It’s value taking into consideration earlier than you embark in this evaluation that the Cervélo S5 is now 3 years previous, and in motorcycle construction phrases that suggests it’s almost definitely due an replace this 12 months or the following. Why hassle reviewing what would possibly quickly be an old-fashioned fashion? Smartly, in keeping with our personal wind tunnel trying out the Cervélo S5 remains to be completely one of the vital very best aero motorcycles in the marketplace. The quickest, at 0 yaw, even when put next in opposition to some distance more recent motorcycles just like the Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL8 and the Issue Ostro VAM.
It is usually nonetheless getting used on the absolute best degree of the game, and when a brand new fashion sooner or later replaces it, the older fashion will then most probably move on sale, and would possibly turn into a extra sexy proposition for a would-be buyer.
With this sort of successful document, is the Cervélo S5 one of the vital very best street motorcycles in the marketplace? Sure, completely. However that doesn’t essentially imply I believe you must purchase one. I’ve been driving the bottom tier choice, with a £9.5k/$9k asking worth, and provided with SRAM Power, an integrated energy meter, and Reserve wheels.
After a lot of miles of various terrain from flat blasts to intense, steep mountain climbing, I’m inspired in some ways, however in spite of it being demonstrably fast it’s now not a motorbike I’d in particular relish proudly owning. It could be the motorcycle of your desires although, so you can even stay scrolling and spot what is just right and what’s now not so just right.
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The Cervélo S5 undoubtedly has a particular silhouette.(Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
The cockpit appears complicated, however if truth be told it is no more difficult to paintings with than another built-in machine, with extra adjustability. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
You’ll be able to get bars as slim as 38cm, however these days I would like to look a 36 choice for a motorbike so aero. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
The handlebars sit down at the Y-stem on a curved interface, that means the bars can roll as much as 5º.(Symbol credit score: Will Jones)Design and aesthetics
In a global the place all aero motorcycles principally glance the similar, I should say it’s refreshing to have an all-out aero gadget that also has a particular glance about it. You’d be hard-pressed to search out that cockpit and that closely sculpted seat tube (if you’ll be able to even name it that) in different places. It’s now not essentially to my liking. It appears just a little too robot, compact, and relatively inelegant, however good looks is within the eye of the beholder and in the end it is a motorcycle that’s about velocity over visuals.
Up entrance it’s simple to overlook slightly how outlandish the design is. Whilst a hinged fork isn’t new it’s undoubtedly nonetheless extraordinarily abnormal, or even among time trial motorcycles it’s now not the norm. It manner the top tube is amazingly slim, essentially as it now not has to deal with bearings big enough to suit round a conventional 1 ⅛” steerer tube.
The pinnacle tube of the body itself is reasonably deep, to not slightly the stage of the loopy new Ridley Noah Rapid, but if reinforced with the exterior hinge of the fork it makes for an overly lengthy, very slim entrance finish. The fork even juts out relatively on the head tube hinge, in the similar method as the top tube at the Pinarello Dogma F or the S-Works Tarmac SL8 does.
The Y-shaped cockpit was once reasonably groundbreaking on the time, and has since been co-opted in more than a few techniques through the likes of the Bianchi Oltre and the Colnago Y1Rs. It should glance adore it provides a whopping quantity of stack to the entrance of the motorcycle, however necessarily it places the handlebars in the similar position as a conventional stem would. It’s modular, so the bars bodily bolt onto the Y-shaped struts, and as a way to alternate the width (from 38cm to 44cm in 2cm increments) you ‘just’ unbolt the bar and change a brand new one in (and do all of the hoses and cables). There’s 5º of rotation within the cockpit, because the mounting interface is gently curved, so whilst it appears extra complicated than a one-piece machine, it’s extra tunable than the cockpits of maximum race motorcycles these days.
The primary triangle is constituted of very deep, very slim tubes. At the down tube and closely curved seat tube there’s simply sufficient width to mount a bottle and less. Handily there’s a triple set of bosses at the down tube, that means should you most effective need to run one bottle you’ll be able to have it even decrease, or the upper place for a couple.
On the again finish, the curved seat tube hugs the rear wheel greater than another motorcycle I will recall to mind, earlier than veering not easy right into a near-vertical, very deep seat submit this is completely unyielding. On the base of the motorcycle, the ground bracket is hefty, nearly clearing the highest of the large ring of the chainset.
