The massive square-oval design of the downtube makes the most impressive statement about Squoval.Max, but every tube on the R5 has been redeveloped to reduce weight, increase lateral stiffness without compromising vertical compliance, and maximizing aerodynamics. From front to back, the redesign fortifies at junctions for increased torsional stiffness to the tune of 21% at the headtube junction and 13% at the bottom bracket, while new shape integration delivers 14-watt improvement in aerodynamics. The BB has been lowered, with a 72mm drop, with the oversized frame section rising up in a D-shaped flatback seattube that carries to the top. The accompanying D-shaped Aero seatpost features a new rear fastening system, hidden by a rubber fitment that covers the entire junction, protects from moisture and grime. The seattube/seatstay cluster exits out the back with a flattened section that adds torsional stiffness before reducing into the thin, vertically compliant stays the R-series bikes are known for.

The lowered bottom bracket, longer reach, lower stack, and shorter headtube of the R5 lengthen and drop the cycling position weights and centers the rider and bike perfectly, and 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 match. 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 embraced that 25-28mm road tires can be fast, aero, and reduce road vibration and impact.

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. One of the engineers' driving tasks with the R5 was to develop the rim and disc brake versions, to be as close as possible in fit, function, feel, and frame performance allowing pro cyclists to move between them with ease based on bike choice.

SRAM's Red 22 eTap is known for it's light weight, overall performance, super clean installation and easy set-up. The slim and efficient Red e-Tap shift-brake levers for the cable actuated rim braking system elicit feel and control with any hand size. Braking itself is smooth, powerful, and reliable with the Red lightweight brakeset. The Red 22 crankset and cassette provide a great platform to show off the smooth and precise eTap shifting. This is the lightest standard groupset you can buy, making it a perfect match for the stunning R5 frameset.

Cervelo opted for a wide-ranging 11-speed drivetrain with the 52-36 crankset and the 11-28 cassette. The wheels are supplied by DT Swiss; the lightweight carbon PRC 1450 Spline 35 equipped with Continental GP4000s II 700x25mm clincher tires. Cervelo supplies the square back SP18 carbon seatpost and updated Carbon Stem. The carbon theme continues with the is the Cervelo Carbon AB06 Aero bar- finished with Cervelo bar tape. An Italian-made ASTUTE Skyline Lab saddle looks new and fresh, bring a smart design and construction to the saddle world. Finally Cervelo provides an FSA IS-2 headset for the full carbon R5 Fork with the tapered 1⅛" to 1½" steerer tube. The quick release 100/130 standard road hub dropouts make for fast wheel changes when seconds can determine the winner- and everyone else.

The finish of this 2019 Cervelo R5 SRAM eTap Bicycle features a subtly beautiful matte Navy blue dominant color that is accentuated by red logos and some use of orange on the fork. It's different and distinctive in a pleasant way and stealthily reinforces the race pedigree of this incredible bike. Fast, smooth, ultra-responsive with handling and feel a pro can masterfully dictate, and simply maximizes the experience for the rest of us.