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

Frameset - The P2C is also available as a frameset

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.

This is what we did:

1. A new rearwheel cutout shape, the first cutout of this type to take advantage of the opportunities of carbon fiber. 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 seattube 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 P3C is another step beyond when it comes to covered area, as we pulled the cutout further around the rear wheel with that design.

2. The front triangle from the P3C 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.

3. 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).

    

4. Cable routing through ICS Internal CableStops and horizontal dropouts for a tight rearwheel cutout are obvious “must-haves” for the P2C.

So how good is the P2C? Consider that it has quickly become the frame of choice for professional riders who want to ride a Cervélo but whose teams won't allow them to ride something as obvious as a P3C. And although nobody would have noticed because it was not labeled a Cervélo, it was even used in the 2006 Tour de France, barely three months after its introduction.