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FAST BIKE FRIDAY – CERVELO R5 DISC

Cervelo R5 Disc 2021

This week our Fast Bike Friday feature focuses on not one but two Fast Bikes! The Cervelo R5 Disc is an amazingly superlight carbon road bike and is recognised as one of the best handling bikes available, providing responsive steering without being skittish; the R5 comes in a number of different specification options, today we’re looking at the brilliantly spec’d Force eTap AXS and Ultegra Di2 models. But before we get into the specifics of both bikes lets take a more detailed look at the Cervelo R5 Disc’s carbon chassis…

The latest version of the R5 features a frameset that Cervelo have engineered to be stiffer than its predecessor without any increase in weight; this added stiffness means an increase in pedaling efficiency and a bike that responds quickly when you stand up to sprint. Through some very sophisticated carbon layup and construction techniques Cervelo have managed to balance that stiffness with a welcome amount of compliance in the right parts of the frame to increase comfort, which is particularly appreciated during long hours in the saddle; a carbon seatpost with a d-shaped profile further enhances comfort. The other factor that gives the R5 Disc such great ride quality is the frame’s geometry; there’s a low bottom bracket to give a stable, confidence-inspiring feel. This stability is sensitively complimented by just the right amount of responsiveness from the R5’s sharp steering for a road bike that feels equally alive at your local weekly crit race as it does stable and predictable on long all-day rides over mixed terrain.

The Cervelo R5 Disc features a brilliantly engineered carbon frame and fork offering a magic mix of stiffness and comfort…

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS 2021

Cervelo have billed the R5 Disc as a lightweight carbon road bike designed to excel at flying up the hills, but dig a little deeper into their own technical blurb and you’ll quickly find that flat out speed and aerodynamic performance have also been a serious consideration when designing and constructing the R5. Cervelo have applied their Squoval Max technology to the R5 frame; as the name suggests they’ve have created a library of carbon tube shapes that combine the attributes of a square and oval (hence Squoval) to produce a tube profile with a more aerodynamic leading edge; these tube profiles are not only more aerodynamic but are actually stiffer and shed more weight than conventionally profiled tubes.

As we’ve already highlighted, the R5 Disc is a nicely-balanced bike which is equally capable of undertaking epic day-long rides in the mountains or racing flat-out crits thanks to its stiff, responsive properties, its compliance and its stability thanks to that nice low bottom bracket. With a further acknowledgement of the R5 Disc’s road racing pedigree Cervelo have used their Pro Road Fit design principle to produce one of the lowest frame stack heights on any of their road bikes; there’s little or no point in having an aero-efficient road bike if its rider is sat bolt-up-right catching the wind. Pro Road Fit puts you in a more aerodynamic riding position which you can fine tune to suit your own preferred fit, but the headline here is if you intend to race the R5 finding an aggressive racing position is easy to achieve.

The Cervleo R5 Disc is a perfect all-rounder being light, stiff, responsive, comfortable AND aero…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

So that’s the Cervelo R5 Disc’s amazing carbon chassis, now let’s take a quick look at the exact specification of the two models we’re looking at today. We’ll start with the Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS; if you want to fast-track to the Ultegra Di2 equipped model just scroll further down the feature…

SRAM Force eTap AXS has been THE road groupset to have in recent times, and for good reason…

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS 2021

SRAM’s 12 speed wireless rear derailleur provides, crisp, precise gear shifts. That unique flat-profile chain and the derailleur’s Orbit fluid clutch help to keep everything smooth and efficient… 

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap 2021

The wireless SRAM Force front derailleur features a quick-charging battery and provides smooth gear changes even when you’re putting down the power out of the saddle…

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS 2021

The SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD 12 speed shifters are ergonomic and instinctive to use; shift up the block with one lever and down the block with the other. Press them both together and you shift the front derailleur, either down to the small chainring or up to the big chainring depending on where your chain is located when you press both shifters together…

Cervelo R5 Disc eTap AXS 2021

With stiff, responsive steering in mind and keeping weight to a minimum Cervelo have spec’d their own carbon handle bars and stem…

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS 2021

Lightweight, fast-rolling and aero – everything you need from a pair of wheels. These Reserve carbon wheels feature an aero-efficient 50mm depth and durable DT Swiss hubs…

