Cervélo modernises its Caledonia long-distance road bike while trying to keep its racy characterstics

By Jack Evans

Published: Tuesday, 06 August 2024 at 07:01 AM

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Cervélo claims to have optimised the Caledonia 5 for pacy, long rides by adding down tube storage and increasing tyre clearance to 36mm. The high-end models now come with more aerodynamic Reserve wheels.

The minor changes to the American brand’s endurance bike reflect its intentions for the Caledonia: “all-day riding, high-pace group rides, and routes featuring less-than-ideal tarmac”.

As such, the Caledonia incorporates internal cable routing and mimics the aerodynamic tube shapes of the R5 climbing bike and S5 aero bike to cut drag. 

On the endurance bike, the S5’s influence is evident in the head tube’s rearward taper, the top tube’s angular underside, and the depth of the down tube and fork legs. 

Cervélo says the seatstays are dropped to boost compliance, but not as far as the latest Áspero’s, contributing to the level of comfort the Caledonia provides for century rides or further. 

However, Cervélo adds that the Caledonia’s down tube is more rigid than its gravel race bike, to feel more efficient while pedalling.

The 2024 Cervélo Caledonia 5 range contains two Shimano and three SRAM builds, starting at £5,500 / $6,000 with the Caledonia 5 Rival AXS. The Caledonia 5 Red AXS tops the range at £11,000 / $12,000. 

Down tube storage, 36mm tyre clearance and good news for mechanics

The increase in tyre clearance from 34mm to 36mm will enable you to fit wider road bike tyres, and run them at lower pressures for grip and comfort, rather than gravel tyres. 

All top four builds of the Cervélo Caledonia 5 are now specced with the Reserve 42/49 Turbulent Aero wheelset. 

The deeper rear rim depth (49mm versus 42mm) is claimed to reduce drag and weight. Reserve’s recommended tyre width range for the 25mm internal width is 29-40mm. 

Another notable change is the internal compartment, which can hold an inner tube, small multi-tool and C02 canister, according to the brand. You open this by lifting the down tube bottle cage.

In addition, Cervélo has tried to make the Caledonia easier to work on. A new split bearing cap enables you to switch your stem without having to cut the brake and gear cables.

Who is the Caledonia 5 for?

Cervélo is pitching the Caledonia at those who want to complete ultra-distance events at speed, such as the Transcontinental Race. 

If you don’t race, the Caledonia is also ideal for “big, stupid rides” where the mileage total stretches into three figures, according to Cervélo.  

Cyclists who ride in all conditions will be pleased to see the Caledonia retains removable mounts for mudguards. 

Despite the Caledonia being approved for use in UCI-sanctioned races, we are unlikely to see the endurance bike in the men’s WorldTour or women’s WorldTour.

Cervélo-sponsored Visma-Lease a Bike mainly races the S5 or R5. The Soloist endurance bike occasionally makes an appearance in the Spring Classics, probably making the less aero Caledonia surplus to requirements at elite level.

An exception might be on a technical Grand Tour gravel stage, where the Caledonia’s wider tyre clearance (36mm) could come into its own.

Cervélo Caledonia 5 geometry

The Caledonia 5’s sporty endurance geometry is unchanged from the previous generation. 

With a slacker head angle and longer wheelbase than the R-Series, the Caledonia’s handling should be slower and its ride more stable. 

The stack is similar to the Áspero’s for an accessible ride position. Compared to the gravel race bike, the Caledonia’s reach is shorter, but it comes with a longer stem. 

Cervélo Caledonia 5 builds and pricing

At £11,000 / $12,000 / €12,999 / AU$16,500, the Cervélo Caledonia 5 Red AXS build is the most expensive. This comes with the latest Hammerhead Karoo, which is optimised for the groupset. 

Costing the same in dollars, but more in other currencies, is the Cervélo Caledonia 5 Dura-Ace Di2 at £10,500 / $12,000 / €11,999 / AU$16,000. 

Priced at £7,400 / $8,700 / €7,999 / AU$12,000, the Cervélo Caledonia 5 Ultegra Di2 and Caledonia 5 Force AXS are the third-tier models. 

The Cervélo Caledonia 5 Rival AXS is the least expensive bike, costing £5,500 / $6,000 / €5,999 / AU$6,900.

Cervélo specs each model with a power meter, and a carbon handlebar and seatpost. 

A Cervélo Caledonia 5 frameset is yours for £4,400 / $5,000 / €4,799 / AU$6,900. 

Cervélo Caledonia 5 Red AXS

• Frame: Caledonia-5, carbon
• Wheels: Reserve 42/49 Turbulent Aero wheelset
• Groupset: SRAM Red AXS
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro Control TLR, 700X30c
• Price: £11,000 / $12,000 / €12,999 / AU$16,500

Cervélo Caledonia 5 Dura-Ace Di2

• Frame: Caledonia-5, carbon
• Wheels: Reserve 42/49 Turbulent Aero wheelset
• Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro Control TLR, 700X30c
• Price: £10,500 / $12,000 / €11,999 / AU$16,000

Cervélo Caledonia 5 Ultegra Di2

• Frame: Caledonia-5, carbon
• Wheels: Reserve 42/49 Turbulent Aero wheelset
• Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0, 700x30c
• Price: £7,400 / $8,700 / €7,999 / AU$12,000

Cervélo Caledonia 5 Force AXS

• Frame: Caledonia-5, carbon
• Wheels: Reserve 42/49 Turbulent Aero wheelset
• Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0, 700x30c
• Price: £7,400 / $8,700 / €7,999 / AU$12,000

Cervélo Caledonia 5 Rival AXS

• Frame: Caledonia-5, carbon
• Wheels: Vision Team i23 Disc
• Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro Control TLR, 700X30c
• Price: £5,500 / $6,000 / €5,999 / AU$6,900