S5 Ultegra Di2

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.

$10,100Shimano Ultegra Di2

Build

Size

Inventory

$9,000

$10,000

$10,100

$10,100

Stack	542mm
Reach	384mm
Top tube	550mm
Headtube length	104mm
Standover height	758mm

Fit and geometry

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.

Full specs

Frameset

Fork

Cervélo All-Carbon, Bayonet S5 Fork

Groupset

Shift levers

Shimano Ultegra, R8170

Front derailleur

Shimano Ultegra, R8150

Rear derailleur

Shimano Ultegra, R8150

Cassette

Shimano Ultegra, R8100, 11-34T, 12-Speed

Chain

Shimano M8100

Crankset

Shimano Ultegra, R8100, 52/36T

Bottom bracket

FSA, BBright thread together for 24mm spindle

Front rotor

Shimano CL800 Centerlock

Rear rotor

Shimano CL800 Centerlock

Wheelset

Front wheel

Reserve 57TA, DT Swiss 240, 12x100mm, 24H, centerlock, tubeless compatible

Rear wheel

Reserve 64TA, DT Swiss 240, 12x142mm, HG freehub 24H, centerlock, tubeless compatible

Front tire

Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 700x29c

Rear tire

Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 700x29c

Cockpit

Stem

Cervélo HB19 Carbon

Handlebars

Cervélo HB19 Carbon

Saddle

Selle Italia NOVUS BOOST EVO SuperFlow Ti

Seatpost

Cervélo SP34 Carbon

Builds

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.

Ultegra Di2

$10,100

Shimano Ultegra Di2Selected

Force AXS

$10,250

SRAM Force AXS

Dura-Ace Di2

$14,350

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2

Red AXS

$14,500

SRAM Red AXS

Red XPLR AXS 1

$14,500

SRAM Red XPLR AXS 1

Reviews

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.