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Cervélo has introduced a new for 2024 Caledonia-5 with the brand’s go-to, go far, go fast, bike getting a raft of subtle and significant updates.
Caledonia-5 is built to handle long-distance, high-speed racing—with fit and handling geared toward comfort, but without sacrificing the Cervélo race bike feeling. So far, so familiar.
For the new Caledonia-5, the brand has focused on improvements that it pinpointed as being “meaningful for the people pushing it to its limits”.
In-frame storage
The most immediately obvious thing riders will notice is the addition of in-frame storage, as first seen on the P-Series. This features a hatch which has been designed to be easily removable even with gloves on—just flip the lock and pull.
As the launch announcement points out “this isn’t designed to fit a burrito—there’s only room for a small multi-tool, tube, and a CO2 canister”.
Comfort engineered in
The seat stays are dropped, similar to Aspero, which makes that rear triangle more acute, and more vertically flexible. At the same time, Cervélo highlights that “there’s a bit more downtube stiffness to maintain that pro-level responsiveness Caledonia is known for”.
The bike can now be fitted with a 36mm tyre, and every bike comes with fender mounts, making it appealing to a wider-than-ever rider type.
Aero on an all-road bike?
Here Cervélo points out that, just like any of its bikes, aero is free speed. The brand sees this being as valuable to a rider on day 3 of a multi day event as is at the start of a one-day ride. The completely internal housing and aero tube shapes team up to enhance the wind-cheating properties of the Caldonia-5. Just don’t let your gilet flap in the breeze or that rider-shaped hole in the air will undo all that wind tunnel optimisation of the bike.
Refine and enhance
Primarily, Caledonia-5 is meant for all-day, high-pace, group rides, enabling riders to take on routes featuring less-than-ideal tarmac.
Still unsure where the performance Vs explore sweet spot is? Like all Cervélo, the Caledonia-5 is UCI-approved. The latest evolution of the Caledonia concept simply takes the original design brief and adds further practicality and durability.
The launch announcement points to “bearing caps (which) are now split so you can swap between the high and low bearing cap without bleeding the brakes if you need to make a fit change”.
Hammerhead-equipped
The Red AXS build comes with the all-new Hammerhead Karoo. What will be interesting to see here is just how much long-term uptake this SRAM product pairing tactic actually delivers.
When you read “The (insert GPS device you already own) is the perfect companion for big stupid rides, and allows you to pick your preferred route surface (road, gravel) as you explore the limits of a “good idea.” – my take is it’ll take more than a bike purchase ‘value add’ to get long term fans of A.N.Other GPS brand to switch.
Reserve wheels
Developed and tested using Turbulent Aero technology, the 42|49 has been designed to “provide all-day capability with aerodynamic sensibilities”. Raced at events as varied as the Paris-Roubaix and the Giro D’Italia, the 42|49 wheels have a lifetime warranty supported by a no-fault crash replacement.
Warranty support
Like all Cervélos, Caledonia-5 carries a lifetime warranty.
In the UK, Cervélo is distributed by Pon.Bike Performance UK
