Hiding an electric motor inside a race-bred carbon frame without sacrificing the silhouette that defines Cervelo's road bikes presented the engineering team with a challenge most e-bike manufacturers sidestep entirely. The Rouvida Rival XPLR AXS answers that challenge with a design so integrated that the Fazua Ride60 drive system disappears into the downtube, leaving a profile that could pass for the Caledonia hanging in your garage. Cervelo even reoriented the battery from its standard horizontal position to a vertical configuration, shaving 25 grams of aerodynamic drag in the wind tunnel while maintaining the clean lines that distinguish the brand's road machines.

The Fazua Ride60 motor delivers 60Nm of torque and 450 watts of peak power, providing Class 3 assist up to 28 mph. That speed puts you in the professional peloton range on flat roads, and the motor's smooth engagement means power arrives without the sudden jolt that characterizes less refined systems. The 430Wh battery integrated into the frame provides enough capacity for extended rides, and the motor adds no resistance when you pedal without assist. A top tube indicator panel displays battery status and includes a USB charging port for lights or accessories, while the Road Control unit positions assist adjustment in the handlebar's drop where your hands naturally rest.

What makes the Rouvida genuinely unusual is its convertible geometry. Interchangeable dropouts rotate the entire frame's orientation, transforming road geometry into gravel geometry without the compromises that afflict typical multi-purpose frames. In its road configuration, the Rouvida mirrors the Caledonia's fit and handling characteristics: 72° head tube angle for predictable steering, 415mm chainstays for balanced handling, and clearance for up to 34mm tires. Purchase the gravel dropout kit from a Cervelo retailer, have them perform the required firmware update to recalibrate torque curves and speed calculations, and the bike adopts Aspero-style geometry with clearance for 43mm tires. Two bikes in one frame, each feeling purpose-built rather than compromise-ridden.... Read More