Cervélo S5 review

Fans of classic frame shapes will probably struggle with the looks of Cervélo’s S5 model. And yet, the message is clear: ‘screw the rules, we want speed!’. But does the Cervélo just look fast? To find out we put the S5 through its paces.

This bike is part of a previous group test. Here you’ll find the latest GRAN FONDO race bike group test.

The moment we pulled the Cervélo S5 out of its box a murmur went through the entire office. The radical style of the bike is both unique and polarising and has split opinions from the very beginning. Thank god our colleagues at our MTB sister-magazine don’t have a clue 😉 … we’ll just keep celebrating the massive logo, futuristic cockpit and the tucked frame design all by ourselves.

Everything on this bike is so different. Love it or hate it, the look alone is very polarising. Personally, we love the badass aero style!

We especially like the design of the faired fork, which is hinged at either end of the head tube. The attachment has some similarities to a dual crown fork like on a mountain bike, though the mixed carbon/aluminium construction here is nigh on seamless, with the whole front end looking like it is carved from a single block. But such a degree of perfection doesn’t come without its problems: according to some rumours, mechanics are having troubles assembling exactly this part of the bike… luckily we don’t have to worry about this today. The harmonious choice of components includes a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170 groupset and ENVE SES Disc 5.6 wheels, lovingly combined with an in-house SP20 seat post and Cervélo cockpit. With Continental’s GP 4000 S II tires and a Bar Fly Garmin mount the bike weighs in at 7.57 kg in size 56. If you want to take the Cervélo home with you, you have to write a cheque out for over € 10,999 first.

The Cervélo S5 in detail

Drivetrain Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170 2 x 11
Gearing 52/36T und 11–30T
Brakes Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9170 160/160 mm
Seatpost Cervélo SP20 20 mm Setback
Stem Cervélo CS28 V-Stem 120 mm
Handlebars Cervélo AB08 420 mm
Wheels ENVE SES 5,6 Disc
Tires Continental GP 4000 SII 25C

**Perfect implementation**
Despite the mix of materials, the transition between the frame and the fully-integrated cockpit is very harmonious. Cables? Which cables?

**Two is better than one**
The headtube of the Cervélo follows the concept of double-crown mountain bike forks.

**Chunky**
Despite the burly bottom bracket area, the torsional stiffness in the rear-end can’t match the super stiff front. At least there’s enough room to squeeze in a Di2 battery.

**TT DNA**
You can put the bottle cage in different positions.

The geometry of the Cervélo S5

Size	48	51	54	56	58
Seat tube	480 mm	510 mm	540 mm	560 mm	580 mm
Top tube	513 mm	535 mm	550 mm	565 mm	581 mm
Head tube	71 mm	112 mm	134 mm	155 mm	182 mm
Head angle	71.0°	72.0°	72.0°	73.5°	73.5°
Seat angle	73°	73°	73°	73°	73°
Chainstay	405 mm	405 mm	405 mm	405 mm	405 mm
BB Drop	72.5 mm	72.5 mm	70.0 mm	70.0 mm	67.5 mm
Wheelbase	973 mm	974 mm	975 mm	982 mm	999 mm
Reach	367 mm	376 mm	384 mm	392 mm	401 mm
Stack	496 mm	519 mm	542 mm	565 mm	588 mm

The Cervélo S5 in test

As long as you stay seated the Cervélo S5 is extremely efficient when accelerating and climbing. But once you get out of the saddle for sprinting, the lateral stiffness in the rear-end can’t quite match the extremely stiff front. The Cervélo copes very well with speed. The compact riding position allows for consistent pressure on the front wheel and, together with the stiff frame, ensures precise and direct handling.

**Tuning tip** Tires with cotton carcass for more comfort and better grip

**Helmet** POC Ventral SPIN | **Glasses** Oakley Wind Jacket | **Jersey** ASSOS Mille GT Summer LS | **Bibs** ASSOS T.Équipe Evo | **Socks** FINGERSCROSSED HELL YEAH | **Shoes** Specialized S-Works 7

Despite being very sensitive to steering inputs, the S5 remains predictable even in tight corners, provided you’re riding on smooth tarmac. Considering that its short wheelbase of 982 mm – the shortest in the test field in fact – puts the Cervélo on the agile end of the handling scale, the S5’s straight-line tracking is absolutely fine. Unfortunately, the aerodynamic design of the frame comes at the expense of comfort.

The degree of compliance in the frame and seat post is minimal and,
together with the stiff ENVE wheels and direct front-end, causes the tires to lose grip on rougher surfaces. This means that if you carry too much speed into bumpy corners you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. In these scenarios experienced riders will benefit from the direct handling of the bike to make quick and playful corrections. Beginners, on the other hand, will struggle to handle the extraordinary speed of the Canadian rocket.

Conclusion

The Cervélo S5 is unreasonable. Unreasonably fast and unreasonably direct. Experienced racers will enjoy riding this loose cannon and carving corners on it, no matter how tight they are. But if you’re still a bit wet behind the ears you have to get used to the sheer speed of the bike first. As a thoroughbred racer, the S5 belongs on a spotless race-track surface. And what about the style? We’ve dubbed it the marmite-racer, you’ll either love it or you’ll hate it! Meanwhile, we raise our glasses to the Cervélo S5!

Tops

High level of integration
Very direct handling
Badass aero-look

Flops

Mismatched front/rear-end lateral-stiffness
Lack of comfort

Fore more info head to: cervelo.com

This bike is part of a previous group test. Here you’ll find the latest GRAN FONDO race bike group test.

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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl