Cervelo R5 Video Review

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

CMcGrew
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 8:18 pm

by CMcGrew

I run a YouTube channel about cycling and did a real world review of the R5, which I own and have put about 7000 miles on. Unlike bike shop videos, I go beyond the specs and try to give you an idea of what it's really like riding and owning this bike. Hope this video helps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddKPD0vefUA

Cheers!

User avatar
lrdunc
Posts: 340
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 4:45 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

by lrdunc

Great video, thanks for sharing. I would watch more of these (I subscribed).

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
iliedanila
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 7:30 pm
Location: Romania

by iliedanila

Cool job. It's so nice when you get feedback from guys like us, because like in this particular case, I was living under the impression the R5 is very comfy, endurance like bike. Cheers!

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

mimason
Posts: 654
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:43 pm
Location: Florida

by mimason

Comfort is a relative term. The R5 is an elite race bike. It is stiff and too harsh for those that think a bike should ride like a full suspension MTB. I've corrected people for saying the F8 is harsh....its not but I guess it really is for someone else.... He was objective enough to share the difference between what riders may expect.

Good review. Consider sharing in the video the brand of after market adapter you chose.

goodboyr
Posts: 1483
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:56 pm
Location: Canada

by goodboyr

Interesting review. Just a question on the fit of that bike. It looks like you've got the seat all the way forward on the rails, and a long stem. You commented about twitchiness which might be due to your positioning.....

fromtrektocolnago
Posts: 1145
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 10:15 pm

by fromtrektocolnago

nice video, but since you did the review on your own bike how do you expect to follow up with other bike models?
Colnago C-59 (Dura Ace)
Firefly(Ultegra)
Colnago C-64 disc(ultegra) with Bora 35 wheels

mariovalentim
Posts: 225
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2015 2:03 am

by mariovalentim

mimason wrote:Comfort is a relative term. The R5 is an elite race bike. It is stiff and too harsh for those that think a bike should ride like a full suspension MTB. I've corrected people for saying the F8 is harsh....its not but I guess it really is for someone else.... He was objective enough to share the difference between what riders may expect.



I agree that some brands put comfort low in their list of priorities when it comes to "elite race bikes", however there are brands that never forget about this quality and build frames that tick most boxes. From most of the reviews the Bianchi Specialissima, Canondale Supersix Evo HM, Trek Madone, Canyon SLX are all "confortable" rides, so I wouldn't correct people for saying othetwise.

spartan
Posts: 1747
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 2:52 am

by spartan

excellent review.

honest. refreshing.

i used to own a cervelo r3 first generation. when they went proprietary bb garbage i left the brand. i am also surprised cervelo still have issue with finish quality of the frames. they charge pinarello prices but the finish quality is similiar to chinarellos LOL.

i will subscribe to your channel. request wheels/tire reviews
Current Rides:

2023 Tarmac SL7 Di2 9270
ex 2019 S-works SL6
ex 2018 Trek Madone SLR Disc
ex 2016 Giant TCRAdvanced Sl
ex 2012 Trek Madone7

CMcGrew
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 8:18 pm

by CMcGrew

Great feedback everyone, and I'll do my best to answer the questions. For the bottom bracket, I installed a BB Infinite module. It was pricey, but well worth it. Those guys make a hell of a BB. I've used one in a Cannondale BB30 and now on the R5 PF 30. Going forward, this will probably be a mandatory upgrade on any bike I own. Not only does it remove the creaks, it greatly reduces friction.

Geometry - you're probably right about my position. For me, having the saddle slammed forward and being out over the front wheel helps me squeeze a bit more power, probably at the cost of handling quality. However, when I test rode the bike with the stock setup, it was just as twitchy. It's neither good or bad, just a quality of the bike.

For other bike reviews, I'm aiming to have some guest reviewers on the channel to help give a bit of insight into different bikes. Even better would be to have a LBS lend me a bike for say a month so I can do a real world review. Not that the bike shops can't give you good info, it's just they probably don't have the time or energy to deep dive into it.

And finally, I think the last comment mentioned wheel/tire reviews. For sure, I plan on adding those as well. These videos take heaps of time to film and edit, and the backlog keeps getting bigger but I'll try my best to get these done. I would rather have fewer videos though if it means I can have time to be as frank and honest as possible. The whole point is to help people make informed decisions on the ways I couldn't because it's hard to find videos like that! I'll try to remember to post to this forum when I upload a video, and subscribing is also a good way to stay current.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone!

