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The Cervelo R3 is not the most aero road bike (that would be the S3), it's not the stiffest (that's also the S3) but perhaps the only one that is so light (sub 900 grams frame and fork), rigid, and vertically compliant. How stiff? Well, the secret test results of a certain huge bicycle company have found one of the laterally stiffest bikes to be the Cervelo R3 since it's release. How comfortable? Two wins on the worst roads in professional cycling; Paris Roubaix—2006 and 2007. How light? The year Stuart O'Grady won Paris Roubaix he was riding a frame that weighed 860 grams.
When Cervelo set out to create the lightest, stiffest bike in the world, they created a bike that looked unlike any other. Squoval Tubing, which is just what it sounds like; a square with ovalized corners, reed-thin seat stays, and a massive bottom bracket shell meld together to create a bike that is just as impressive to look at as it is to ride.
The Sqouval shape is ultra-stable laterally and resists torsional stress very well, and when combined with high-modulus carbon allows for a lighter build without sacrificing stiffness. The top tube is Squoval shaped at the head tube and seat tube junctions to combat lateral bending, and flows into an oval shape in the middle where torsional resistance is more important. The down tube is Sqouval tubing from head tube to bottom bracket, where stiffness lives. Massive Squoval chain stays keep flex out of your ride. Integral to the performance qualities of Squoval is Smartwall for Carbon Technology, which the R3 proves is relevant to all tube shapes, not just the ultra-aero tubing of Cervelo's Soloist and time trial sleds. Fine-tuning the wall profile and carbon lay-up of Squoval tubes allows Cervelo's engineers infinite control over qualitative features like ride quality, and quantitative characteristsc such as durability and rigidity.
For 2010 the Cervelo R3 received a facelift and new components package. The wheels are now Fulcrum Racing 5 and the component package is Shimano Dura Ace 7900.
Spec (May differ slightly from what's listed below. Call to confirm)
Fork: 3T Funda Pro
Seatpost: 3T Dorico Team
Shift/Brake Levers: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7900
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 6700 12-25
Chain: Shimano Ultegra 6700
Brake Calipers: Dura Ace 7900
Crankset: Dura Ace 7900 53x39
Bottom Bracket: Dura Ace 7900
Headset: FSA Orbit IS
Stem: 3T ARX Team
Handlebars: 3T Ergonova Team
Saddle: fi'zi:k: Arione CX
Wheels: Fulcrum Racing 5
Tires: Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick
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