I've called around, but nobody seems to carry the S1 because they all say "there are better (carbon) bikes at that price point".  

1)Anyone know where I can test an S1 here in the Bay?  

2)any thoughts on the value factor for an S1?    

 given full Ultegra, I actually see the S1 as a good value, but then again i'm a mountain biker looking for my first road bike so i know very little.   seems like you need to spend at least $3000 for Giant TCR, Trek Madone or Felt to get an Ultegra carbon bike.   for a grand less, the S1 seems appealing to my pocketbook, but maybe some of you can shed light on why the dealers are saying that at its price level, there are better bikes/values...???

2)any thoughts on the value factor for an S1? 

Closeout sale, you would be looking two grand* for Cervelo S1 2009 Ultegra SL build. Add 10% for 2010 version. *UK sterling pound. Wonder how much cheaper (% ballpark) Cervelos are in the US and Canada? Aren8t you glad you are in the US/Canada :)

 2)any thoughts on the value factor for an S1?

Well, I have one an love it.  Hard to beat at $2k.  And if you were to spend $3k, it might be better getting the $2k bike and some really nice wheels.  The $3k TCR probably won't have much better wheels.

fastdiablo:

... they all say "there are better (carbon) bikes at that price point" ... any thoughts on the value factor for an S1? ...  maybe some of you can shed light on why the dealers are saying that at its price level, there are better bikes/values...???

Competitivecyclist.com responds to your concerns: "Who doesn't have a love/hate relationship with the word value? On the one hand it's always a pleasure to save money. But in buying anything that purports to give you lots of bang for the buck it's easy to get fixated on what corners have been cut, and just how deeply the cutting went. It doesn't matter what you're buying -- bike, car, clothing, wristwatch -- once enough sacrifices have been made in performance and quality "value" becomes indistinguishable from "cheap", and who wants that?

With the Cervélo S1 you aren't getting mere value, you're committing complete and total highway robbery. No similarly priced frame on the market comes anywhere close in terms of raceability, aerodynamics, comfort, and durability. Try to name another barely-more-than-$1000 frameset with its track record: Victories in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Paris-Nice (twice), Tour of the Med (twice), and Criterium International (twice) ...". See  http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/frame/2010-cervelo-s1-6517.html for the remainder of the description.

Check out Cyclepath in San Mateo. I was just there yesterday and they had two 2009 S1's. One was 54cm and the other was smaller if I remember.

 1212 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94402-2925
(650) 341-0922

 If 54 is the size, I believe that there is one on Craigs List right now for $1150 or so... 2007 full ultegra.

i'm a 56 or possibly a 58.  keep the suggestions coming!    thanks guys!

 Front of the Pack in Palo Alto - they usually have good stock.  Tri store mainly.

Pacific Bicycle (near Downtown SF), they carry Cervelo. I test drove an S2 last weekend.

And they give an extra 10% discount off bikes with a valid Bike Coalition membership.

Derman:

 Front of the Pack in Palo Alto - they usually have good stock.  Tri store mainly.

+1 - They also do a very good fitting with purchase of the bike

Try Wheelworks in Davis, California (on Interstate 80) to Sacramento.  They only do high-end bikes and most of the guys behind the counter race.

They also have a good selection of S1 bikes in stock.