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When the Cervelo Caledonia launched last summer it caught a lot people’s attention, not least because within a bike brand full of more functional, business-like model names such as S5, R5, P-Series and R-Series the model name ‘Caledonia’ immediately stood out as something different; did this name hint at a road bike that was less about performance and more about freedom and versatility? Our curiosity had been piqued…
The Cervelo Caledonia actually gets its name from a street in Toronto, Canada which sees Cervelo’s head office staff riding out on their weekly after-work group ride. It turns out those social rides were fairly typical of how a large proportion of us are increasingly riding our road bikes; cycling on the road is not all about performance and an endless hunt for more speed, nowadays it’s about riding socially with friends, seeking out new café stops, exploring new terrain and not flinching when the roads change from smooth tarmac to rough back lanes and even small stretches of gravel road. This ethos has been helped in no small part by the advent of disc brakes on road bikes which have significantly increased tyre clearance opening up the option of running larger volume tyres that can handle rougher terrain. Better brakes, more capable tyres, sophisticated carbon fibre construction and carefully considered frame geometry have all contributed to producing the sort of versatile, user-friendly road bikes that we probably should have been riding all along.
So as we’ve established the Caledonia doesn’t fit in a box nicely, it was conceived on Cervelo’s Thursday night rides on routes that often play fast and loose with the ‘road ride’ terminology. As the designers and engineers on this ride tried to stuff bigger tires into their R5 road bikes or streamline their Aspero gravel bikes the realisation that they needed a totally new kind of road bike became too obvious to ignore. Calling on their existing library of tube shapes that have been proven on a wide range of other Cervelo models the designers were able to duplicate the qualities required – aerodynamic, stiff, ultralight, compliant and quickly move to the refinement process to create a bike that hit a brilliant balance point of being durable and comfortable while also being fast, aerodynamic and race-ready.
…Race-ready? Didn’t we say this was a road bike for soul-searching cyclists focused on long social rides on mixed terrain? Well, yes, but it turns out that this bike is also ready to race, should that be your fancy! Typically for a brand with such a rich racing heritage Cervelo also developed the Caledonia in collaboration with their World Tour riders to satisfy the need for a dedicated cobbles bike. If and when we see the return of the infamous Paris-Roubaix Classic road race (post-Corona Virus restrictions) don’t be surprised to see the pros from the Jumbo-Visma team opting for the Caledonia; Roubaix is harder on bikes than any other race on the calendar, and there’s zero margin for error. In direct response to pro racer feedback Cervelo increased the rear center, lowered the bottom bracket and increased fork trail; the result is a fast-handling race-ready bike with added stability.
The Cervelo Caledonia range is split into two sub-ranges of bike – the Caledonia-5 is Cervelo’s premium offering and features an integrated cockpit with fully-concealed cables through the handlebar and stem as well as a more-compliant D-shaped carbon seatpost. The Caledonia sub-range of bikes feature traditional non-integrated handlebars and stems with cables running externally until they enter the frame. The other difference is the seatpost, which in this case is a conventional round 27.2mm alloy post. Both options place lower modulus carbon in key areas to increase compliance (comfort) where you need it most, mitigating the stiffer, more brittle nature of hi-mod carbon fibre which is used elsewhere in the frame to increase the stiffness required to be fast and responsive to pedaling input.
Some fast facts…
- Caledonia-5 sub-range features fully integrated bar / stem with concealed cables
- Caledonia-5 sub-range includes D-shaped carbon seatpost
- Caledonia sub-range features conventional bar stem and external cables
- Caledonia subrange includes conventional alloy 27.2mm seatpost
- 34mm Max tyre clearance
- 31mm Max trye clearance with mudguards
- All frames feature removeable mudguard mounts
- Mounting point for top tube bag (Caledonia sub-range only)
You can find out more about each model in the Caledonia range by hitting the links below. Want to read all about the stunning Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS? Scroll down for a full write-up along with some great bike pics from our photographer James Vincent…
Cervelo Caledonia-5 Red eTap AXS
Cervelo Caledonia-5 Dura Ace Di2
Cervelo Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS
Cervelo Caledonia-5 Ultegra Di2
A closer look at the Cervelo Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS…
The Cervelo Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS road bike sits in the upper echelons of the Caledonia range of bikes with the ‘5’ in its title denoting that this model is spec’d with Cervelo’s premier frameset featuring a fully integrated cockpit along with concealed cables. The result is a cleaner, uncluttered setup which is arguably more aerodynamic, helping you to ride more efficiently over long distances (every second counts!). Designed for modern road riders as we’ve previously described, the Caledonia-5 has been constructed to handle long-distance, high-pace rides with no limits; that means it’s a bike that’s ready for unpredictable rides that have a tendency to stray away from perfectly smooth tarmac; Cervelo’s designers and engineers have created a compliant carbon frame that is both comfortable and responsive to power input and combined that technology with some very well-thought-out geometry to provide stability on rough terrain without compromising on sharp handling.
