I test road a Cervelo R3 today. My current frame is a steel frame. The Cervelo was very nice and smooth. There was one issue and I am not sure if it is me or the bike. When I was pedaling on flat or slight grade hills I noticed a dead/dragging feeling on the bike. While I was pedaling it was occurring at around 15-25 mph. It was almost like some one was applying the breaks but there was no break rub occurring. It was just a strange pulsating feeling which made me think it had something to do with the pedaling. All the components on the bike worked fine.

Could this be that I am use to a frame that flexes on my pedal stroke and this carbon frame was not flexing and was actually applying the force to the wheel?

Thanks for you inputs. :thumbsup:

I test road a Cervelo R3 today. My current frame is a steel frame. The Cervelo was very nice and smooth. There was one issue and I am not sure if it is me or the bike. When I was pedaling on flat or slight grade hills I noticed a dead/dragging feeling on the bike. While I was pedaling it was occurring at around 15-25 mph. It was almost like some one was applying the breaks but there was no break rub occurring. It was just a strange pulsating feeling which made me think it had something to do with the pedaling. All the components on the bike worked fine.

Could this be that I am use to a frame that flexes on my pedal stroke and this carbon frame was not flexing and was actually applying the force to the wheel?

Thanks for you inputs. :thumbsup:

Had that sensation on my Cervelo P3c. I finally realized that the tire was rubbing in the rear seat tube. On the P3c the wheel recesses into a slot within the seat tube. I eased out the adjustment screws in the drops and all was well.

Wonder if it coyld have been the brakes?

I test road a Cervelo R3 today. My current frame is a steel frame. The Cervelo was very nice and smooth. There was one issue and I am not sure if it is me or the bike. When I was pedaling on flat or slight grade hills I noticed a dead/dragging feeling on the bike. While I was pedaling it was occurring at around 15-25 mph. It was almost like some one was applying the breaks but there was no break rub occurring. It was just a strange pulsating feeling which made me think it had something to do with the pedaling. All the components on the bike worked fine.

Could this be that I am use to a frame that flexes on my pedal stroke and this carbon frame was not flexing and was actually applying the force to the wheel?

Thanks for you inputs. :thumbsup:

I just went from a rather soft and flexy steel frame to a Cervelo R3. When I got the bike from the shop, one of the brake pads was touching the rear rim, but I could only feel it when starting from a standstill. I loosened up the rear brake of course. The reason it touched might be that I zip tied the rear brake cable to the frame because it was touching my thigh. Otherwise, I didn't have the feeling you describe. Since most people do 90% of their riding at 15-25mph, I see how it could be a problem.

-ilan

Since most people do 90% of their riding at 15-25mph, I see how it could be a problem.

-ilan

Yeah, it was a strange feeling. Today I am thinking it had to be either break rub or the tire rubbing the frame (which would seem a bit strange). Could a quick release be strong enough to hold a wheel at a slight angle that causes the wheel to rub? I don't think that a quick release could be strong enough to hold a wheel like this adn not fall into place during a ride.

thanks for you input.

:thumbsup:

I bought an R3 several months ago and my first impressions were how well it climbed - stiff and light especially on steep out of the saddle climbs. Now over the past several months I have been equally impressed with the performance on the flats and slight uphills. In places where I used to need to shift down on my Merlin, I can pull up on the pedals and not need to shift down... I'm not sure what you felt on your test ride, but I can tell you from my experience the R3 is very efficient at putting all your pedaling effort to the ground, regardless of the speed or steepness of the road.

After riding my road bike this weekend there has to be some type of mechanical issue with the R3 I test rode. I will see if the shop can switch out some wheels and I am going to try a BMC and a Soloist for comparison. If I still get that sensation again on the rides I will see if they will let me bring my wheels in to try on the bike.