Hi all,

 I was wondering if anyone could identify what year this Soloist Team is from. The anodised black came in 2005 and 2006? Also what forks are on the bike? I haven't seen them before and not sure if they are Wolf CL forks. I read in another post that the 2007+ models have a modified front derailer mount to allow compact cranksets. The crankset looks like a standard in the picture, does that mean it wouldn't be possible to swap it for a compact? Thanks for any help.

 Click image for a larger view

 It's one of the older ones for sure, that fork is the ones they use when they run out if wolf forks I think. Lucky you, they stopped making black, I'd buy one if they made 'em in black still =[

The serial number should be stamped on the frame on the underside of the BB shell. IIRC they commence P05 or P06 according to the model year.

The fork is a Project Zero3. It's a Cervelo branded fork made for Cervelo by TrueTemperI don't think Cervelo they make/supply it any longer.

Can't help about the compact cranks tho' 

Thanks for the info guys. It's actually a second hand bike so can't check the serial number at the moment.

How does the Project Zero fork compare to the Wolf Fork? It's still carbon with aluminium steerer?

I'm quite keen to put a compact on the frame so hopefully it is compatible if I do buy it. Anyone else have some input?

 The Project Zero3 is carbon + carbon steerer. It came supplied with my SLT, but I had an R2.5 with an SL, and managed to pick up another SL on ebay for the SLT. I did ride the Zero3 for a bit, but it was a while ago. I can't recall much specific about it now, I'm afraid. Certainly can't remember anything adverse about it though - I swapped it out because I wanted to match components and geometry on my bikes as far as possible.

 Managed to find some more info about the compact cranks in the Cervelo Knowledge Base. Unfortunately I can't link to it but here's the text.

For 2006 and earlier models, the only Cervélo models that are fully compact crank compatible are the R3 and the Soloist Carbon. We have designed the front derailleur mounts on the Soloist Carbon and the R3 to accommodate down to a 48 tooth compact chainring. All 2007 models are fully compact crank compatible.

Other Cervélo frames can also be used in combination with compact cranks (Team CSC has used compact cranks on their Cervélos in the Tour for many years) but due to the position of the derailleur hanger the set-up would fall outside of the recommended front derailleur/chainring spacing recommendations. This means that it becomes even more important to set the shifting up correctly. In this particular case, we find that the DuraAce front derailleur provides better shifting than derailleurs specifically designed for compact.

Compact front derailleurs are now becoming readily available but unfortunately they do not always ensure that the shifting is optimal. The DuraAce front derailleur seems to be the best front derailleur currently on the market for standard and compact drivetrains. Chainring quality is also paramount for good shifting on a compact crank, so resist the urge to save some quick money there.

For Campagnolo, they have a compact front derailleur to go with their compact cranks. But we do not have sufficient experience with that set-up to comment on whether that works better than the regular set-up.