In 1996, Cervélo pioneered what has become the de-facto standard in aero frame design, the P2. Its aero downtube and seattube with rearwheel cutout was heralded as a significant leap forward in frame design. It is a testament to the effectiveness of this design that even today an original P2 would rank among the most aerodynamic bikes in the pro field at any triathlon or time trial.
As good as the P2 was, as always we found ways to improve it with the next incarnation – the P2K and subsequently the P2 SL. The aerodynamic performance of the P2 was improved upon while at the same time the weight was dropped. We also made it more user-friendly with Cervélo innovations such as our rear dropout adjustment screws, the ICS internal cable system and the seamlessly integrated aero seatpost instead of the cumbersome and unnecessary one-piece seattube mast.
Since we introduced the P2 series there have been many imitators and knock-offs, many of them in carbon fiber. Yet, none have come close to, or improved upon our original design and none of them have utilized the carbon component to any great advantage. That’s why Cervélo is pleased to announce that we have upped the ante once again by introducing the 2006 P2 Carbon. With the same front triangle as the Tour-de-France speed record breaking Cervélo P3 Carbon and a rear triangle that improves upon the original P2 by exploiting the shaping possibilities of carbon fiber, the P2 carbon would be the fastest frame in the pro field, if it weren’t for the P3 Carbon. And all of this performance will be available to the regular consumer at a price far removed from usual pro-level bikes.
This is what we did:
1) The front triangle from the P3 Carbon was incorporated into the P2C. Of course, we could have made it less aerodynamic just because this frame would sell for less (sadly bike design often follows this bad version of “you get what you pay for”). But frankly, it would have cost us the same to make it that way as it does to do it right and we don’t feel we should punish people for no other reason than that they wish to purchase a less expensive frame.
2) The seatpost and seatpost clamp from the P3 Carbon was also retained. While it is a costly feature, the benefits are significant. It is simply the best way to combine the aerodynamic advantages of an integrated seatmast with the convenience of having a separate seatpost (no travel hassles).
3) Cable routing through ICS Internal CableStops and horizontal dropouts for a tight rearwheel cutout are obvious “must-haves” for the P2C.
But the main feature is the P2C rearwheel cutout, as it is the first cutout of this type to take advantage of the opportunities carbon fiber offers. Our biggest gripe with all the P2 carbon copies has been that the cutouts are made as if they are still made out of Aluminum. They taper at the top and bottom simply because that is what an airfoil shape does when you cut it further rearwards in a constant cross section.
In Aluminum this is unavoidable, but in carbon fiber there is no reason to keep the cross section constant. Its shape can be changed continuously to optimize the rearwheel cutout from top to bottom. We manipulate the cross sections of the seattube in such a way that at the point where it hits the cutout, its width is constant regardless of where in the cutout you measure. This width closely matches the width of the rear tire, thereby ensuring a smooth airflow transition from seattube to rear wheel. The combination of a constant width with a greater height of the cutout means that roughly 50% more of the rear tire is covered than any other P2 style frame available. Of course the P3 Carbon is another step beyond when it comes to covered area,
