November 20, 2012 – It’s been almost a year since we received our Cervelo S5 test bike and it’s time for some closing thoughts. Cervelo debuted their S5 frame at the 2011 Tour de France and did so with great success as Thor Hushovd took two stage wins and spent seven days in the yellow jersey aboard the frame. Needless to say we were excited when we got the chance to take the S5 for a long-term test.

We received our S5 last December and promptly built it up with Shimano’s new Ultegra Di2 gruppo – read about the build HERE. It was a logical fit; the S5 was the first Cervelo frame to be designed with the newest generation of electronic components in mind and with Shimano’s new Ultegra Di2 coming out at the same time, it was perfect timing. Cervelo’s Phil Spearman took the time to help us build up the bike and the process went as smooth as one could hope for. Over the past year we have not had one problem with the marriage of electronic shifting and the S5 frame; everything worked great together.

As noted in our initial online report, the S5 is very much a race bike, however the head tube is on the long side (206mm for our 58mm test bike), so check the geometry versus your fit carefully before deciding on a frame size. One should note that the fit of the S series mirrors that of the Cervelo R series geometry, however the head tube length is 6mm longer than the Cervélo R-series because the S5 fork is 6mm shorter. If you’re looking to ‘slam’ the stem and get as long and low as possible, you may need to consider sizing down one frame size and running a slightly longer stem. If you enjoy a more upright position the S5 makes a great bike.

Cervelo really nailed the handling on the S5. I had the good fortune of putting in some really good rides on the bike in the French Alps this summer and on long winding descents the S5 really shines. Simply put, the bike goes where you want it to and it is a ton fun of to go downhill on. Going uphill, one really notices the stiffness of the frame when applying torque to the pedals and it feels like all of your effort it propelling you forward. The S5 is stiff enough to let you know the bike under you is intended to go fast, but not so stiff as to detract from the ride quality. Cervelo has a great White Paper on their website that outlines all the aerodynamic advantages of riding the S5 and needless to say the bike feels fast.

Build quality on the S5 was great and both the frame and paint held up all year despite plenty of airline travel and the more-then-occasional gravel road. The two position seat post is a great idea and allows for plenty of adjustment; the front position equates to a 73 degree seat angle and a zero offset post, while the rear position is akin to a 73 degree angle with a 40mm rear offset post. The little proprietary expandable wedge that holds the seat post in place worked flawlessly all year without needing carbon paste, however I did drop it down the seat tube once while removing the post (tech tip; remove the wedge, then the post, don’t remove both at the same time).

For those who travel with their bike or have to remove the post to fit their bike in their car, it would be prudent to order a second wedge just to be safe. If your local bike shop doesn’t stock Cervelo, odds are they won’t have them in stock. I experimented with a few different tires throughout the summer and while a 24mm or 25mm tire will fit, it’s best to stick with a 23mm. With a 25mm wide tire, over less than perfect surfaces, the tire will pick up gravel and debris on the road and you will hear it as it passes through the shielded seat tube.

The Cervelo S5 has been a great bike this past year and we’ll be sad to see it go. If you’re looking for one of the fastest road bikes out there, look no further. It doesn’t purport to be everything to everyone, but, it doesn’t need to be. It’s a race bike, pure and simple. Cervelo has succeeded in creating both an aerodynamic bike and a great riding bike and it is certainly a bike worthy of your consideration.

Shimano’s Ultegra Di2

The previous Dura Ace Di2 was a great group and a quantum leap forward for shifting, but I think it’s fair in saying that Ultegra Di2 took the electronic group to the next level by making it a viable option for everyone, not just the diehard, professional or affluent cyclists amongst us. With Ultegra Di2, any rider can now appreciate the predictable, consistent and effortless shifting that comes with a Shimano electronic component group.

I didn’t spare the Ultegra Di2 group any punches over the previous year including long mountain climbs, fast descents, gravel roads, and even a bit of singletrack and it performed admirably. I spec’d an 11-28 cassette which provided a wide range of gearing options. Living in Ontario, I stuck with 53-39, however compact gearing is available should you desire it.

The only issue I ever had with the Ultegra, was while rolling away from a coffee stop. I was convinced that I had finally succeeded in draining the battery to zero. Turns out that when I grabbed my bike, I had accidentally popped the cord out of the computer module mounted on the stem, however it was easy re-attach and I was back in business (something to keep an eye on as it may happen every once and while).

After a year riding the Ultegra Di2, I can tell you that it’s great component group, and I would have no problem recommending it to everyone short of maybe someone contemplating a very long and remote self-sufficient tour – even then I think it would be fine provided you could find a place to charge the battery once a week.

I think my greatest revelation about the Ultegra Di2 came when I was out for a ride with my much smaller significant other. I’m on the tall side, so I don’t often think about things like lever reach. I can be in most positions on the bar and shift without a concern, and my hands do tense up on occasion during the kind of repeated and sustained braking you might encounter on a mountain pass, but normally it is not an issue.

My girlfriend, however, at 5’2, has a whole different set of concerns when riding a bike and I know she’s not alone.  Shallow women’s-specific and compact handlebars can only do so much to remedy reduced reach. Adjustable brake levers have existed for a while whether in the form of a mechanical adjustment or a small wedge, but the ability to reduce the throw of a shift on a road bike has never been an option until electronic shifting.

With both Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2, shifting is as easy as tapping a button. Shifting the gears both in the back of the bike and the front is effortless… magical you might say. With both adjustable brake levers and effortless shifting, Shimano has succeeded in making the perfect group for those with small hands, a small victory for anyone who has ever struggled to shift a bike into the big chainring. By bringing Di2 to the more affordable Ultegra price point, electronic shifting is a viable option for both big and small without having to bet the farm.

If you’re in the market for a reliable, predictable and effortless shifting, look no further. If you are small of stature and in the market for a new bike or component group, Ultegra Di2 should be your first stop.