CMcGrew
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 8:18 pm

by CMcGrew

iliedanila wrote:Cool job. It's so nice when you get feedback from guys like us, because like in this particular case, I was living under the impression the R5 is very comfy, endurance like bike. Cheers!

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk


I only wish it were my job, that way I could make more videos! Unfortunately my day job is constantly getting in the way of cycling.

CMcGrew
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 8:18 pm

by CMcGrew

spartan wrote:excellent review.

honest. refreshing.

i used to own a cervelo r3 first generation. when they went proprietary bb garbage i left the brand. i am also surprised cervelo still have issue with finish quality of the frames. they charge pinarello prices but the finish quality is similiar to chinarellos LOL.

i will subscribe to your channel. request wheels/tire reviews



How do you like the Emonda ALR? I've been seriously considering getting one for a crit bike. You can't beat the price for that sort of bike with an Ultegra setup.

exctasy
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:34 am

by exctasy

nice vid!
Cant wait for mine to be built up!

User avatar
zappafile123
Posts: 655
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:24 am

by zappafile123

Nice insider info on the issues with the paint job, the rotor crank and so forth. That real world information is valuable.

If I have one criticism of your review, its that you kinda failed your brief of describing 'what its like' to ride the bike. You did exactly what bike magazines do, you said 'its light, its stiff', but didnt didnt go that extra step and characterise how those properties manifest in a way that individuates the bike. Pretty much all flagship racing bikes produced these days are stiff. I havent ridden one thats not stiff. So by just saying "its stiff" you're using a description that can be applied to pretty much every bike on the market. You need to dig deep and find the right sort of language to allow people to visualize the properties of the bike.
For example, different parts of the bike can be stiff in different ways. The pedalling platform on the R5 feels really solid such that you dont lose the sense of where your foot is in space at the bottom of the pedal stroke. When you mash on the pedals it has that instant get up and go, like it has lift. The fork dulls out low frequency buzz moderately well but over chip n' seal the stiffness of the fork creates a high-frequency buzz through your hands bla bla bla
FactorOne|SartoSeta|StorckF.3|Enigma EliteHSS|SworksSL6|ColnagoC60/V3Rs|DeRosa Protos|BianchiXR4/2|BMCSLR01 16|Cdale EvoHM|Focus IzMax|RidleyHe SL/SLX|BH Ulight|BassoDiamante|Scapin DyseysS8|TimeRXRS/ZXRS|TCR SL|RidleyNoah|Look585|CerveloS5/S3

L3X
Posts: 348
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:39 pm

by L3X

Nice review, pretty honest as well! Obviously some of the comments, for instance the harshness on some road surfaces, might be due to the wheelset/tires as well - bit hard to account it to the frame 100% or did you have the same with the original wheels? Paint was an interesting point, if sitting on you toptube actually caused the damage I'd never consider buying a Cervelo as that is just insane imo.

Keep up the video's though, liked your video on the trip to Austin as well! :) For future videos I agree with zappafile123 as well, try to stay away from the 'light, stiff' comments or any other comment that can be applied to any proper modern bike. I value the real life stories a lot more as well.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Cyclelogue
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed May 11, 2016 2:39 pm

by Cyclelogue

zappafile123 wrote:Nice insider info on the issues with the paint job, the rotor crank and so forth. That real world information is valuable.

If I have one criticism of your review, its that you kinda failed your brief of describing 'what its like' to ride the bike. You did exactly what bike magazines do, you said 'its light, its stiff', but didnt didnt go that extra step and characterise how those properties manifest in a way that individuates the bike. Pretty much all flagship racing bikes produced these days are stiff. I havent ridden one thats not stiff. So by just saying "its stiff" you're using a description that can be applied to pretty much every bike on the market. You need to dig deep and find the right sort of language to allow people to visualize the properties of the bike.
For example, different parts of the bike can be stiff in different ways. The pedalling platform on the R5 feels really solid such that you dont lose the sense of where your foot is in space at the bottom of the pedal stroke. When you mash on the pedals it has that instant get up and go, like it has lift. The fork dulls out low frequency buzz moderately well but over chip n' seal the stiffness of the fork creates a high-frequency buzz through your hands bla bla bla


Great point, and the constructive criticism is much appreciated. Plus, your last couple of sentences are spot on when describing the R5. I'm filming a review on the Enve wheels this weekend and will for sure keep that in mind when writing it. Thanks a ton for the feedback!

Post Reply