Visual diary #3 | Cervelo P-Series
There are dozens of bike manufacturers all vying for attention by offering new color schemes, updated drivetrains, and excellent brakes. I consider Cervelo cycles to be the one company that prioritizes the rider’s experience and comfort above all else.
Cervelo’s attention to detail and user-focused engineering approach redefined the entire cycling industry and forced other manufacturers to question what their focus should be.
Unlike their competitors, Cervelo doesn’t have dozens of different bike models. Instead, they focus their efforts on addressing the specific needs of everyday riders by ensuring their entire line-up can be easily reconfigured and adjusted to fit all body types. By having fewer models that are more flexible, Cervelo can then focus their efforts on constantly researching and improving their line-up.
There is no better example of how disruptive this shift has been than their P-Series triathlon bikes. Cervelo introduced the P-Series by setting out to better understand how riders used these bikes. Before the P-Series, most riders used road-specific bikes and added aero-bars to make them more aerodynamic. This approach didn’t address or seek to understand how the bike geometry could better support riders in this new position on long rides.
Instead of taking this approach, Cervelo designed an all new bike geometry that better positioned riders for long races. This new geometry was achieved after studying cyclists in wind tunnels and measuring their heart rate, lactic acid build-up, and overall body stress in different positions.
Cervelo’s P-Series combines a human-centered approach to its geometry with top of the line specs to deliver bikes that are ridden by elite professionals and weekend warriors. A fantastic example of their design leadership is seeing how many age-group (everyday athletes) triathletes and professionals alike use the same bike during races.
