The Cervelo R3 SL is a very different looking road bike because it uses some of the most unique tube shapes imaginable.  These tube shapes are only possible with carbon fiber; I don't think they could be reproduced with any metal (at least the tubes couldn't be welded together into a frame the way they flow together in carbon).  Cervelo refers to this tubing as “Squoval” because it changes from square to oval in shape.  Both shapes make perfect sense and combining them works brilliantly.

The down tube is the most square of the three main tubes with the top tube running from square at the head tube to oval at the seat tube.  The seat tube is square at the bottom bracket but quickly changes to round and stays that way to the top.  One difference between the R3 and the R3 SL is the diameter of the seat tube - 32.4mm for the R3 and 27.2 for the R3 SL.  The head tube is round with a larger and slightly less aero looking shape than that of the Soloist bikes.  Next, we come to the stays, which are astonishingly different.  The "stiletto" seat stays are slightly larger than a number 2 pencil and the chain stays are beefy enough to use as bridge supports.  Finally, Cervelo mates the frame to an ultra smooth riding all carbon aero fork made by Alpha Q (True Temper).  All of these shapes and sizes sound somewhat odd, but it results in a very attractive bike in person.

Do all of those shapes result in a bike you can ride?  Well, I built her up with the components you see in the pictures ('07 Campy Record Group, Topolino VX4.0 wheels with ceramic bearings, Tufo Elite Jet tubular tires, 3T More carbon bar, ITM 101 carbon stem, SI Flite gel flow saddle and Time RXS carbon pedals - weighing in at approximately 14lbs.) and took her for a ride.  At first I thought I was day/morning dreaming because I was thinking - "is this bike as good as it feels or am I just not awake yet?"   Then at the end of my first 40-mile ride I was almost speechless.  I've never been on anything quite like this bike.  The 51cm frame weighs only 790g but it rides like butter.  It accelerates so quickly that you have to completely re-adjust the way you ride in a group.  Stand up and the bike goes forward like you are a Tour level sprinter or climber.  Sit down and spin and the bike is incredibly smooth and quite.  Positioning yourself within a group or on a particular spot of pavement is almost telepathic.  Confidence in high-speed corners and ability to keep the tightest line possible has never been easier.  After experiencing all of this in just one short ride, all I could mutter was a somewhat faint "wow!"  Now I've ridden it again and again and again and again and everything I felt the first ride just gets reaffirmed.  This bike is as solid and as smooth as any bike I've ever ridden and it is also the lightest.  Remarkable! 

Am I surprised?  Yes.  Should I be?  Well certainly not if you've ever heard the guys from Cervelo talk about their bikes.  Yes, I'm referring to Vroomen and White whose names appear on the chain stays of every Cervelo.  Arrogant?  I used to think so but not any more.  I'm now convinced they’re just confident they build the best road and tri bikes on the planet.  After all, the P2C I reviewed a year and a half ago had many of the same attributes.

If you want to read more about the design, geometry, etc. of the R3 SL, then Cervelo has a very informative web site that you can enjoy here.  I will leave it to those who designed the bike to explain why it has the attributes I have described.  If, however, you are ready for an experience like none other you have likely had on two wheels, then arrange a test ride on an R3 SL as soon as possible.

KDG