Cervélo Caledonia 2021

[jmfreeman535]

I'm considering the Caledonia as my easier/Z2 day bike, where I want comfort to be a little higher up on the priority list...but not to the point that it feels like pedaling a sofa through mud.

I've been using my Aspero with 28c tires for that purpose, and while it performs extremely well on the road, it's not exactly the most compliant bike out there. (I do think that the seatpost is the main culprit, though)

On paper the Caledonia sounds perfect, but if the ride isn't noticeably more comfortable than the Aspero, than it's probably not worth getting...it does look like a damn fine bike, though.

[emotive]

I'm considering the Caledonia as my easier/Z2 day bike, where I want comfort to be a little higher up on the priority list...but not to the point that it feels like pedaling a sofa through mud.

I've been using my Aspero with 28c tires for that purpose, and while it performs extremely well on the road, it's not exactly the most compliant bike out there. (I do think that the seatpost is the main culprit, though)

On paper the Caledonia sounds perfect, but if the ride isn't noticeably more comfortable than the Aspero, than it's probably not worth getting...it does look like a damn fine bike, though.

Before you buy a Caledonia invest $150 in some some supple 35mm tyres, either Rene Herse Bon Jon Pass Extralights, or if you can’t find those, Pirelli Cinturato or Panaracer Gravelkings. They will up the comfort level and not cost much in aero, certainly nothing you will notice in Z2 rides. Id be surprised if that doesn’t up the comfort to the extent you question the need for a different bike.

[jmfreeman535]

Before you buy a Caledonia invest $150 in some some supple 35mm tyres, either Rene Herse Bon Jon Pass Extralights, or if you can’t find those, Pirelli Cinturato or Panaracer Gravelkings. They will up the comfort level and not cost much in aero, certainly nothing you will notice in Z2 rides. Id be surprised if that doesn’t up the comfort to the extent you question the need for a different bike.

I have a set of 35c Hutchinson Overrides that I use for my light gravel/mixed terrain days, and yes, they do up the comfort level significantly. But I'm just not a fan of tires that wide on the road.

In all honesty, I don't need more comfort (even my R5 is fine in that department)...It's more like I'm just looking for an excusse to get the Caledonia.

[jmfreeman535]

Double

[notadentist]

GF is looking for a new road bike, I suggested the Caledonia as an option due to the hybrid race/endurance geometry probably being a good middle ground between stiffness/compliance for longer rides than we currently do. Can anyone comment on experience riding the 105 model, which fits within our budget? Is there another bike we should also be strongly considering around the $3k pricepoint? Thanks

[UltraMaraFun]

GF is looking for a new road bike, I suggested the Caledonia as an option due to the hybrid race/endurance geometry probably being a good middle ground between stiffness/compliance for longer rides than we currently do. Can anyone comment on experience riding the 105 model, which fits within our budget? Is there another bike we should also be strongly considering around the $3k pricepoint? Thanks

Hi notadentist

Caledonia looks a cracking bike, just thought i would chime in re 105 model, I have latest 105 (R7020) on my gravel bike, and I think for the money it is
pretty much the best combination of value/quality groupset out there. The only thing I would add is the shifter hoods are quite big if you are used to
say Ultegra/Dura-Ace sized ones or have smallish hands. Other options for you might be: Giant Defy / Cannondale Synapse or CAAD13 / Focus Paralane /
Canyon Endurace / BMC Roadmachine / ROSE Reveal / Scott Addict, to name a few.

[alexneumuller]

Has anybody taken delivery of one yet? Does it come with the Mudguards or does one has to order them seperatley. Or does one have to use another brands fenders?

[maquisard]

Bad photo.
Build:
Red axs full
Easton ec90 aero 55
Waiting for parts.
Also building an Aspero with Axs + Easton EA90 wheels.

Can you please post details phoros of the D-shape steerer and brake line routing? Any padding around brake lines to prevent rub and internal damage to steerer or frame?

[woodyvalentine]

It includes hydro hose tubular foam padding. I haven't gotten to the point of routing it yet. But the foam padding will likely stop before the headset. And then after the headset inside the stem would kind of be an optional one. You could just stick a foam sponge in there too if it's rattling. I used the same foam liner on my Aspero since it came with it there too. The fork isn't flat in the front and is concave. And the stem has the same concave profile. It's a little different than the Ridley one where you can use a normal stem because they have a shim to take up space on the front side. Not at home so can't take photos. I don't think there'd be any damage anywhere. And the front hose just would get taped against the steerer - so could use some there if you wanted. And since the stem and the steerer move together the hoses really aren't going to pinch much.

[woodyvalentine]

Delete - double posted

[woodyvalentine]

Here's the manual. Check out the stem and steerer profiles + routing instructions.

https://www.cervelo.com/media/gene-cms/ ... l_2020.pdf

[maquisard]

Thanks woodyv for all that useful infos

[Karvalo]

Has anybody taken delivery of one yet? Does it come with the Mudguards or does one has to order them seperatley. Or does one have to use another brands fenders?

It comes with a mount kit for classic strutted fenders. It doesn't come with fenders and AFAIK Cervelo don't make any.

[Ypuh]

Are the Caledonia and Caledonia 5 completely different bikes? They have different tubing whereas the normal Caledonia look more like an R-series and the 5 model more like an S-series, but are there any other major difference or riding experience?

[Karvalo]

Same geometry and almost entirely the same tube shapes. Cal-5 has a hidden cable system and Cal doesn't. Cal-5 has d-shaped seatpost and Cal doesn't (like R5 vs R3). Cal has threads for bolt on top tube bag, Cal-5 doesn't. Cal-5 has better carbon.