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Our love affair with the Cervélo R3 is as red hot as it ever was, and day after day around here it proves to be the go-to choice for most folks itching to buy a ProTour-caliber bike. Rather than heap more praise upon it here (deserved as it is), we'll focus on a few not-exactly-perfect details of the R3:
1) We find that the stock FSA SL-K seatpost occasionally frustrates us with its limited adjustability. Specifically, each knurl of its clamp is too tall (or wide, depending on how you look at it). So some saddles sit just a smidge nose-up or nose-down: The fat knurls prevent us adjusting some saddles to a level position. Not all, but some.
2) While we love the death grip that the stock seat clamp has on the seatpost (and clamping power is without a doubt priority #1 for a seat clamp), the stock clamp is a wee bit chunky and artless.
3) The stock FSA IS-2 does a fine job of holding the front end of the bike together, but years of fondling Chris King Nothreadsets instilled in us a bit of fetish for colorful cups & silky bearings. The FSA has plow-horse-like charm, but it doesn't exactly satisfy our headset lust.
So, with these subtle imperfections in mind, we decided to package together an upgrade kit to address them. You'll get one of each of the following:
1) A Campagnolo Record carbon fiber seatpost in the ideal dimensions for the R3, 32.4mm x 350mm. The distance between its clamp knurls is tiny -- giving it dramatically added adjustability in comparison to the SL-K.
For those of you who ride a Shimano-equipped R3, please don't pooh-pooh the idea of using a Campy post! For starters, this is a beautiful, pro-quality post. But more importantly, you have no other option. While FSA once made a 32.4mm x 250mm K-Force Lite seatpost, they've (a) discontinued it, and (b) 250mm is too short for an R3. Thomson makes an aluminum 32.4mm post, and a long time ago Deda made some mid-price 32.4mm carbon posts. But neither of those would be a meaningful improvement. Luke, come over to the dark side. Seriously, a Campy post on a DA bike is no big deal, and it's a big step up from the SL-K.
2) A feathery (21g) Campagnolo Asymmetrical seatpost clamp in the proper size for the R3, 35.5-35.8mm. Lightness aside, its design ensures uniform clamping pressure over the entire circumference of the seatpost so it won't slip, no matter how hard you're hammering. And it has a beautifully machined look to it lacking in the blocky stock clamp.
3) A Cane Creek Solos IS integrated headset in your choice of 5 colors. As you probably know, Chris King doesn't make integrated headsets. The Solos IS is a gorgeous and supremely high-precision component -- exactly what King would make if they ventured into the integrated headset marketplace. The 5/32" stainless steel bearings in the Solos give it unmatched smoothness and durability in comparison to any other integrated headset out there. One bonus, too, is that you get both a short and a tall top cap -- giving you added adjustability to dial in your handlebar position. And, like a King Nothreadset, the Solos IS is so well made that it comes with a 10-year warranty.
If you bought each of these items individually, the bill would exceed $300. We've packaged them together and priced it at a substantial savings so you won't break the bank in making the nearly-perfect frame absolutely perfect.
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