2008 Cervelo SLC SL - My dream realized

[Cheers!]

So in August 2009 I had an itch to get an exotic road bike. I have ridden my 2006 Cervelo Solost Team for 3 years, and have about 10,000 kms on her. Back then I lusted for a SLC SL. The soloist team was my 1st road bike. Not knowing if I liked road biking I decided to get the fastest bike under 2000 CDN dollars at the time. Aerodynamic aluminum frame. Ultegra everything. Worked out well. Till I transferred my upgrad-itis habits from mountain bikes over to the road bike.

By the time I was done with the soloist team, I had made her into a 14.99 lbs aluminum bike with carbon clinchers.

http://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4903

So what did I do? 2009 Cervelo introduced their S3 to replace their SLC-SL. I thought the paint job sucked and there was rampant complains that the cable routing sucked causing the drivetrain to shift poorly. Much like cars when they changed generations, I thought bikes would be fire sold. I went to Cervelo.com looked up every single USA dealer and started calling. I picked ones that seemed to have a decent inter-web presence. Cross referenced to see if anyone had any complaints about them on MTBR or RoadBikeReview.

I finally found a 54cm SLC-SL frame from http://artscyclery.com/ They had it listed for 3899 on closeout. Knowing that Excel Sports fire sold their frames for 2899 when they had them I called. "Hi, I'm interested in your 54CM Cervelo SLC-SL frame, you have on your website as closeout sale. Do you still haven it?" they did. So then I said... "Can you guys do better on your pricing? I see it going for 3899 USD on closeout. It's now August 2009 and you guys are probably selling S3s now. What's the best price you can do? I have my wallet in my hand and have 4 credit cards I can choose from."

"2499 sir, free shipping"

I replied.

"I'll TAKE IT!"

gave them my amex number. Had it shipped to a postal outlet in Buffalo New York. Drove from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Buffalo to pick it up and bring it back over (saves on customs fees, and brokerage fees)

I broke down my 2006 Soloist Team. Washed all the parts. Then rehung the new frame with the old parts following NASA procedures on torquing fasteners, cleaning threads, application of thread-locking compounds, and lubes. After all I'm an aerospace engineer by vocation.

I present to you my dream bike. 13.7 lbs of bliss.







I don't have the latest picture. But one of the Tune Bottle cages cracked. So I replaced them with Planet Bike carbon cages (22g each), sanded off the logos. I also got some fibrelyte chainrings that I have not mounted yet.

[pritchet74]

AWESOME! I have a 54cm SLC SL as well & it's the greatest bike I have ever owned. Very, very, very nice build. I really like the look of the silver ZG's on there. Man, I wish I could try out one of those Speedneedles......

How about a complete build list?

[Cheers!]

I actually have a 2nd pair of ZeroGravity Brakes I picked up cheap. $250 CDN - 2006 OG-06-Ti in black. The set I have pictures is also from 2006, but uses Stainless hardware.

Here is the latest build list when I swap the brakes out and put on the fiberlyte chainrings. I'm hoping the campy chain ring bolts are the same as everyone elses and I can use the chainring nut tools I have.

Also the saddle angle is messed. I need to lower the nose a bit. I was doing an experiment to see how far back I can tilt it and see if it is still comfy.

Here is the build list:

[Cheers!]

I hope you guys like it. There are some really top end super expert elite weight weenies on this forum.

[Boonen]

Very nice bike Cheers! !
I like the story behind it and how it evolved, let us know how it'll turn out with the FL rings and the new brakes. The campy chainring bolts shouldn't be a problem, you'll probably be fine with just an allen key really.

[dunlinii]

Thats one nice bike, I love that feeling when you ride something for years, and then get a nice new shiny bike after much lusting. Also, great stroy

[Ypsylon]

I really liked your SLT as well.

What shoes do you use with the pedals?

[Cheers!]

I use Sidi Ergo2 w/ Specialized BG inserts. I use the Quattro 3 hole road cleats for the shoes. But I would like to try a new insert. It's too bad esoles scanner isn't avaiable in canada. Else I would love to give those a try.

[pritchet74]

Just drive across the border & get it done, eh?

[williamsf1]

love this bike!!!