ENDURANCE
Cervélo Caledonia 5
£6,999.99 Bike royalty now with 12-speed Ultegra Di2
Weight 7.95kg (56cm) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Shimano Ultegra Di2 8150, 52/36, 11-34 Brakes Shimano Ultegra disc Wheels Reserve carbon Finishing kit Cervélo carbon bar, ST32 stem, carbon seatpost, saddle, Vittoria Rubino Pro 28mm tubeless tyres
The Good
Superb handling; comfort; it’s quick
The Bad
Price; needs better tyres
All the gear…
Shimano’s new 12-speed semi-wireless Ultegra Di2 stars. The Caledonia 5 is also available with SRAM Force, Red and Shimano Dura-Ace
In Reserve
The Reserve 40/44 wheels have different rim depths and widths in order to minimise weight, optimise aerodynamics and maximise stability
Extra, extra!
The Caledonia 5 comes with a Cervélo faceplate computer/accessory mount, a rear accessory mount and removable mudguard fittings
THE FRONT END of the Cervélo Caledonia 5 Ultegra Di2 echoes the Canadian brand’s aero road designs. Its smoothly interlocking fork crown blends into the aero-shaped head tube, which then flows into the ST32 stem with its aeroshaped headset and spacers, and fully integrated brake routing. In contrast, the rear features low-slung seatstays that look like they’re inspired by Cervélo’s gravel Áspero.
The geometry is classic endurance-bike stuff, with a 72-degree head angle combining with a 50mm fork offset. This results in a trail figure of 57mm on a 25mm tyre, rising to 60mm on a 30mm tyre. Frame weight is a claimed 936g, with the fork adding 370g, and a complete bike weighing just 7.95kg.
Cervélo’s wheel partner Reserve supplies its slick 40/44 carbon wheels, with the 40mm-deep front and 44mm rear both running DT Swiss’ dependable 370 hubs.
The front inner rim width is 25.4mm, the rear 25mm, and they shape the Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres well. The nominal 28mm width is bang on 30mm for the front wheel and just shy of 30mm on the rear.
Shimano’s new 12-speed, semi-wireless Di2 groupset makes its long-awaited appearance, and it shifts the chain precisely across the racy 52/36 chainset and wide-range 11-34 cassette. Bluetooth connectivity links it to Shimano’s E-TUBE app, allowing you to customise shifting options. The Caledonia’s gearing is well pitched for the bike’s intended audience, and the hydraulic brakes do a typically fine job of scrubbing power.
When it comes to releasing power, the Caledonia accelerates with a proper punch when you stomp on the pedals. It’s every inch a match for its supposedly ‘race’ bike rivals. It doesn’t, however, have the downsides of a super-aggressive stretched riding position that you’ll need a crash course in yoga to live with. And the stiff, responsive chassis doesn’t come at the expense of comfort either.
It’s a superb bike but there is a fiscal caveat – it will cost you £1,200 more than in 2020. Yes, it’s improved; yes, the 12-speed is better; and yes, global costs have shot up.
But it’s still a helluva premium.
Verdict
Customisable Ultegra Di2 and a premium performance – but it does come at a premium price