Cervélo Soloist review in our 2025 road bike comparison test

The Cervélo Soloist promises to blend the best qualities of the climbing-focused R5 and the aerodynamic S5, positioning itself as a versatile all-rounder within Cervélo’s road portfolio and our review. But can it impress in a direct comparison with the hottest bikes of the year and strike a balance between aero and climbing prowess? We’re here to find out.

Combining the climbing DNA of the R5 with the aerodynamic features of the S5, the Cervélo Soloist is designed for ambitious amateurs who want a versatile all-rounder. Despite stepping down from the WorldTour spotlight and forgoing a top-tier groupset and uncompromising aero design, it still aims to impress. Our race bike comparison test will reveal whether it can deliver competitive performance without a strict focus on weight or high-end components – and just how much true racing potential lies within this radically everyday-friendly setup.

A versatile all-round racer with all-road capabilities: The Cervélo Soloist in detail

The Cervélo Soloist aims to be the ideal compromise for riders seeking a balanced blend of all-round race performance and comfort. Positioned as Cervélo’s versatile all-round racer, the Soloist sits between the R5 and S5 in terms of aerodynamics, and yet is lighter than the S5, embracing the trend towards multi-purpose machines without overshadowing the brand’s more specialised models — we’ll dive into the precise differences in a separate story. This places the Soloist in the sweet spot: a bike that can handle a variety of disciplines, with a stronger racing edge than the all-road-focused Caledonia. The generous tire clearance, however, allows the Soloist to deliver comfort on rougher surfaces and long rides too.

Visually, the Cervélo Soloist takes cues from the Caledonia and R5, leaning on understated aero elements that aren’t as aggressive as those of the S5. Its sleek frame design ensures a classic aero look without sacrificing the bike’s subtle appeal. The only drawback? During testing, we noticed a slight creak coming from the seatpost.

Size	48	51	54	56	58	61
Top tube	516 mm	532 mm	548 mm	565 mm	581 mm	598 mm
Head tube	86 mm	106 mm	130 mm	156 mm	184 mm	211 mm
Head angle	71°	72°	73°	73°	73°	73°
Seat angle	73°	73°	73°	73°	73°	73°
Chainstay	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm
BB Drop	74.5 mm	74.5 mm	72 mm	72 mm	69.5 mm	69.5 mm
Wheelbase	972 mm	974 mm	977 mm	994 mm	1.011 mm	1.028 mm
Reach	363 mm	374 mm	383 mm	392 mm	401 mm	410 mm
Stack	491 mm	515 mm	540 mm	565 mm	590 mm	615 mm

Built to work, not for show: The spec of the Bike

Without a top-tier groupset, the Cervélo Soloist in review weighs in at 7.72 kg in a size 56, which makes it one of the heavier bikes in this test field, second only to the Falkenjagd Aristos RSR. However, at € 7,199, the Cervélo Soloist is also the most affordable competitor. This makes it € 1,100 cheaper than the Lapierre Xelius, and places it a whopping € 5,200 below the average price of € 12,400 in this group test. Cervélo chose not to equip the Soloist with top-end components, with the aim of keeping costs down while at the same time ensuring reliability in day-to-day training. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM Force drivetrain, which is reliable but also a bit slower than some of the high-end options in this comparison.

The 25 mm wide Reserve 40|44 wheelset is paired with 29 mm Vittoria Corsa Next tires, which provide plenty of comfort and grip, even on rough and wet asphalt. The Reserve wheels are optimised to the Turbulent Aero Test Standard, and designed to provide ideal aerodynamics at realistic yaw angles. The semi-integrated cable routing makes it easy to adjust the two-piece cockpit, although this is less aerodynamic than the one-piece cockpits of other bikes in this test and adds to the Soloist’s understated aesthetic.

Solo or in the pack: Cervélo Soloist in review

With the Cervélo Soloist, the Rari Racing Team has a true all-rounder on board, which blends the aero qualities of the S5 with the climbing DNA of the R5. Whether on solo training rides, fast group sessions, or in the peloton, the Soloist aims to perform across the board. Yet, as the pace ramps up, it tends to fall behind in direct comparison. While it accelerates well at lower speeds, it feels noticeably heavier and less lively than the S-Works Tarmac SL8 and the Trek Madone SLR 9. In high-speed scenarios, for example, when sprinting, it lacks the punch and top-end speed of pure aero race bikes like the BMC Teammachine R01, which rely on a more aggressive geometry.

