This post is dedicated to the proud owners of the R3 SL or R3.  The bike that has won both the Tour de France and Paris Roubaix.  One ride and we ALL know why it won such prestigious races!  Now is the chance to post your stories about your first ride, your first triumph whether it be in a competition or just a ride out with the guys.  You can post your pictures of your beloved carbon bike for all R3 owners to see. Thank you Carlos for putting this bike on the map last year!  Enjoy!!!

Champagne Photo courtesy of Wessel van Keuk - Marketa Navratilova

Let me be the first!  I have been looking at carbon bikes ever since my brother surprisingly showed up with a brand new Orbea Orca on one of our weekend rides with the boys a year ago.  WoW! That bike looked amazing.  That bike planted a seed for a mean carbon craving.  I've always proudly ridden my Merlin Agilis titanium road bike.  Comfortable, but lacks the racing attitude when the ride becomes competitive.  Fast forward to this year...actively looking for MY carbon road bike!  It boiled down to a 2009 Orbea Orca or 2008 Cervelo R3 SL.  Carlos winning the Tour, nor Samuel winning this year's Olympics did not make my decision any easier.  Finally it went down to reading all the reviews I can find about these bikes.  Last September I brought my hard earned money to my local bike shop and put a hefty deposit on an R3 SL without even trying it out for a spin.  My heart, and my pockets felt lighter that day : )  Went home and started looking around for aero wheels.  Thanks to eBay I was able to purchase a mint condition Mavic Carbone SL Premium wheels. Kept the HED Bastognes since they are slightly lighter than the top of the line Mavic Ksyriums.  December rolls along, and Christmas came early for me.  I took home my beautiful black and white Cervelo R3 SL.  Only upgrades were Fizik carbon seat, Micelin PRO 3 tires, FSA handlebars, FSA ceramic BB, and ceramic bearings for the Mavics.  Used Zipp carbon bottle cages, Look Keo Ti pedals, and Cateye Mity 3.  The first ride told me just about everything.  This bike is FAST and loves to climb.  On my first ride with the boys I noticed how easy it was to climb routes that used to be difficult on my Merlin.  Least to say, it was a polka dot moment!  The flats became flatter thanks to the Mavic Carbones.  Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you my Cervelo R3 SL:

Job well done Cervelo!!! 

Since I have an R3, I guess I'm allowed to post, but for everyday rides and centuries, I'd much rather be on my RS.  More complience and a smoother ride.  I'll have to race myself on both bikes before I'd award my R3 as any faster then the RS.  I'll let you know but I doubt the time would make up for the comfort, especially as someone who doesn't race...just likes to be fast.

I must admit I am a proud owner of a 2009 R3, got it at Christmas. I have only had a chance to use it on my trainer but am itching for the snow to disappear. This bike has a totally different rider stance and the cocpit is compact. Here it is!!!!

 That's nice to have both.  It's like having a Cadillac and a Ferrari at your whim.  RS has been awarded by Bicycling as the most PLUSH bike, and Velonews awarded the R3 SL as Buyer's Guide Pro Race bike for 2008.  Bicycling also gave the R3 SL stellar reviews.  Enjoy them both!  I know for a fact that my behind does not get as much of a beating on the R3 SL compared to that on my Merlin Agilis.  That being said, I would choose my R3 SL over my Merlin for any type of ride.  My Merlin will be designated as my trainer bike, or the bike to use when weather turns afoul.

 That is one SWEET ride!  Keep me posted on how you feel about your bike as you start logging on more miles.  Aim for the manhole covers...they seem not to exist : )

 hi , had a soloist now have a r3sl .love it zipp300 cranks magnesium americiam classic wheels kestral bars syntace stem carbon and ti bits and pieces dura-ace derailliurs and shifters nokon cables and powercordz .6kg on the nose .i cannot download photos ?ow. zero gravity brakes k2 carbon saddle kestral post .

Hi, I'm in the process of building my recently purchased R3! Full Dura ace, Ritchey finishing kit, Bontrager X-lite wheels, white Arione for the icing on top!  Can't wait for the English weather to improve, not sure if i want to get that lovely white finish dirty! Will attempt to post some pics when done!

 Posting a picture of my R3 SL in color.

 Wow!!!  Who did the awesome custom paint job...Calfee?

This post is great.  I decided to put this up after getting tired of sifting though thousands of picture posts looking for the Cervelo R3 SL and R3 on the Owners Forum.  Keep it coming guys!  This posting is for you and your awesome bike.  Post anything about your R3 wether it be ride stories, pictures, or anything related to our model bikes.  Those looking into purchasing an R3/SL, but have reservations or questions please feel free to post your questions.  Hopefully you may find the answers you are looking for to draw you closer to owning this great bike.  Cervelo also makes the awesome S and RS versions, but WE decided to go for the R3/SL for various personal reasons.  Wether it be weight, look, handling, race pedigree...it's all about personal choice and preference.

I started looking for a new bike in November 08. Didn't really need one, my 06 Trek Madone 5.2 was fine for what I do. Lots of club riding and century rides. I bikes just over 2800 miles last year. Year prior much less and my goal this year is 4,000 miles.

Anyway my LBS had a Cervelo R3 in my size 61 CM which I road and really liked. The bike was night and day different from the Trek. It was on discount since it was last years model and I was very tempted to purchase it. Only thing that stopped me was the white color. But since I now knew what size I'd be on this bike and he did not have any R3 SLs, really wanted almost any other color but white, I looked on ebay. .

Well who would have guessed an R3 SL 61cm would be listed. I was way excited. It was $300 less then the new R3 even after the R3 discount.  I did the buy now and drove over to Pittsburgh Pa to pick it up the next day.

Bike was in great shape.

I've been able to get almost 200 miles on it sicne then. I'm in NJ it's cold, plus I was on vacation for 20 days most of Dec. But I really like this bike. I have not ridden the Trek since. No pictures but it's stock so we all know what that looks like.