Weight Weenies

We've replaced our rental fleet with new R5's this year and every knowledgeable rider we've had on them has exclaimed how solid and steady the front end is. The performance improvement versus other frames is enough that I took almost 1min out of what was a 7.5min Strava KOM decent versus last year's S-Works SL4 - sure other factors likely contributed too, but 1min?? - the frame is definitely a large improvement versus the SL4.

Maybe there is something wrong with your particular frame, or hopefully just in the set-up as mentioned by other responders, but the R5 as a design and execution is most certainly not a noodle... in fact, it might be the best descending frame made.

I remember when my Ritchey Breakaway was acting wonky and then I realized I'd forgot to attach the coupler which holds the two pieces together: it was held together just by the seatpost (top) and friction (bottom). Had I not caught it and the two butting tube sections come out of alignment by at least one tube diameter, it would have been catastrophic. Anyway, this isn't your problem here...

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Permon wrote:Hi,

I have a new Cervelo R5 VWD, size 56. I am 185cm high, 92kg (winter weight).

From the very begining I feel a lack of head tube stiffness. It really surprised me.
Today I rode Pinarello DOGMA and I definatelly had to admit that R5 is a REAL NOODLE.

Didn't you test ride before you purchased?

Definitely check your headset, wheels. Any bike half r5 costs wouldn't behave the way you are describing. Have it checked something is wrong for sure.

If you cN't ride no hands, try moving your saddle back a bit. Weight distribution over the wheels often affect that...
I doubt its headtube stiffness. Having said all that.

Dogma is heavy but it rides nice...

Permon wrote:R5 behaves very very nervous.
Even drinking while riding by one hand is an artistic performance...
I really hate the way it rides.My previous R3 (2007) behaved more stable.

Nervousness, that is the way I would describe my R5 as well.
Previously I was on Canyon slx.
Geometry wise, head tube and reach in these two frames are almost identical, 1mm difference. So my position is almost the same as it was on the SLX.
There were 2 significant things which struck me when I swap the frames.
First, exceptional power transfer, due to the R5's gigantic bb shell. Second one, SLX rode more smoothly, it was more stable up front.
R5 is nervous there indeed. It is not a big deal, I can still drink riding one handed
It just requires more attention, imo.

Having read other comments, for the sake of peace of mind I will re-assembly the fork and headset.

I wonder if it accidentally came with a fork with much more rake, as specced on the 48/51 frames?

Headset too tight so steering doesn't self-correct properly would be my guess

In my case, lifting the frame up, front moves freely, on its own towards both sides.

Guys, thank you all for the comments!

I re-assemble the headset today. No change in R5s behaviour:(

The fact is, higher speed = more stable behaviour.
Which probably shows it is a geometry/fit issue...(?)

js wrote:The performance improvement versus other frames is enough that I took almost 1min out of what was a 7.5min Strava KOM decent versus last year's S-Works SL4 - sure other factors likely contributed too, but 1min??

How often did you do that descent?
Just wondering, because I allegedly broke the 400m WR the other day when I was out running, and tracking with Strava. The GPS was just very inaccurate that evening.

I have a 54cm R5
Stem 120mm Enve (slammed)
Bars Enve
feel stiff as you like no flex in the front at all. stiffer through the front end that my sl3 tarmac was.

Own a Parlee Z5 and just put about 200 miles on an R5. Definitely felt like the R5 was stiffer - not anywhere approaching a noodle.

How many spacers under the stem?

Only 5mm spacers under stem.
Stem is 120mm long.

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