The Soloist’s geometry is closely modelled on the R5, striking a balanced mix of sportiness and comfort. Compared to more aggressive race bikes like the Wilier Filante SLR, it has a more relaxed riding position, which favours comfort over top speed and efficiency. Against a bike like the Lapierre Xelius DRS 9.0, it feels less agile on climbs, though its longer 994 mm wheelbase (in size M) and 29 mm tires keep it stable and composed at high speeds.

Cornering reveals a bit of flex in the fork and seat stays, slightly affecting stability, though the handling remains precise, allowing confident cornering. As an all-rounder, the Soloist performs well but lacks the razor-sharp responsiveness of BMC and Lapierre models.

While it holds up in terms of aerodynamics, it still noticeably lags behind the Canyon Aeroad and even the Lapierre Xelius DRS. Much like the Falkenjagd Aristos RSR, it tends to lose efficiency at high speeds, where a deeper wheelset and a different cockpit could help.

Cornering reveals a bit of flex in the fork and seat stays, slightly affecting stability, though the handling remains precise, allowing confident cornering. As an all-rounder, the Soloist performs well but lacks the razor-sharp responsiveness of BMC and Lapierre models. While it holds up in terms of aerodynamics, it still noticeably lags behind the Canyon Aeroad and even the Lapierre Xelius DRS. Much like the Falkenjagd Aristos RSR, it tends to lose efficiency at high speeds, where a deeper wheelset and a different cockpit could help.

The wide tires and subtle rear-end compliance provide comfort on rough tarmac, enabling longer rides without excessive fatigue – though bikes like the Trek Madone SLR 9 or S-Works Tarmac SL8 are even more comfortable. This comes at a slight expense of stiffness, placing the Soloist below the Wilier Filante SLR but above the Falkenjagd Aristos RSR in terms of overall rigidity. The two-piece cockpit ensures good grip and sufficient control on descents, though the semi-integrated cable routing under the bar tape makes it less ergonomic than pricier one-piece carbon cockpits.

In direct comparison, the Cervélo Soloist doesn’t deliver the uncompromising race feel of top-tier bikes. And yet, for ambitious amateurs, it offers a compelling option for everyday training with its sporty geometry and generous tire clearance. Even in challenging conditions, its an excellent option thanks to the versatile character and the possibility of fitting wider tires.

Tuning-Tipp: One-Piece-Carbon-Cockpit

What racer is the Cervélo Soloist for?

The Cervélo Soloist is aimed at ambitious hobbyists and emerging riders who want a fast road bike without sacrificing comfort and versatility. While it doesn’t compete in the same price league as other bikes in the test field, and doesn’t match them in terms of sheer performance either, it handles every type of terrain reliably. Thanks to its conservative geometry and adjustable riding position, it offers a comfortable ride – whether in fast sprints, long mountain stages, or relaxed tours. Though it lacks extreme aero efficiency and explosive acceleration, it makes up for it with its competitive price and versatile character, which make it a great companion for riders seeking a dependable bike for training and racing.

Conclusions about the Cervélo Soloist review

Cervélo position the Soloist as a versatile, comfortable race bike, leaving specialised racing machines to the pros at WorldTour level. For ambitious riders who aren’t chasing every last second, the Soloist offers an ideal blend of features, proving itself in both training and amateur racing – without the uncompromising stiffness of a thoroughbred pro racer. In our comparison test, however, it lags behind lighter and faster bikes, particularly when maximum performance is the goal.

For more information visit Cervélo.com.

The test field

This bike was tested as part of the 2024 race bike comparison test – an overview of this comparison test and all other tested race bikes can be found here:

All bikes in review: BMC Teammachine R 01 | Canyon Aeroad CFR | Cervelo Soloist | Falkenjagd Aristos RSR | Lapierre Xelius DRS 9.0 | Specialized Tarmac SL8 | Trek Madone SLR 9 | Wilier Filante SLR

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Words: Jan Fock Photos: Jan Richter