The wheels, as you’d be expecting on a motorbike this aero, are the beautiful deep Reserve 63/52 (relaxed mid-pack in aero phrases in keeping with our personal wind tunnel trying out), with a 25mm/24mm entrance/rear inner width. That is beautiful huge, particularly for a motorbike this previous, and it’s going to marvel you to listen to that the Cervélo S5 can transparent a 34mm (measured) tyre. This can be a just right factor, now not most effective as a result of we’ve proven that it’s almost definitely quicker for most of the people, but it surely’s additionally extra relaxed for what’s slightly an unforgiving journey.
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In comparison to Ultegra, SRAM Power feels just a little missing, however you do get an influence meter. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
You’ll be able to upload or take away those spacers with no need to trim a steerer in any respect. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
Truthfully I would have this bar form (in a 38cm) on each motorcycle if I may just. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
The red paint is inconspicuous, however does pop within the solar. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)Efficiency
Hopping onto the Cervélo S5 from principally another motorcycle is like switching out of your previous CRT tv to a 4k IMax film. You’re feeling completely the whole thing, most commonly via your perineum. On a normal motorcycle design, the place the seat submit is cantilevered rearwards to a some distance higher stage, the quantity of compliance it will possibly be offering is continuously the vast majority of what we recall to mind as ‘rear end comfort’. At the S5, the place the seat submit is terribly deep and necessarily vertical, there may be scant convenience presented in any respect. This would possibly not subject to the professionals, however to you it would.
It first of all had a suite of 28c Schwalbe Professional One tyres fitted, however after a few rides I swapped them out for a suite of 28c Continental GP5000 S TR, the quickest street tyre in the marketplace in keeping with our personal lab trying out. In fact, if I used to be working this motorcycle longer term I’d opt for a 30c a minimum of, if now not wider for the reason that we have confirmed that wider tyres are quicker for just about everybody. It may well take it, there’s so little problem to doing so, and it will have massive convenience implications. Thankfully the huge inner width of the edges manner the 28s plumped up smartly in the end.
Ahead of we get to the journey I if truth be told need to say I in reality just like the cockpit. Sure it appears difficult, however upon receipt of the motorcycle it had a deafeningly loud creak from someplace within the bowels of the top tube, and so I took all of it aside, regreased the whole thing, and put all of it again in combination once more with little or no fuss. You’ll be able to alter the spacer stack too with no need to chop your steerer, which really is an advantage should you like to clutter round along with your have compatibility. Sure, routing the hoses could also be a nightmare, but it surely’s a nightmare on any built-in cockpit. A minimum of right here you get some adjustability. Greater than that, the bar form is sensible, with an attractive lengthy ultimate segment to the drops for clinging onto whilst impersonating a diesel educate along with your nostril within the wind.
Anyway, convenience problems apart, there’s so much to love right here. The Cervélo S5 is sickeningly speedy. On flat and rolling terrain, for which it was once essentially designed, it completely barrels alongside. I’m by no means going to say that I will really feel the aero variations between a couple of top-end motorcycles, however the S5 does, it should be stated, have a practical, nearly TT-esque really feel to it. You wish to have to sit down both within the drops, or in an aero place at the hoods and urge it to tick alongside at complete chat.
Oddly although it doesn’t really feel speedy. It’s speedy, very very speedy, however in some ways, it feels slightly pedestrian, with a forged, strong journey that every now and then verges on being just a little languid. It’s by no means a motorbike I relished driving on twisty, winding descents, missing the responsive entrance finish of the likes of the Pinarello Dogma F. This is going utterly in opposition to the geometry charts, with the S5 having a steeper head tube, shorter chain remains, and a decrease path fork than the Dogma F, however the Italian motorcycle did really feel extra energetic. As ever, geometry charts can most effective let you know such a lot.
A part of it I think is weight, with the S5 weighing 340g greater than a similarly-specced Trek Madone, however a part of it I believe is simply the motorcycle being absurdly stiff and missing any of that intangible elasticity that may convey a motorbike to existence.
If you happen to’re into sprints, uphill or another way, the S5 might be your good friend. The drops at the bars lend a hand so much, however the entire package deal is so stiff, particularly on the rear finish, that you just don’t really feel such as you’re losing a unmarried watt. It’s magnificent on this appreciate, and I think, as with many different portions of this motorcycle, it was once designed now not with customers in thoughts however with skilled racers.
