BICYLE ROAD: Cervélo R3 SL

“Tour-winning bike” would be an easy way to get your attention (and I guess we just did), but that’s not so relevant. What is relevant is that the rider, Carlos Sastre, can’t imagine riding anything else. And that the world’s toughest magazine test from TOUR in Germany clearly show the R3 SL to be the best combination of stiffness, low weight and comfort.

Add to that the impact strength and incredible fatigue life (passing out internal tests, which are several times higher than the industry levels) and it is clear why the R3 SL is a favorite among consumers and reviewers alike. And why riders are chomping at the bit to join our new Cervélo TestTeam.


Squoval downtube & chainstays - Optimized for the highest possible stiffness-to-weight ratio (STW).

Multi-shape toptube - Squoval at both ends and oval in the middle to counter the complex loads.

Oversized bottom bracket area – Large diameter and smooth, optimized shapes increase bottom bracket stiffness for excellent power transfer from pedal to rear wheel.

Lay-up optimization – In theory, 90Msi ultra-high modulus carbon is great. Extremely stiff, you only need very little of it to make a stiff frame. Unfortunately, it is near impossible to work with and not very strong, so you can’t use it everywhere in the frame and most factories cannot use it at all. That’s why only two bike companies use it in their frames. Cervélo is one of them, in select areas of the R3 SL and the S3.

Ultra thin seatstays - With the Squoval chainstays resisting forces so effectively, the seatstays can be very minimalist. By making them wide but thin, they resist rear triangle torsion while providing vertical compliance. In other words, the rear triangle is stiff where it needs to be for efficient power transfer from pedal to rear wheel, but compliant where it can add rear wheel tracking and comfort. Thus the small seatstays save weight, without any compromise.