After about a week's research a visit to a couple of bike shops, a quotation but no test ride, I might be about to part with a little over £2k for my first Cervelo, the S1. Weather permitting I'll do 50-100 a week and might try one or two triathlons next year. I'm short (51cm frame) and weigh in at 140lbs. Current bike which, I'll keep because I've had it 8yrs and still love it; Klein Quantum. Before I do anything can I have a couple of questions answered? Other than the colour what is the difference between the 2009 & 2010 frame? Shimano Ultegra or something else? What wheels? What tyres? Why is it about the same in Pounds as it is in Dollars? Would it be worth importing a ready built one from the US? Cheers JFM

 ...careful about import tax (assume your in the UK and thinking of importing form US) Ask someone who does a lot of shipping - I think R&A in NYC do. As they'll know the skinny on that.

 I'm not totally up to speed on the S1 09 vs '10 but like the rest of th range I'm pretty sure no structural difference. Only paint job. (so an old season bargain might be a good call if you can find it)

 My humble and (openly shimano biased) opinion on groupset:-) ....

All the top end groups from shimano/campy/sram are great (I still think Dura Ace has the functionality dibs by a little), but when you get to the groupsets down from the flagship, then shimano stuff is far far far better performing.  It might be slightly less durable over years of abuse and bad care, but it will shift better, more acurately, quieter...etc while in goodcondition.  Goes for braking too. End story Ultegra is a great group and great value by any book, and spares/service etc are super easy to get. 

Wheel wise is a whole different discussion and requires budget and type of race input from your end for people to give an informed answer. I will only say, that as with the frame, for triathalon especially, go aero as first priorty (if you can, buy deep section/disc) and as light as you can as a second priority, and go with a brand thats fairly well known if you want to minimise any risk.  If real deep section is out, check out things like the new zipp 101 or HED ardennes ranges as a great starting point.    If you really want to get into it, look at the study here as a good start point for investigation: http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15441821.html 

Match your tires to a) the wheels (width) b) your intended type of course c) your budget (again!)

Good luck, you can't go too far wrong! and enjoy the ride!

 

LachR3. Yep import would be from over the pond to the UK. But I'm sure I'll just pay over the odds and get it in the UK. Thanks for your comments. I currently have 105 and I'm happy enough with them but would like to step up when I spec the S1.

First of all, congratulations on arriving at what I think is the obvious choice for an aluminum road bike: the Soloist Team (aka S1). Except for the fork, the last change to the frameset was 2005, which was the year that the carbon version was instroduced at the TDF. The Ultegra is a very nice set (I had it put on my P2C). To avoid headaches and more expense at a later date, don't get the stock FSA crankset. Rather, change up to an Ultegra crankset (or full SRAM is that is your choice). As to choice of wheelset and tyres: that is an area that you should not hold back on, but get the best that you can afford. There are too many opinions out there as to which is best, and I am sure that others will respond to that, so I won't get into that discussion.

 Cheers.

Good choice on the S1 I'd recommend you try and buy in the UK and if possible local to where you live... so if you have any problems you can speak to someone face to face. There are deals to be had... I got a great deal on my R3 in May of this year and have just ordered an S1 with SRAM Force for training rides etc... again being able to strike a good deal with my local Cervelo dealer.

I'm in the same situation as the OP; opt to go with the S1.  can't wait to find one and finally ride it. 

@jfm, good sensible advice from macdesigner. Thought iMight chime in to save you the time and £'s getting your S1 from the US over to the UK.

Bottom line (yes) mostly likely find a good deal from an authorized Cervelo dealership in the US especially on the '09 (if you like the colours) and but here's the catch  -> UK customs excise will hit you with 15% import duty fee and not to forget an extra 15% for the VAT which incidentally will shoot up to 17.5% in Jan 2010. So we are talking adding 30% on top of the actual cost of the bike shown on the purchase invoice. Ouch!

Summary - 30% charge until the end of 2009 and 32.5% charge from Jan 2010. This applies to both "USED" or brandnew bikes! Unless you are going to be there on holiday in the US/Canada, you could ride the bike, get it dirty and bring it back with you on the plane (which I did many years ago on a different brand) then you could get away with it but not suggesting it will be 100% full-proof.

And if I have done my homework thoroughly, even with the best deals out there in the US/Canada, it will not save you money importing; it will end up costing loads more. If you are really lucky to find rock bottom deals in the US/Canada, you might just about breakeven by bringing it over. If I were in your shoes, I would save the hassle and just explore options with your local Cervelo dealership so you can get that expertise of building and working with Cervelo bikes.

One other option is importing a 'frame set only' should work out to be slightly more cost effective than a complete bike, especially if you have components and gruppos and bits and pieces you can transfer over from your existing bike or pick these up relatively cheap by browsing online and build your Cervelo up that way. With the latter unless you know and have experience of building a Cervelo, best to have it build up properly by your LBS who has loads of Cervelo experience. They should be able to build it up for you for a tidy sum of £120-£140 depending on the shop. If you buy bits and pieces from them, they might even throw in the bikefit for free which is worth getting when you are spending this amount of £. I'm not talking just about the frame size, get them to set the bike up to suit your riding style, goals/objectives, technical adjustments, body flexibility so you get the optimum performance from your S1.

Check out R&A Cycles in NYC !!! They still have 2009 S1 frameset in stock for in a 51cm for US $1200 (£750??) so you might want to explore that option and do the maths to see if it makes sense or not bringing it over when you compare the prices at Primera Bournemouth and The TriStore in Eastbourne (not sure where you are in the UK, but these might be a good starting point). You could also try Sigma Sports in Kingston-Up-on-Thames, but they are pricey and not that great customer service so I would give Sigma a miss. If you are near Finchley, NW London Bike and Run is good.

But best of the bunch DeVere Cycles south of the river in Streatham, London definitely worth a visit (talk to Paul the mechanic - top bloke!) or the owner Maurice (ex-Pro rider!!!) who knows his bikes inside and out.  Don8t forget to have a play with their online 'bikebuilder tool' so you can tweak various options and components to your liking until the cows come home :) and very competitive pricing. Have fun, iDid!

Let me know how you get on with Devere.  iThink they offer a very good service and have a wealth of expertise, friendly and good all round customer care) especially from Paul and the Owner himself who will look after you until you are satisfied. Hope this info helps and hApPy S1 hunting!

oh and btw - - - and if you come across a 51cm jet black anodized frame (2006) be sure to let Rock know rightaway!

Thx again @rock, fantastic response, really appreciate it. Looked at prices in the the USA and as you say by the time you add taxes it's not worth it so I'm gonna buy here. Been to a local dealer and have the details of another to visit. Also had a quote from the first shop but it way over what I could achieve buy buying the components on-line even when I add the LBS fee for building it. As for the jet black WOW, I want one too ;-))