Cervélo boasts of lightness with its new R5 weighing just 5.97 kg

While most brands are leaving aside the ultralight high-performance bicycles to focus their competition range on aerolight concept bikes, Cervélo continues to evolve its renowned R5, which in this latest generation takes the combination of lightness and stiffness to unsuspected limits just a few years ago.

The Cervélo R5 that Pauline Ferrand-Prévot used to win the Tour de France is now on sale

Only 5.97 kg in size 56 in its two top-of-the-range setups, SRAM Red AXS and Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, is the presentation card of the new Cervélo R5, the same bike that Pauline Ferrand-Prévot used to dominate the Tour de France on the slopes of the mythical Col de la Madeleine.

A bike that, visually, differs very little from its predecessor, in fact, it had not been revealed that the French cyclist was riding a new bike but, however, internally, in terms of its carbon layup, its wheels, and its components has been completely revised to push the scale to levels of true madness even though the UCI then forces it to be weighted down in competition to reach the dreaded 6.8 kg minimum.

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Obviously, Cervélo did not only intend to lighten the bike, something that would have been easy, but to maintain stiffness figures at the maximum levels required for use in competitions at the highest level. A commendable exercise considering that the Visma-Lease a Bike men's team completely ignored this bike in favor of the aerodynamic virtues of its sister S5.

A weight on the scale that is achieved by leaving the frame at a minimal 651 grams and the fork at 298, 100 less than the previous version. The integrated handlebar has also been redesigned to reduce weight although in its case, the knowledge learned in the S series has been applied to give it a slight profile that provides a minimum of aerodynamics.

By the way, regarding the handlebar, it is worth noting that, although a handlebar of predefined dimensions is mounted as standard, the customer can request, within 60 days of purchase, its replacement with another size that suits them better. An aspect to consider when we talk about such expensive bikes and with a component that is so difficult to replace in current bikes where everything is integrated.

With this new R5, Cervélo has not wanted to divert attention to anything other than climbing mountains as fast as possible. Therefore, it is not surprising that its wheel clearances are limited to 29 mm, when most current bikes seek to accommodate fat tires. And speaking of wheels, their Reserve SL have also been lightened compared to the previous ones and have a very contained profile of 34 mm in the front and 37 in the rear to be as light and manageable as possible.

Cervélo offers this bike in 5 different setups, from the most economical ones, equipped with Ultegra Di2 and Force AXS, which will have a price of €9,380, to the three top-of-the-range setups. Two with standard configuration in SRAM Red AXS and Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, for €13,530, and an extra one that benefits from the incorporation of a UDH type derailleur hanger. Correct, we are talking about an option with the SRAM Red XPLR AXS with 13 gears and a single chainring configuration with which to push the slender lines of this R5 to the limit. Of course, there will also be the option of a frame kit, priced at €5,960.