{"id":67707,"date":"2024-08-06T09:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/50099602-73ce-4259-955f-74a345473dcf"},"modified":"2024-08-06T09:25:35","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T07:25:35","slug":"cervelo-hones-the-caledonia-5-for-fast-big-miles-with-wider-tyre-clearance-down-tube-storage-and-aero-wheels","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/cervelo-hones-the-caledonia-5-for-fast-big-miles-with-wider-tyre-clearance-down-tube-storage-and-aero-wheels\/","title":{"rendered":"Cerv\u00e9lo hones the Caledonia 5 for fast, big miles with wider tyre clearance, down tube storage and aero wheels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cerv\u00e9lo modernises its Caledonia long-distance road bike while trying to keep its racy characterstics <\/p>

By Jack Evans\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 06 August 2024 at 07:01 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Cerv\u00e9lo 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.<\/p>

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\u201d.<\/p>

As such, the Caledonia incorporates internal cable routing<\/a> and mimics the aerodynamic tube shapes of the R5 climbing bike<\/a> and S5 aero bike<\/a> to cut drag.\u00a0<\/p>

On the endurance bike<\/a>, the S5’s influence is evident in the head tube\u2019s rearward taper, the top tube\u2019s angular underside, and the depth of the down tube and fork legs.\u00a0<\/p>

Cerv\u00e9lo says the seatstays are dropped to boost compliance, but not as far as the latest \u00c1spero\u2019s<\/a>, contributing to the level of comfort the Caledonia provides for century rides or further<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

However, Cerv\u00e9lo adds that the Caledonia’s down tube is more rigid than its gravel race bike<\/a>, to feel more efficient while pedalling. <\/p>

The 2024 Cerv\u00e9lo Caledonia 5 range contains two Shimano and three SRAM builds, starting at \u00a35,500 \/ $6,000 with the Caledonia 5 Rival AXS. The Caledonia 5 Red AXS tops the range at \u00a311,000 \/ $12,000.\u00a0<\/p>

Down tube storage, 36mm tyre clearance and good news for mechanics<\/h2>
The storage hatch opens when you pull up the down tube bottle cage. – Cerv\u00e9lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The increase in tyre clearance from 34mm to 36mm will enable you to fit wider road bike tyres<\/a>, and run them at lower pressures<\/a> for grip and comfort, rather than gravel tyres<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

All top four builds of the Cerv\u00e9lo Caledonia 5 are now specced with the Reserve 42\/49 Turbulent Aero wheelset.\u00a0<\/p>

The deeper rear rim depth (49mm versus 42mm) is claimed to reduce drag and weight. Reserve\u2019s recommended tyre width range for the 25mm internal width is 29-40mm.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Spare
You can hold your tools and tubes in one or two pouches. – Cerv\u00e9lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>

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

In addition, Cerv\u00e9lo has tried to make the Caledonia easier to work on. A new split bearing cap enables you to switch your stem<\/a> without having to cut the brake and gear cables<\/a>.<\/p>

Who is the Caledonia 5 for?<\/h2>
\"Two
Cerv\u00e9lo says the Caledonia is for “big, stupid rides”. – Cerv\u00e9lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Cerv\u00e9lo is pitching the Caledonia at those who want to complete ultra-distance events<\/a> at speed, such as the Transcontinental Race<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

If you don\u2019t race, the Caledonia is also ideal for \u201cbig, stupid rides\u201d where the mileage total stretches into three figures, according to Cerv\u00e9lo.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Cyclists who ride in all conditions will be pleased to see the Caledonia retains removable mounts for mudguards<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Male
Cerv\u00e9lo says the Caledonia makes light work of rough, paved sufaces. – Cerv\u00e9lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Despite the Caledonia being approved for use in UCI-sanctioned races, we are unlikely to see the endurance bike in the men\u2019s WorldTour<\/a> or women\u2019s WorldTour<\/a>.<\/p>

Cerv\u00e9lo-sponsored Visma-Lease a Bike mainly races the S5 or R5. The Soloist endurance bike<\/a> occasionally makes an appearance in the Spring Classics, probably making the less aero Caledonia surplus to requirements at elite level. <\/p>

An exception might be on a technical Grand Tour gravel stage, where the Caledonia\u2019s wider tyre clearance (36mm) could come into its own. <\/p>

Cerv\u00e9lo Caledonia 5 geometry<\/h1>
\"Male
Geometry remains quite sporty for an endurance bike. – Cerv\u00e9lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Caledonia 5\u2019s sporty endurance geometry<\/a> is unchanged from the previous generation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

With a slacker head angle and longer wheelbase than the R-Series, the Caledonia\u2019s handling should be slower and its ride more stable.\u00a0<\/p>

The stack is similar to the \u00c1spero’s for an accessible ride position. Compared to the gravel race bike<\/a>, the Caledonia\u2019s reach is shorter, but it comes with a longer stem.\u00a0<\/p>

<\/colgroup>
\ufeff<\/th>48<\/b><\/th>51<\/b><\/th>54<\/b><\/th>56<\/b><\/th>58<\/b><\/th>61<\/b><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Seat angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>74.5<\/td>74<\/td>73.5<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td> <\/tr>
Head angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>70.5<\/td>71.5<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td>415<\/td>415<\/td>415<\/td>415<\/td>415<\/td>415<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>502<\/td>522<\/td>543<\/td>565<\/td>581<\/td>598<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>89.5<\/td>109.9<\/td>136<\/td>162.3<\/td>191.2<\/td>217.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork offset<\/b> (mm)<\/td>59<\/td>53<\/td>50<\/td>50<\/td>50<\/td>50<\/td> <\/tr>
Trail<\/b> (mm)<\/td>60<\/td>60<\/td>60<\/td>60<\/td>60<\/td>60<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>76.5<\/td>76.5<\/td>74<\/td>74<\/td>71.5<\/td>71.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>982.20<\/td>984.50<\/td>995.20<\/td>1,012.30<\/td>1,030.70<\/td>1,047.80<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td>712<\/td>752<\/td>784<\/td>807<\/td>834<\/td>857<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>505<\/td>530<\/td>555<\/td>580<\/td>605<\/td>630<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>360<\/td>369<\/td>378<\/td>387<\/td>396<\/td>405<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>