Cervélo launches its fourth iteration of the R5 today, a lightweight climber promising improved aerodynamics with dialled back head tube stiffness and a refined fork. The new R5 comes in four different models and ranges in price from £8,299 to £11,699, whilst a frameset costs £4,499.
The R5 will come in a range of different builds with a choice of SRAM Red eTap AXS, SRAM Force eTap AXS or Shimano’s new 12-speed groupsets, Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 and Ultegra Di2 R8170.
A popular modern classic, the R-series has been winning pro races since 2003 and has roots going back nearly 20 years.
2022 Cervélo R5: Stiffer, squishier, lighter, aero-er
Reducing stiffness in a climbing bike might seem slightly outlandish but Cervélo has dived right in with the new R5.
The fork has been refined with dialled back longitudinal stiffness, the head tube stiffness has also been reduced and compliance has been added by dropping the top tube.
Compared to the previous generation R5, Cervélo’s stiffest ever road frame and whose climbing abilities ‘came at the expense of a bit of bone-jarring’, the newly refined R5 not only promises efficient and fast climbing but also ‘less fatigue and more effective recovery’.
According to Cervélo, Tom Dumoulin has been the prime candidate for testing the new R5 and ‘loves it’ whilst Primož Roglič has said ‘it’s good’.
The new R5 frameset benefits from a claimed 16% weight reduction, making it 130g lighter than the previous model.
It weighs in at just over 1kg, with the new frame at 703g and new fork at 329g.
And Cervélo hasn’t stopped the trim there. The handlebar and stem have apparently shed 12g and the seatpost is 20g lighter too.
Cervélo says that even though aerodynamics weren’t a focus for the new R5 (like they would be for the S5 and P5), the cables are now internal, reducing drag by a claimed 25g.
According to the brand, all of this combines to make the R5 ‘faster in every direction’.
2022 Cervélo R5 geometry
The new R5’s geometry isn’t anything out of the ordinary for a race bike.
Reach and stack for a size 54cm are 380mm and 547mm respectively while head tube angles range from 71 to 73 degrees across the size range.
A notable feature is the increased tyre clearance of 34mm, compared with 30mm in the previous model.
The R5 range comes in five black and lime/black whilst the frameset is also offered as a Jumbo-Visma replica.
Sizes range from 48cm to 61cm.
Cervélo R5 specs, prices and availability
Cervélo R5 Red eTap AXS
- Frameset: Carbon
- Groupset: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD 12-speed
- Wheels: Reserve DT240 XDR
- Availability: Likely end of 2021
- Price: £11,699 / $12,000 / €11,999
Cervélo R5 Force eTap AXS
- Frameset: Carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD 12-speed
- Wheels: Reserve DT370 XDR
- Availability: Likely end of 2021
- Price: £8,599 / $8,400 / €8,799
Cervélo R5 Dura Ace Di2
- Frameset: Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 12-speed
- Wheels: Reserve DT240
- Availability: Likely end of 2021
- Price: £11,699 / $12,000 / €11,999
Cervélo R5 Ultegra Di2
- Frameset: Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 12-speed
- Wheels: Reserve DT370
- Availability: Likely end of 2021
- Price: £8,299 / $8,700 / €8,299
Cervélo R5 Frameset
- Frameset: Carbon
- Availability: Likely end of 2021
- Price: £4,499 / $5,000