Cervelo S5 Force AXS

Cervelo

S5Force AXS

GroupsetSRAM Force AXS E1SRAM Force E1, 10-33T, 12…
WheelsReserve 57TA, DT Swiss…Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0…
Tire clearance34 mm

The 2025 Cervelo S5 is an uncompromising aero road bike engineered specifically for professional racing and high-speed efficiency. Taking advantage of relaxed UCI regulations, this iteration features a noticeably deeper head tube and bayonet fork designed to minimize drag. It remains the primary weapon for the Visma-Lease a Bike team, proving its capability across flat stages and mountainous Grand Tour days alike.

Rather than softening the platform into a generalist road bike, Cervelo kept the S5 focused entirely on forward momentum. It suits performance-obsessed riders who prioritize aerodynamic gains and raw power transfer over endurance-oriented compliance. The system relies heavily on integration, pairing a refined frame shape with co-developed Reserve carbon wheels and a new one-piece cockpit to squeeze out marginal aerodynamic improvements and shed weight compared to the previous generation.

Cervelo S5
Build
Size
01 / Buy

Where to get it.

5 retailers · size 54.

Size
5 retailers · Size 54
02 / Specifications

Spec sheet.

Every component shipped with this build.

01Frameset
1 component
ForkCervélo All-Carbon, Bayonet S5 Fork
02Drivetrain & brakes
9 components
Shift leversSRAM Force AXS E1
Front derailleurSRAM Force AXS E1
Rear derailleurSRAM Force AXS E1
CassetteSRAM Force E1, 10-33T, 12-Speed
ChainSRAM Force E1
Bottom bracketSRAM DUB Ceramic, BBright
Front rotorSRAM Paceline Centerlock
Rear rotorSRAM Paceline Centerlock
03Wheels & tires
4 components
Front tireVittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 700x29c
Rear tireVittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 700x29c
04Cockpit & contact
4 components
StemCervélo HB19 Carbon
HandlebarsCervélo HB19 Carbon
SaddleSelle Italia NOVUS BOOST EVO SuperFlow Ti
SeatpostCervélo SP34 Carbon
03 / Geometry

Geometry & fit.

6 sizes published.

The S5 geometry dictates an aggressive, stretched-out rider posture tailored for racing. Cervelo retained the proven fit of the previous generation but implemented subtle tweaks to accommodate wider tires and improve stability. A slightly lower bottom bracket drop and a revised fork offset help lower the rider's center of gravity, enhancing high-speed cornering. The steering is highly responsive and direct, rewarding confident input, though the tight front center can result in toe overlap during slow-speed maneuvers.

A major update to the rider interface is the HB19 one-piece carbon cockpit, which replaces the previous bolt-together V-stem design. The new bar features a flared shape that is narrower at the hoods than in the drops. This encourages a highly aerodynamic, tucked position when cruising on the hoods while providing a wider, more stable stance for sprinting and descending in the drops. Because the cockpit is a single piece, post-purchase adjustability is limited to headset spacers, making precise initial sizing critical.

Reach × Stack · size 54mm

Where the handlebar sits relative to the bottom bracket — the single most important fit pair.

625586548509470STACK ↑345365385405425REACH →ENDURANCERACE / AEROSize 54384 · 542
01Fit geometry5 values
Stack542 mm
Reach384 mm
Top tube550 mm
Headtube length104 mm
Standover height758 mm
02Component geometry4 values
Crank length170 mm
Handlebar width400 mm
Stem length100 mm
Seatpost offset0 mm
03Handling geometry8 values
Headtube angle73°
Seat tube angle73°
BB drop72 mm
Trail55.6 mm
Offset46.5 mm
Front center581 mm
Wheelbase975 mm
Chainstay length405 mm

Which size should I buy?

Slide your height to see the recommended size. GearWise's fit algorithm works from the published stack, reach, and ETT — the brand's own recommendation may differ.

Your height
5'8"173 cm
5'0"5'5"5'10"6'3"6'7"
Recommended size54Based on stack, reach & ETT for your height · score 94/100.

Calculated from GearWise's own stack / reach / ETT algorithm — the brand's size chart may recommend a different size, and a proper bike fit beats any calculator.

04 / Other builds

The lineup.

5 builds, ranging $10,100 – $14,500.

The S5 build ladder is tightly focused on premium electronic groupsets, spanning from Shimano Ultegra Di2 and SRAM Force AXS up to Dura-Ace Di2 and SRAM Red AXS. Uniquely, Cervelo also offers a top-tier SRAM Red XPLR 1x13 build, utilizing a single aero chainring to further reduce aerodynamic drag and weight for riders willing to accept larger gear jumps.

Value across the range is bolstered by shared foundational components. Every build, regardless of price, rolls on the same Reserve 57|64 tubeless-compatible carbon wheelset and utilizes the same HB19 carbon cockpit and SP34 carbon seatpost. The primary differences between the entry and flagship models lie in the drivetrain components and hub internals. The top-tier Red and Dura-Ace builds feature DT Swiss 180 hubs with ceramic bearings, while the Force and Ultegra models use DT Swiss 240 hubs. Additionally, all SRAM builds include integrated power meters, and the Dura-Ace model utilizes a Ceramic Speed bottom bracket.

05 / Reviews

From the press.

10 reviews from the cycling press.

Reviewers consistently characterize the S5 as a pure speed machine that rewards aggressive riding. The frame's massive bottom bracket and front-end stiffness translate power directly to the road, making it an "absolute bullet" (Bicycling Australia) in a straight line. While it can feel slightly sluggish to accelerate from a dead stop, testers note that once the bike carries momentum, it holds speed with remarkable ease. The deep tube shapes and integrated wheels also provide exceptional crosswind stability, with one reviewer calling its planted feel "unparalleled" (YouTube) when pushing the limit in blustery conditions.

Despite its rigid race pedigree, the S5 delivers more compliance than its aggressive silhouette suggests. The combination of wide internal rim profiles and high-volume tires "softens the ride so it's not brutal like you'd expect" (Velo), allowing riders to tackle long days without excessive fatigue. However, it remains a firm ride, and rough pavement will still transmit feedback.

The primary criticisms center on low-speed maneuverability and maintenance. The handling requires a deft touch on technical descents, and the proprietary BBright bottom bracket complicates home servicing. Yet, for riders focused on outright velocity, the consensus is clear: the S5 is "objectively the slipperiest frame" (Cycling Weekly) many have tested, excelling exactly where it was designed to.

06 / Compared to

Compared to.

Most-viewed comparisons.