S5 Disc Ultegra Di2 Road Bike

Since the introduction of the first generation Cervelo S5, aerodynamics and ride quality have been driving the design towards a “system thinking” approach, pushing boundaries of flat-out racing speed from a frame that also felt comfortable to ride. Today’s Cervelo S5 road bike is the result of nearly a decade of frame evolution to produce what may be the fastest aero road bike on the market that is also ergonomically shaped for superior racing comfort.

When comparing the stunning silhouette of the current-gen S5 to its predecessor — or any other partially externally routed road bike for that matter — you can’t help but notice the exceptionally crisp lines, free of cable clutter and stem bolts. Cervelo focused heavily on redefining aerodynamics for the road bike market. Starting with seeking out solutions for internal routing, they’ve developed a carbon bar and stem integration that fully houses brake and shifting cables into a reshaped front end that contributes to savings of 45 grams compared to the previous S5. That’s a claimed 5.5 watts of energy savings…a result that should be considered a crowing success given that the industry may be nearing the edge of meaningful aerodynamic advancements.

Cervelo is direct when stating the S5 is designed for sprinters, and while the exceptional aerodynamics reflect that aim, the stiffened bottom bracket does as well. Using Cervelo’s BBright oversized bottom bracket design, but with added lateral integrity, the S5 gains a 25% increase in stiffness over the previous generation without incurring any weight penalty. Add to that the Ceramic Speed 24 bottom bracket, and you have a pedaling platform that works to savor every watt you put into it for improved energy transfer to the pedals.

Going back to the frontend of the S5, which of course has also been stiffened by 13%, you’ll find Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 shifting and hydraulic braking levers. Sacrificing little to the Dura-Ace line, the Ultegra offers some of the best hood shapes available and powerful brakes with a high degree of modulation that you’ll need for late-breaking corners or in case it gets a bit hairy in the dash for the line. A semi-compact front-gearing setup with a climbing friendly cassette work to bus sprinters over the hills in close enough contact to contest the final sprint. And the carbon Reserve 50mm tubeless rims provide a swift wheel depth for straight-line speed without losing the wheels in the heavy crosswind echelons on the ride.

• Out-and-out carbon racing bike designed for top sprinting speed
• Fully reshaped front-end with internal routing and drag reduction
• Stiffer bottom bracket area for beefed up lateral pedaling stability
• Fits 28mm tires for improved rolling resistance on rough roads
• Ceramic Speed 24 bottom bracket echos prioritizing speed and efficiency
• Ultegra Di2 and hydraulic disc braking are race-ready workhorses
• Tubeless ready wheels and tires for riders ready to make the jump