New Cervélo R-Series! | GCN's First Look

Simon takes a look at the NEW Cervélo R5 & R3 bikes that will come in both rim and disc brake versions.

What do you think of the new Cervélo R5 & R3 models? Let us know in the comments 👇

Simon takes a look at the new Cervélo R5 & R3 bikes that will come in both rim and disc brake versions.

The Cervélo R series released way back in 2005 when Fabian Cancellara won Paris-Roubaix and Stuart O'Grady backed it up in 2006, followed by Carlos Sastre winning the Tour de France in 2008, you could say they've been successful with it.

The bottom bracket has been lowered by several mm to make it feel a bit more stable, the fork rake has been extended by a couple of mm and the head tube angle relaxed by 0.5degree. This keeps the handling nice!

By lengthening the chainstays by 5mm the geometry of the rim and disc brake versions remains the same, which is fantastic news!

The stiffness of the bike really helps with the handling, according to Cervélo the headtube is a whopping 21% stiffer than the previous version. The bottom bracket 13% stiffer. Apparently the disc brake version is even stiffer due to the use of thru-axles.

Tube shapes and carbon layup has been refined and is as big as Cervélo could make it, staying within the UCI regulations.

The all important question of comfort. 28mm tyres fit this bike which is great as wider tyres are now being commonly used.

Fit. The R series bikes slot into the Cervélo range between the aggressive positioned S series and the more relaxed C series of bikes. The R5 has a slightly racier geometry than the R3. Cervélo have made some very clever tweaks on the R3 to make it still appear a very racy machine.

Now for the weight weenies, the R3 weight has dropped 10% for the rim brake version and 16% for the disc brake version. That's impressive! The new R5 remains a similar weight to its predecessor, however with the added stiffness, it's a fine trade off.

The R series are not designed to be aerodynamic specific. The new R5 does however save 4w at 30mph and the R3 is 2 watts more efficient than the previous model. Always good to hear.

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Leave us a comment below!

[gcn]

What do you think of the new Cervélo R-Series? Let us know 👇

[trannel]

whoops. Just bought this R5 version for 750Euro 2nd hand from a friend. With 2 years of milage.
I'm a bit hyped... finally making my cervelo dream true (after 12+ years of riding road bikes)!

[wilko]

Just bought the R-5. Had to sell both kidneys, but it looks great next to my dialysis machine.

[bluemystic]

I have a 2008 R3 and it STILL rips. Love, love the bike!

[Mathiasthorp]

Finally a GCN video on a bike brand other than Canyon and Trek!

[leeshirley]

The R5 in black and green looks stunning!

[jorgem.escobar]

as a Cervelo fan, I love the new R5 looks and loved the video... as usual, great job GCN!

[andy-the-gardener]

nice. i particularly like that the slopey tubes at the back, join the more upright tube that the seatpost goes into, at the right place.

[craiglane]

Great to see the R5 getting the recognition it deserves.

[dashcammtl]

I have the 2016 R5 and it's freaking amazing!

[richardstewart]

I was privileged to ride for a few days in Tuscany during a hiking tour of The Etruscan Road back in 2007. What a wonderful region in which to ride and enjoy Italy.

[BikeItUK]

I have to agree with an earlier comment regarding it looking like the Canyon Ultimate. Very nice bike will be good to get up close and have a closer look! Thanks guys all the best Andy

[simonrano]

I love how all bike manufacturer are able to focus on each most important point while keeping a overall look at the whole picture to keep a strong balance and high performance optimised in every aspect of a dedicated riding style bike. Very each aspect is made better than the other ones. :p

[ChrisNicholsSEO]

I just picked up a r2 with ultegra group set. The cervelo rep in my area said there isn't a difference between the r2 and r3 frame. The forks only have a 15 gram difference. So far I'm loving it.

[johnrailsback]

I like that GCN steps out of their Canyon comfort zone from time to time.

[gbasile]

I wish (like every new bike) I too could be 10% lighter, 15% stiffer and 20% more vertically compliant each year.

[theSquatingfish]

my jaws dropped when they announced that the R5 is going to be almost 10k

[CyclingCharan]

Hmm let me see...some GCN presenter used to ride for the Cervelo Test Team...if I'm not wrong...*Hahaha 😂*

[openquotes]

I'm assuming GCN didn't know anyone that was on a team that tested Cervelos?

[Naturalhighz]

Looks amazing and I imagine they feel amazing to ride as well. My last year of racing as a junior was back in 2008 where I rode the r2, which is the one that was used to win Paris-Roubaix. It was the best bike I ever raced. Had it equipped with full Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed and Fulcrum Racing Speed wheels for dry conditions, Racing 0 for wet and rough conditions (used those for Paris Roubaix junior) both sets were tubulars.

My current bike feels about the same but seeing as the cervelo was 5 years earlier I think that speaks to how great a frame it really was and I would probably be like a kid on christmas if I got to ride those new bikes.