The Cervlo R3 frameset takes the innovations Cervlo developed for the RCA and makes them available to the masses. What you see is that top-end designsame geometry, same tubing profileswith more economical carbon plies. It takes the best of the old R3 and dials it up several notches.
The first thing to realize is that this frame is aero. Not Cervlo S-series aero, but more aero than many traditional road frames on the market. Cervlo put the older R's into the wind tunnel and saw the tubes were already somewhat aero. And by careful shaping, they were able to take Squoval 2 shapes and pull them and shave them to the point that they became something different. Squoval 3, which nets you more than seven watts of energy savings.
The energy saved does not come at the expense of the ride. The pencil-thin seat stays still offer great vibration damping while the BBright bottom bracket shell is eight percent stiffer. At the front, the tapered steerer tube is now 24% torsionally stiffer than the previous R3, which makes it better out of the saddle and better at corners, regardless of speed. And, as a bike that can ride cobblestones, it makes sense that 25mm tires fit easily.
Another innovation that has made its way to this platform is the Future-Proof cable routing. The internal cabling system allows for mechanical, hydraulic, and electric, and all you have to do is install different fittings at the ports, be they plugs or stops; all come with.
Subtle, but equally important, is how Cervlo sizes their frames. While they differentiate the sizes based on the top tube length, that isn't what you should use, that's to hew to convention. They actually pay more attention to stack and reach measurements. This is because it more accurately reflects how to fit different sized people. Each successively larger frame is taller and longer than the previous. This way, the short-torsoed and the long, the stiff and the flexible, can easily find the size that works for them.
The Cervlo R3 Frameset comes with a FSA headset installed, as well as a FSA SLK seat post, and clamp. It's ready for you.
