Price: $3,299
Weight: 18.3 lbs.
Components: Ultegra, Ritchey Aero DS wheelset.
Frame & Fork: Smartwall-butted TrueAero aluminum, Cervelo carbon fork
Geometry: 73º head tube, 73.5º seat tube, 575 mm top tube
Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58 (tested), 61cm
Comments: “It’s not an identity crisis, it’s multitasking!”
www.cervelo.com


Canadian Pride: Cervelo frames are made and painted in both Canada and the U.S. Our test Soloist was made in Canada. All Cervelo bicycles are assembled in the USA.

As the name suggests, the Cervelo Soloist is one that can be ridden alone, in relative seclusion. The more subtle suggestion in its name is that the bike is in a class of its own. Both statements are true. In addition, is the interesting fact that the Soloist can also fit in with a crazed pack of crit racers or among friends on a social group ride. If ever there were a bike with a fierce bipolar disorder, the Soloist is it.

Starting with the successful and carefully designed aerodynamic profile tubing that made Cervelo triathlon bikes so stunningly slippery in head winds, the Soloist features a wing-shaped down tube and a unique seat tube that is elliptical on the leading edge and sharp on the trailing edge. Cervelo decided to combine its aerodynamics with more traditional road geometry to create a bike that could be more versatile. With notable exceptions, such as Swiss Army knives, few multipurpose products are ideal for each of the multiple pur-poses that they are designed to do. My time in the saddle was spent with the intention of finding out if the Soloist was a bike that, like Cervelo claims, could do everything from road rides, to races, to triathlons.

Its most unique feature is the custom seat post found on the Soloist, an aero-shaped pillar with a seat clamp that can be switched from the standard backset position to a fast-forward aero position, effectively making the seat-tube angle steeper and moving your riding position into one that can properly support a clip-on aero-bar set-up. My first rides on the Soloist were in the “classic” set-up, with the seat backset and the top tube stretched out to resemble the geometry and fit of a traditional road bike. This fit felt familiar and not unlike many other quality road bikes I’ve enjoyed in the past. Though the compact geometry did compromise the appearance of classic styling, that is no real loss in my books.

Out-of-the-saddle acceleration and steep climbs were its forte, with the rigidity afforded by the massive wing down tube translating into an impressive display of speed with little more than a whisper of downward force on the pedals. As the kilometres were racked up, I did wince at the behest of my beaten back, realizing the abuse that comes from a seat post simply unwilling to flex. Good bike shorts and some hardened endurance skills were relied on during my longer rides, but for shorter rides (less than two hours), the Soloist was a splendid companion whether I was on my own or out in a group. Descents were stable, and the Ritchey Aero wheelset was extremely rigid, making short work of fast corners. Furthermore, predictable handling and general stability were enjoyed no matter what the conditions.

When I turned the seat forward, things definitely changed-more so than I expected. By positioning the seat forward and installing an aero bar, the bike changed from a mild-mannered day-tripper into a speed freak that I could barely contain. Long, flat, lonely roads blurred by me faster than I expected; since I’d ridden the same roads on the same bike just days before, I knew this bike configuration was faster. Leaning into the wind, I found the bike comfortable enough to stay in an aero position for extended periods of time. While the downhill stability was compromised slightly, it was not so dramatic as to instill any sort of fear.

In a triathlon situation, the Soloist could certainly provide a great deal faster time than a standard road bike could deliver. Overall, Cervelo did a great job of combining these two identities in one bike. However, the fact remains that it still wasn’t quite as fast as a true tri-bike (but it sure was faster than a regular road bike), and it wasn’t quite as comfortable as a true road bike (but it sure was more comfortable than a regular tri-bike). If you are someone who trains or rides on the road and races in multisport events, and you can’t cough up the dough for two bikes, the Soloist is ideal. For roadies or triathletes looking to expand their horizons, here’s a multipurpose option that can provide the best of both worlds.