The stunning Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS with cool, cable-free looks…
The Caledonia’s clever geometry gives a stable feel without compromising on sharp handling…
The Cervelo Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS includes a D-shaped carbon seatpost that has been designed to flex when you’re in the saddle, providing enhanced compliance and comfort. The D-shaped seatpost works in unison with the Caledonia-5’s carbon fibre frameset which features dropped seatstays and a very refined carbon layup to provide more forgiveness in key areas which further aids comfort during long hours in the saddle.
Dropped seatstays and clever carbon layup add compliance where it’s needed…
The ‘5’ in the Caledonia-5 denotes the higher spec’d frameset with fully integrated handlebars and stem…
When we looked at the Caledonia range as a whole we mentioned that this model has had significant input and feedback from the pro road racing teams that are currently competing on Cervelo road bikes. Despite most of Cervelo’s marketing material reinforcing the fun, free-spirited approach to riding the Caledonia, their designers and engineers were still focused on producing a fast, efficient and aerodynamic bike that could be raced too; looking head-on at the Caledonia-5 proves just how much focus they’ve put on all things ‘aero’. This particular model is spec’d with SRAM Force eTap AXS wireless transmission so that immediately eliminates traditional gear cables, leaving only the hydraulic brake hoses to be routed through the handlebars, stem and into the frame and fork. With Cervelo’s own carbon handlebar and alloy aero stem merging seamlessly into the frame the Caledonia-5 has been designed to cut through the air more efficiently giving you an advantage regardless of whether you’re looking to knock some time off your favourite Sunday café-run or are positioning yourself to get in the break at Paris-Roubaix.
The Caledonia is not only comfortable and durable it’s pretty darn aero too!…
Clean, clutter-free cockpit featuring Cervelo’s own carbon handlebars and alloy stem…
The Caledonia-5 features fully concealed brake hoses within the integrated stem…
Clutter-free cockpit thanks to wireless shifting and hydraulic brake hoses concealed within the bars…
As the Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS’s name suggests, this particular model in the range features SRAM’s brilliant 12 speed wireless Force eTap groupset. Sitting one rung below SRAM Red eTap AXS on the groupset ladder, the Force drivetrain takes all of the technology from Red and makes it more affordable by being manufactured by slightly cheaper materials. The efficient wireless activation remains the same and is brilliantly functional as well as being user-friendly and intuitive to use.
SRAM’s popular Force eTap AXS groupset brings wireless shifting to the masses…
The wireless Force eTap AXS 12-speed rear derailleur picks up a signal from the gear shifters and changes gear precisely every time it is activated. The battery that powers its motor is neatly integrated into the derailleur and is easy to remove and charge when required; to ensure that the chain always stays in place and is never bounced off the cassette or the chainrings SRAM have included a clever Orbit fluid clutch within the body of the derailleur. Specially profiled jockey wheels and the addition of a thin flat-sided 12-speed chain further enhance the efficiency of each gear change.
SRAM’s brilliant 12-speed rear derailleur with Orbit fluid clutch…
The front derailleur is activated by pressing both the front and left gear levers together at the same time, shifting from the small ring to the big ring with one activation and then back from the big ring to the small ring the next time you press both gear levers together at the same time. This becomes pretty intuitive pretty quickly!
