 Trek 400 Elance
2009 Giant Yukon hardtail

Pricing is only ridiculous if no one's paying the prices. In this case though, all that economic theory stuff is working, and people are paying the prices. It's all good. When people stop buying, then the prices are too high.

__________________
You're so fetching when you're down on all fours.
..............................-David St. Hubbins

Every year it amazes me on rides like the Death Ride, that countless dozens of people seem to be on the latest hyper priced bike with additional fancy carbon and titanium bits. Apparently to these folks owning the top of the line Pinarello or Colnago equiped with Campag Super Record isn't enough - you gotta have the Zipp carbon cranks and zero gravity brakes.

I think I might dig out the old 653 frame, find some old super record brake levers, with exposed cables from the early 80's and ride the event on that and pass them all. If only I could find some slotted cleats for my Specialized shoes so I could use the ol' toe clips and straps.