Pro bike: Dan Martin’s Cervelo S3

Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) had major goals heading into this year’s Giro d’Italia. With exceptional form just ahead of the start in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and having grown up just a few hours away, he was a huge hometown favourite.

Fans were trying to pry open the doors of the team bus just to catch a glimpse of him. It all went wrong during the open team trial though, and the Cervélo S3 that he would have used for this year’s road stages sadly won’t see any use.

While Garmin-Sharp riders have a range of Cervélo frame models to choose from, team mechanic Geoff Brown tells BikeRadar that the S3 is far and away the most popular choice. According to Brown, riders appreciate the bike’s aerodynamic shape but also the smoother ride and more versatile handling as compared to the more extreme S5 model.

That versatility is reflected in the frame’s design. Deep cross-sections are used throughout the main frame and fork blades but the seat stays are comparatively tiny. Down below, meaty chain stays and an extra-wide BBright bottom bracket shell with bulbous adjoining tubes promise excellent power transfer.

The build kit is all business. Highlights include a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 transmission (but with no supplemental shift buttons), speedy 40mm deep Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 carbon tubular wheels, a stiff Rotor 3D+ hollow-machined aluminium crankset with a solid spider and solid outer chainring, and an all-aluminium cockpit from 3T with a traditional bend and a thin, single layer of grippy tape.

Martin would have sat upon a fi’zi:k Antares saddle with a carbon fibre shell and hollow k:ium metallic rails and, after an exceptionally long delay, the entire team is finally using Garmin’s Vector power meter pedals.

Finishing things off are a pair of Arundel Mandible carbon fibre bottle cages (with Camelbak Podium bottles), a Rotor adjustable chain catcher and press-fit bottom bracket, a Cane Creek headset, Mavic tyres (that are clearly made by someone else), and a Garmin Edge 510 computer.

Total weight is 7.78kg (17.15lb) without the computer or bottles – and without Martin’s heavy heart. Luck hasn’t been on the Irishman’s side recently but this machine will be waiting for him upon his return.

Complete bike specifications

• Frame: Cervélo S3, 54cm
• Fork: Cervélo FK42
• Headset: Cane Creek integrated, 1 1/8-to-1 3/8in tapered
• Stem: 3T ARX Team, 130mm x -17°
• Handlebar: 3T Rotundo Pro, 42cm (c-c)
• Tape: 3T
• Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000 w/ Shimano carbon-specific pads
• Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000 w/ Shimano carbon-specific pads
• Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070
• Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070
• Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070
• Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070
• Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000, 11-25T
• Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
• Crankset: Rotor 3D+, 172.5mm, 53/39T
• Bottom bracket: Rotor PressFit 4630
• Pedals: Garmin Vector
• Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 tubular
• Front tyre: ‘Mavic Yksion Grip Link’ tubular, 25mm
• Rear tyre: ‘Mavic Yksion Grip Link’ tubular, 25mm
• Saddle: fi’zi:k Antares, carbon fibre shell, k:ium rails
• Seatpost: Cervélo Aero (two-position)
• Bottle cages: Arundel Mandible (2)
• Other accessories: Garmin Edge 510 computer, Rotor adjustable chain catcher

Critical measurements

• Rider’s height: 1.76m (5ft 10in)
• Rider’s weight: 62kg (137lb)
• Saddle height from BB, c-t: 745mm
• Saddle setback: 62mm
• Seat tube length (c-t): 485mm
• Seat tube length (c-c): 470mm
• Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 567mm
• Saddle-to-bar drop: 95mm
• Head tube length: 148mm
• Top tube length (effective): 548mm
• Weight: 7.78kg (17.15lb) without computer or bottles