The lowered bottom bracket, longer reach, lower stack, and shorter headtube of the R5 lengthen and drop the cycling position, in favor of a pro bike fit and weights the bike appropriately. This centers rider weight, but keeps the proper proportion over the front wheel required for aggressive corning and overall stability. The Cervelo carbon fork was built like the frame, with enhancements to the lateral base stiffness, tire clearance and aerodynamics. The end result is a bike that carves mountain descents, rips criterium corners, and rolls true and balanced on the flats. Increased comfort comes not only from the more compliant D-shaped seatpost, but also with larger volume tires. As aerodynamics research has pushed wheel manufacturers to wider rims, larger tires, and frame/fork air flow integration, cyclists have noticed that 25-28mm road tires can be fast, aero, and reduce road noise and impact. This race-ready R5 takes full advantage.

Cervelo's aero integrated Future Proof cable routing that accommodates mechanical and electronic drivetrains carries over, along with the Reduced Friction Bottom Bracket Guide. The derailleur cables or wires run down into headube/downtube junction from a port just behind the headtube, similar to the aero-road S5 design. One of the engineers' tasks with the R5 was to develop it, and the disc brake version, to be a close as possible in fit, function, feel, and frame performance. While the disc brake model features thru-axle drop outs, the standard R5 features traditional road 100mm and 130mm quick release versions. Again, this is catering to the pros, who predominantly ride dual-pivot caliper brakes, but also reduces overall bike weight as well.

The wireless shifting system of the 12-speed SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset simplifies and streamlines a bike like no other option. The bike features a full groupset, with a Red DUB 48/35 crankset and XDR Red XG-1290 10-28 cassette, and AXS front and rear derailleurs. The lightweight, aero Red rim brakeset provides all the stopping power and feel you need to control the DT Swiss PRC 1450 Spline 35 carbon wheelset, which ride on the excellent Continental GP4000s II 25mm clincher tires. Cervelo supplies their AB06 Aero Carbon Handlebar, Carbon Stem, SP18 Carbon Seatpost, FSA IS-2 headset, and Astute Skyline Lab Saddle. The lightweight removable eTap batteries work with both generations of the system, and come with a USB charging dock. The AXS system allows for BLE connectivity to the SRAM AXS app for simple, fast firmware updates and system monitoring.