Nicola Rutzou
US brand Cervélo has officially launched the not-so-secret new S5 to coincide with their superstar rider Jonas Vingegaard aiming to win his third Tour de France aboard the new bike.
The new model was spotted last month at the Critérium du Dauphiné, ridden by Vingegaard and in second place.
Cervélo says the new bike is over 6 Watts faster than its predecessor, 124 grams lighter, and retains the handling, poise, and stability that riders everywhere love. The most significant changes are at the front, where the key aerodynamic performance comes from.
The fork legs and head tube are deeper, and the all-new, one-piece handlebar/stem builds on the original V-stem concept. Cervélo and Reserve co-developed the new Reserve 57|64 Turbulent Aero wheels for use in the S5 frame. The offset of the wheels matches the asymmetry of the S5 seat tube. This ensures that air flows smoothly over the entire bike. Cervélo says this approach makes them incredibly stable, even in crosswinds.
To make it aero, the dimension at the hoods is 4cm narrower than in the drops (e.g. 38cm/42cm). This approach helps riders maintain a more aero body position while their hands are on the hoods, and provides stability in the drops for descending and sprinting. Cervélo says that all the bar sizes are UCI-legal, even in light of the recent regulation changes.
The Cervélo S5 is available in five specifications, all featuring dual-sided power meters, starting from the Ultegra Di2 or SRAM AXS models for $13,800.
Bicycling Australia will soon receive a test model, and our review will be featured in the magazine’s November/December issue.
Nicola Rutzou – a long-time contributor and, most recently, the editor of Bicycling Australia. Nicola is a keen Sydney-based road cyclist who writes reviews, news, and destination pieces, as well as the weekly e-newsletter for BA online.
