Cervélo R5 Redefined
The Engineering Evolution of a Racing Legend
The Cervélo R5 frameset is engineered for the purest expression of climbing performance. At just 703 g for the frame and 329 g for the fork, it’s among the lightest disc-brake race platforms available. With 21% more head tube stiffness and 13% more bottom bracket stiffness, the R5 delivers razor-sharp handling, explosive acceleration, and Grand Tour pedigree.
Cervélo’s R5 frameset blends lightweight efficiency with subtle aerodynamic refinements. A D-shaped down tube and seatpost reduce drag while a hidden wedge clamp keeps lines clean. Bottle placement is optimized for smoother airflow, and the carbon layup balances stiffness with compliance. The result: a frameset tuned for summit finishes, long training days, and uncompromising race performance.
Achieving New R5 Characteristics and Performance
By employing detailed Topology studies to examine the ultimate structural tube shapes and lay-up, the team created a new distribution of carbon throughout the lay-up, tube sizes and junctions were developed that could deliver a more compliant ride without sacrificing drivetrain performance or required handling.
Moving to Cervelo’s C-Shaped fork steerer design used on their other 5-level frames, as well as redesigning the headtube-downtube junction, a complete internal routing system was achieved, with improved aerodynamic efficiency, better overall fork ride quality, and the desired front triangle stiffness. The seatstay-seattube junction was lowered, which when combined with the lay-up and engineered flex of the seatpost itself, ensured the desired balance for rider comfort and improved road feel.
2026 R5 Frameset Key Details and Features
- Frame weight: 703 g (size 56, painted, no hardware).
- Fork weight: 329 g (with cut steerer).
- Head tube stiffness increased by 21% vs. previous R5.
- Bottom bracket stiffness increased by 13% vs. previous R5.
- Bottom bracket shell: BBright.
- Frame material: Cervélo R5 carbon.
- Fork material: Cervélo R5 carbon.
- Updated tube profiles and junctions vs. previous generation.
- D-shaped down tube.
- D-shaped carbon seatpost.
- Hidden wedge seatpost clamp.
- Bottle placement optimized for smoother airflow.