On longer climbs it feels some distance much less at house. It’s no slouch, don’t get me improper. It’s a nine-grand superbike that, within the grand scheme of items, weighs little or no, however in the end the traits which can be continuously ascribed to motorcycles that ‘make you want to dance on the pedals’ are absent right here. It lacks that straightforward, whip-sharp acceleration that in point of fact light-weight motorcycles have at the steepest ramps, who prefer as a substitute to muscle over lumps the place imaginable, and settle into a gentle, seated rhythm on those who it can not.
On open, flowing descents it’s remarkably strong, and reasonably unperturbed through crosswinds when put next to a few aero motorcycles I’ve ridden. On longer bends the place you’ll be able to in reality pick out your line upfront it’s very delightful certainly, by contrast to the way it behaves on tight, twisty roads. If you happen to are living any place with damaged tarmac then higher tyres are going to in reality lend a hand right here too, now not most effective within the grip stakes but additionally to cut back that sketchy chatter that any stiff chassis can impart.
The groupset is beginning to glance just a little drained now although, even accounting for the truth that it features a energy meter. The adaptation in really feel and ergonomics between the present SRAM Power and the brand new Crimson is massive, and with a brand new Power having already been leaked it is protected to mention that that is someplace I would fortunately see the motorcycle up to date. Power merely does not shift or prevent in addition to Ultegra, and the ergonomics are not as just right both in my e-book.
Worth
If velocity is your objective then you definitely in reality are going to battle to peak this I believe. In a lifeless directly line that is as aero as motorcycles get, even with a 2d tier groupset, thinking about ‘only’ £9.5k/$9k, which is some huge cash however a couple of thousand shy of top-tier race motorcycles. Sure, you’ll be able to get the S5 fitted out with Dura-Ace or Crimson, however that’s a unique proposition.
If you happen to’re racing (and I imply if truth be told, competitively racing, now not simply the occasional KOM hunt) then it’s a in reality compelling providing. It appears slightly mad however I don’t assume it’s any more difficult to are living with than another motorcycle with an built-in cockpit. If you happen to’re into dash triathlons it almost definitely makes numerous sense too. For longer occasions, Cervélo has stopped making its personal TT extensions package for the motorcycle, however aftermarket choices are to be had, and if you’ll be able to’t stretch to a complete TT motorcycle then having this kind of and a few bars is an attractive respectable compromise.
If efficiency is your objective then completely it represents respectable price, particularly should you’re studying this lengthy after e-newsletter and it’s now on sale, however as a motorbike to possess and simply journey round on with your folks, I’m now not so positive.
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The entrance wheel is tucked proper below the down tube. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
The hinged fork undoubtedly has a particular glance to it, however there is no denying that it is speedy. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
The seat tube is essentially the most scalloped of any trendy street motorcycle.(Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
This implies the seat submit, in addition to being extraordinarily deep, is near-vertical, and in reality unforgiving. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)
With this sort of slim entrance finish one can see how it is such an aero gadget. (Symbol credit score: Will Jones)Verdict
By means of the numbers the Cervélo S5 is an attractive sensible motorcycle. It’s supremely aerodynamic, monstrously stiff, and the second one tier SRAM Power fashion is if truth be told beautiful respectable price if you wish to move speedy. As a driving revel in although it’s so unmarried minded in its seek for velocity that it sort of feels to be left missing within the pleasure division.
If you wish to win a motorbike race then that is in the end one of the vital very best choices in the marketplace nonetheless, even given how previous the motorcycle is (much more so while you believe the present S5 most effective won modest tweaks over the previous model).
If, on the other hand, you wish to have a motorbike that’s a pleasure to journey and personal then I counsel you glance in different places. It’s so stiff, and nearly robot every now and then within the journey really feel that I by no means in reality lusted after my subsequent journey on it as I continuously do with different in reality posh motorcycles.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyTesting scorecard and notesAttributesNotesRatingDesign and aesthetics Overly designed, however you’ll be able to’t argue with the truth that it is all to nice impact. To not my style aesthetically, however I am getting t that it could be your cup of tea. 8/10BuildDecent wheels, however the Power groupset lacks in comparison to Ultegra an identical, even with an integrated energy meter. 8/10PerformanceIf velocity is your objective then it is principally complete marks, however from a holistic perspective the enhancements in moderate velocity are received at the price of dealing with and luxury. 8/10WeightThere’s simply extra motorcycle. At 8.5kg it is a little hefty through the criteria of contemporary motorcycles which can be nearly as aero.7/10ValueAgain, if you wish to have a motorbike to race on then I believe it represents just right price, however within the spherical, given it is not essentially all that a laugh to journey, it is middling. 7/10Overall ratingRow 5 – Mobile 1 76%