Cervelo R5 Disc eTap AXS 2021

Both the Reserve wheels and the Vittoria Corsa 25c tyres are tubeless-ready if you’re thinking of making the switch. The R5 Disc’s frame and fork have more than enough clearance for 28mm wide tyres…

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS 2021

The Cervelo R5’s D-Post has been designed specifically to flex a little to enhance compliance…

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS 2021

Built to excel on the hills and cut through the air efficiently, with the addition of SRAM’s wireless Force eTap AXS groupset and powerful hydraulic disc brakes the R5 is a modern classic peppered liberally with cutting-edge technology…

Cervelo R5 Disc eTap AXS 2021

Cervelo R5 Disc Force eTap AXS £7,750.00

Full Specification:

  • Frame: Cervelo R5 All-Carbon
  • Fork: Cervelo R5 All-Carbon, Tapered R5 Fork for Disc
  • Shift Levers: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD 12 x Speed
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force eTap AXS 12 x Speed
  • Cassette: SRAM Force 12s XG1270, 10-28T
  • Chainset : SRAM Force AXS 48/35T
  • Brakes: SRAM Force HRD, SRAM Paceline 160mm
  • Wheels: Reserve 50mm DT370 XDR, 20h (F), 24h ®, 21mm IW, Centre-Lock, Tubeless Ready
  • Front Tyre: Vittoria Corsa TLR G 25c
  • Rear Tyre: Vittoria Corsa TLR G 25c
  • Stem: Cervelo C026 Carbon
  • Handle Bars: Cervelo AB06 Carbon
  • Seat Post: Cervelo SP18 Carbon D-Post
  • Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo R5

 

Now let’s look at the Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 specification…

The Ultegra Di2 spec’d model gives you an efficient 11-speed electronic drivetrain which operates flawlessly… 

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

It’s so compact that you have to look twice to realise that this Ultegra rear derailleur is actually a Di2 electronic model…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Both the front and rear derailleur shift precisely and consistently regardless of riding conditions…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifters are simple and instinctive to use, you can even customise exactly how you want them to operate, with numerous options on what button does what…

Cervelo R5 Ultegra Di2 2021

This generation of Ultegra Di2 let’s you conveniently charge the system’s battery from the end of the handle bars…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Cervelo’s own carbon handle bar and stem keeps things aero and superlight…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

The Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic wires are neatly routed through the stem and into the frame…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Deep 50mm Reserve carbon rims are aerodynamic and help you hold your speed…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Durable DT Swiss straight-pull hubs mean less spokes are required to build a strong wheel and help to keep the overall weight down…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Both the Reserve’s rims and the the Vittoria Corsa tyres are tubeless ready, so if you want to set them up tubeless you’re all set…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Cervelo’s own D-Post has been designed to flex a little and will help to keep you comfortable when you’re in the saddle…

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

The Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 is a brilliantly spec’d road bike with a super-efficient electronic groupset, aerodynamic carbon wheels and a carbon frame and fork that has been engineered to excel in the hills during long days in the saddle… 

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 2021

Cervelo R5 Disc Ultegra Di2 £7,750.00

Full Specification:

  • Frame: Cervelo R5 All-Carbon
  • Fork: Cervelo R5 All-Carbon, Tapered R5 Fork for Disc
  • Shift Levers: Shimano Ultegra Di2 8070 11-Speed
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 8050 11-Speed
  • Cassette: Shimano Ultegra CS-R8000, 11-Speed, 11-30T
  • Chainset : Shimano Ultegra 8000 52/36T
  • Brakes: Shimano Ultegra 8070 Hydraulic Disc, Shimano SM-RT8000, 160mm
  • Wheels: Reserve 50mm DT370, 20h (F), 24h ®, 21mm IW, Centre-Lock, Tubeless Ready
  • Front Tyre: Vittoria Corsa TLR G 25c
  • Rear Tyre: Vittoria Corsa TLR G 25c
  • Stem: Cervelo C026 Carbon
  • Handle Bars: Cervelo AB06 Carbon
  • Seat Post: Cervelo SP18 Carbon D-Post
  • Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo R5

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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