“The P2C packs a better punch than many bikes at twice the price”
- Triathlete magazine
“No upgrades are required. Slap on a set of race wheels and you’re ready to win Kona”
- Dan Empfield, founder QR and editor Slowtwitch.com
We again have to agree with Dan, in fact, somebody DID win Kona on a P2C. Early in 2007, Cervélo-supported teamTBB gave Chrissie Wellington the chance to focus full-time on triathlon. In October 2007, she stunned the triathlon world when she rode her P2C to victory at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships. Where did it all get started for the P2C?
In 1996, Cervélo pioneered what has become the defacto 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 of them have utilized the carbon component to any great advantage. It was clear that we had to do it ourselves.
That’s why Cervélo developed the P2C. With the same front triangle as the Tour-de-France speed record breaking Cervélo P3C and a rear triangle that improves upon the original P2 by exploiting the shaping possibilities of carbon fiber, the P2 carbon is clearly ahead of other dual aero carbon pro frames. And all of this performance will be available to the regular consumer at a price far removed from usual pro-level bikes.
Highlights
Constant width seattube cutout – The cutout has a constant width, closely covering the rearwheel tire. Most cutouts (with the exception of the P3) have a cutout width that varies as you move up and down the cutout, thereby hampering the proper airflow from the seattube to the rearwheel.
Aero headtube - no bulky nose cone, but an extremely thin, aerodynamically optimized shape
New Cervélo aero carbon IAA seatpost - With its Integrated Accessory Attachment, this new seatpost can secure behind-the-seat components such as water bottle holders much more securely. Expect new products for the IAA system soon.
Integrated Seattube collar - By integrating the seattube collar completely into the toptube, we are able to smoothen the aerodynamic profile even further. The airflow doesn't even see the collar, yet the seatpost can be removed with ease. By integrating the seatpost into the frame aerodynamically but not structurally, you can fit the P2C into any bike case and travel without a problem, something that is very difficult to do with other integrated seatpost solutions that have the seatpost molded into the frame in one piece and that do not allow for the seatpost to be removed. And we certainly have first-hand experience with this, as the original Cervélo P2 was the first bike to sport an integrated seatpost that was permanently attached to the frame. While it was the best solution we could come up with back in 1996, the new system with the removable seatpost is superior not only for traveling but also aerodynamically, as it allows us to use a much narrower seatpost than if it was a structural part of the frame.
ICS Internal Cable Stops - The best internal cable stop system available. Easy to install, easy to service, easy to keep clean and improved aerodynamics.
UCI legal - As with all our frames, the P2C is UCI legal