The Force eTap AXS front derailleur features a removeable battery for convenient recharging…
This 12-speed groupset features SRAM’s unique ‘X-range’ approach to gear ratios, created in an effort to decrease the size and weight of the drivetrain while making the jump between each gear ratio smaller for an overall more user-friendly riding experience. For the Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS Cervelo have spec’d a 48T/35T chainset combined with a 10-36T cassette to ensure that you’ll always be able to select the appropriate gear for every riding scenario.
The gear ratios of the 12-speed Force eTap AXS groupset are unique to SRAM but give you all the gears you’ll need…
The SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset also features its own power meter integrated into the chainset. Designed specifically for electronic shifting with Quarq’s premier DZero power measurement technology the spider-based power meter readings are accurate within +/1.5% and take measurements from left and right legs separately. If you were in the market for a power meter anyway this might just be the deal maker – it’s a great addition to the Force groupset by SRAM.
The Force eTap AXS includes SRAM’s own power meter integrated into the chainset…
Force eTap AXS features SRAM’s distinctive flat-topped 12-speed chain…
The Cervelo Caledonia-5 carbon frame and fork features neat flat-mounts for the SRAM hydraulic disc calipers to attach to. The overall look is compact and unobtrusive with the rear brake caliper sitting neatly within the rear triangle of the frame safe from the potential for crash damage and tucked away from airflow to help the bike remain as aerodynamic as possible. The SRAM Force calipers combined with 160mm Paceline rotors provide ample stopping power in all weather conditions and on mixed terrain.
SRAM Force flat-mount hydraulic disc-brake calipers are compact, neat and powerful…
Cervelo have worked in partnership with Reserve to spec a suitable pair of wheels for the Caledonia-5. A bike that’s this fast and versatile, which is going to encourage its riders to push the boundaries more and more needs a durable but lightweight, fast-rolling wheelset. The Reserve 35 wheelset has been designed to be a mile-munching pair of wheels that are aerodynamic but with a rim profile that’s not too deep so that you still get quick, predictable handling on your most challenging rides. Reserve have produced carbon rims with a 21mm internal rim width to allow you to run tyres from 25mm wide up to 35mm wide with a bead hook that allows you to set up your tyres tubeless should you want to.
Cervelo have spec’d a pair of light but durable Reserve DT370 centre lock, XDR drive wheels…
Cervelo’s Reserve wheelset feature versatile tubeless-ready carbon rims capable of taking tyres from 25mm to 35mm…
To finish off the Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS road bike Cervelo have spec’d a Prologo Dimension saddle which is a great choice for a bike of this type. Prologo describe this particular model as a saddle that’s suitable for all disciplines and is perfect for men and women. Reflecting a trend we are seeing more and more of from most saddle brands as well as own-brand saddles from the larger bike manufactures the Dimension is relatively short with a short nose (35mm less than a traditional saddle) and a slightly wider profile (143mm wide) to allow for better pelvis support, making it ideal for long hours in the saddle.
A Prologo Dimension saddle is ergonomic and features a short nose…
Designed to be supportive for longer the Prologo Dimension is well suited to this type of road bike…
The comprehensive Cervelo Caledonia range of bikes provides plenty of choice in terms of integration / non-integration, componentry and budget so you should be able to find a particular option to suit you and the type of riding that you want to do. The Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS is a brilliant option within that range, with a lightweight fully-integrated frame, fork, stem and handlebar setup, a wireless electronic groupset with the addition of a power meter and a pair of lightweight but durable carbon wheels. Ten years ago if we were selling a high-end carbon fibre road bike, we would invariably be selling an out-and-out race bike which, although very popular, was not always perfectly suited to the needs of a keen non-racing cyclist. The Caledonia reflects just how much the bike industry has come in terms of listening to customers and the wider cycling community; this bike has been designed and constructed specifically to enhance our enjoyment of riding in the real world, on epic all-day adventures where the freedom to find new more challenging terrain with friends is more important than race results and performance stats.
The Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS is representative of all that’s good with modern road bikes…
The Cervelo Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS is available in store and on our website now….
Written by Johnny Dodgin
Caledonia-5 Force eTap AXS photos by James Vincent
The Cervelo Caledonia-5 just scored 4.5 out 5 stars in a Cyclingnews review; after a six month long-term test they deemed the Caledonia-5 to be ‘the one bike to it all’. Read the full review by clicking the link below…
