The Cervélo R5 has long been the bike of choice for climbers, attackers, and riders who demand a machine that feels alive beneath them. It has been ridden to glory on the steepest ramps of the Tour de France, where featherweight agility and rock-solid stiffness decide the outcome of the day. But in its latest iteration, the R5 is more than just a pure climber’s bike—it is a complete racing platform, lighter, stiffer, and more finely tuned than ever before, engineered to meet the demands of modern road racing. The R5 Force AXS build takes this chassis and pairs it with SRAM’s proven 12-speed wireless electronic drivetrain, creating a bike that feels every bit as explosive as its predecessors but with a level of refinement, integration, and adaptability that pushes it firmly into the future of performance.

At the core of the R5 is Cervélo’s advanced carbon engineering. The frame weighs just 703 grams, with a 329 gram fork, making it one of the lightest disc-brake road frames available. This reduction in weight has not come at the expense of stiffness or handling. Cervélo re-examined every tube profile, junction, and carbon layup, delivering a bike that is not only lighter but also 21% stiffer at the head tube and 13% stiffer at the bottom bracket compared to the outgoing model. Out of the saddle, the R5 feels immediate and responsive, every watt channeled into forward motion. On descents, the increased torsional rigidity through the head tube translates to sharper handling and greater confidence when tipping into a corner at speed.

While the R5 has never been about aero-at-all-costs—that role belongs to the S5—Cervélo has applied lessons from its aerodynamic platforms here. The updated D-shaped down tube and refined seatpost reduce drag while ensuring seamless integration with the frame. Bottle placement has been optimized for smoother airflow, and the D-shaped carbon seatpost includes a hidden wedge clamp to reduce turbulence. The result is a bike that saves watts on rolling terrain without sacrificing its climbing soul.

Where the R5 chassis sets the tone, the SRAM Force AXS build defines its character. The bike features a 48/35T SRAM Force E1 crankset with a built-in Quarq power meter, paired with a 10-33T cassette. This combination delivers the low-end gearing needed for brutal alpine climbs, while still offering tightly spaced gears for fast-paced racing and group rides. The 48x10 top gear is larger than a traditional 53x11, ensuring no shortage of speed on the flats or in descents. SRAM’s eTap AXS shifting is intuitive and lightning-fast, operated wirelessly through customizable shifters. With no cables to stretch or housing to wear, the system maintains its precision season after season. Stopping is handled by SRAM Force HRD hydraulic disc brakes with Paceline Center Lock rotors, known for their smooth modulation and control on technical descents and aggressive pack riding.

Cervélo pairs the R5 Force build with Reserve 34|37 tubeless-ready carbon wheels, laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs. The asymmetric depths—34mm in the front, 37mm in the rear—strike a perfect balance for the R5’s mission, shallow enough to stay light and agile in the mountains, but deep enough to deliver aerodynamic efficiency on flatter terrain. With a wide internal width, they pair seamlessly with 26mm tires, ensuring low rolling resistance and supple ride quality. Wrapped in Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR tires, the system is race-ready straight out of the box, blending speed with grip for confidence in all conditions.

The cockpit is all business, built around Cervélo’s one piece HB18 carbon bar stem combo, combining low weight with stiffness and precise handling. The Prologo Nago R4 PAS saddle provides ergonomic support for long days in the mountains, while the D-shaped carbon seatpost integrates seamlessly into the frame to complete a package that is performance-focused down to the smallest detail.

On paper, the R5 Force AXS build is a climber’s dream: light, stiff, and fitted with a wide-range drivetrain. But on the road, it is the subtleties that make it special. The carbon layup offers compliance where it matters, filtering road buzz without dulling the bike’s lively feel. The geometry is tuned for all-day racing comfort, with a stack and reach that keep riders aggressive without being contorted. After hours in the saddle, the R5 feels as precise as it did at the first pedal stroke.

This is not a bike about one single number or feature—it is about the way all the details come together to create a race machine that is razor sharp yet forgiving, explosive yet stable. It is the bike you would want for a summit finish, the cobbled bergs of Flanders, or a long training day where compromise isn’t an option. With its proven chassis, refined handling, and SRAM’s cutting-edge wireless drivetrain, the Cervélo R5 Force AXS represents the pinnacle of modern climbing bikes—an uncompromising machine built for the demands of WorldTour racing and perfect for riders who want a piece of that performance on every ride.