There is, however, one change that the S5 customer will have to content with: the aero handlebar. As a full aero top section from brake hood to stem clamp, there is no place (or structural integrity, for that matter) to mount a set of clip-on aerobars. Hence, you'll have to pass on the Cerv?lo bar and use a traditional bar with clip-ons, or a dedicated tri bar with bar end shifters, as we've seen done on some bikes. The draft-legal ITU set will clamor for this rig; it's stiff, nimble, and now with its reworkings, more aero, and more aggressive in fit.
Again, with a lower front end, the geometry is certainly better for aerodynamics (but markedly slacker than a dedicated triathlon bike.) Those either wanting a bike to do everything (road racing, triathlon, weekend cruising with a spouse), or have physiological structure issues (bad back, etc.), the S5 will be a superb choice.
Models
There is no longer a "VWD" designation in the Cervelo line anymore; as Henderson says, "Compared to the previous S5 VWD, the weight is net neutral, the bike got stiffer without adding weight and it got faster. The new S5 now has all the technology of a VWD-level bike, but we didn't need to sell it to consumers as such. So we just have the one frame, with different spec levels. It's certainly a VWD-level bike."
Those specs levels include:
- S5 with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070, with a ROTOR 3D BBright crankset, HED Jet 6 Plus SCT carbon alloy clincher wheelset (a $1,500 wheelset in its own right), Continental GP tires and an Fi'zi:k Antares saddle. This setup will retail at
- $10,000 USD.
- S5 with Shimano Dura-Ace Mechanical, with the Hed Jet6 wheelset, will price at $8,000.
- S5 with Shimano Ultegra 6800 mechanical, with a Mavic Cosmic Elite S wheelset, prices at $5,500.
- S5 Frameset (without Cerv?lo aerobar), retailing at $4,500.
More: Review: Aero Helmets
Each bike will come with a standard single-clamp layback, with a two-position post with a zero-offset available aftermarket for those that want a bit more forward position. The smallest frame available (48cm) will come stock with the two-position post, for saddle setback, standard. And the groupsets come complete with standard center-mount Shimano brake calipers, instead of the increasingly-popular (and slightly more aero) direct-mount version. Cervelo says the complexities of direct mount brakes and a lack of appreciable aero benefit made traditional mount brakes their choice.
And for those that want to upgrade their existing ride, regardless brand, with the Cervelo aerobar? It will indeed be available independently (in 40, 42 and 44 center-to-center widths) for $400.
For more info on the new S5, you can see it all at cervelo.com.
More: 2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Triathletes
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