The lowered bottom bracket, longer reach, lower stack, and shorter headtube of the R5 lengthen and drop the cycling position lower in favor of a pro bike fit and weights the bike appropriately. The fit set-up centers rider weight, holding the power of the pedaling position at an aggressive hip angle, while ensuring the proper distribution over the front wheel required for aggressive corning and overall stability. The overall frame construction and geometry of a 56cm feature a shorter 151mm headtube, 410mm seatstays and a 993mm wheelbase, all of which lead to impeccable, agile handling at any speed.

The tapered 1½ to 1⅛" Cervelo Carbon Disc Fork was built like, and complements 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, we know 25-28mm road tires can be fast, aero, and reduce road noise and impact. This race-ready R5 Disc 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. You get all the pieces and parts needed for any drivetrain set-up, along with a chainstay protector and an optional shroud for the frame based seatpost fastening system.

Although one of the engineers' tasks with the R5 was to develop disc brake and non-disc version to be a close as possible in fit, function, feel, and frame performance; disc brakes do have different requirements and move the actual braking effect lower to the road, at the hub, versus upon the fork crown and seatstays. The R5 disc brake model features 12mm thru-axle drop outs, now with Cervelo's DT-style lever hollow thru-axles. Every R5 Disc rider will benefit from the stability and stiffness of thru-axles, while being able to remove and reinstall a wheel in any conditions.

Of course safety is also tied to disc braking, specifically the newer lighter lever/caliper options that manage heat on a long descent, elicit subtle feel and performance while cornering, as well as delivering power that won't fade or diminish in wet or dry conditions. The caliper standard is the Flat Mount system, front and rear, with integrated internal hose routing. The braking set-up had been optimized for 160mm calipers/rotors but 140mm can still be used.

The clean set-up, fast and consistent wireless shifting of 12-speed RED eTap AXS only enhances the frameset, and the HRD road disc braking system delivers power and control with a deft lever feel. Add in a carbon cockpit set-up and DT Swiss 350 disc hub based Reserve Carbon 50mm wheelset and this is compliant, performance driven bike to be reckoned with, whether climbing, attacking, sprinting or rolling along at high speed.