Cervélo Caledonia Review: Long Term Test | Cycling Weekly 

I have the exact same bike but in "slightly quicker red" and will also concur this is the most comfortable road bike I've ever owned, I have collected plenty of PB's and KOM's over the past 4 months thanks to this brilliant bike, Well done Cervelo.

Wout van Aert raced on the Caledonia-5 at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic a few days ago. I believe this was the first time the Caledonia-5 was raced at the ProTour level.

Great review. Would love the review to cover more affordable 105 groupset bikes for the everyday riders.

I love my Caledonia! Coming from a Roubaix it feels like so much faster, and exactly what I was looking for. A fast comfortable bike for everyday riding. Great work Cervelo and great review!

Am very happy to you coming back to objective reviews. Unlike the specialized episodes...We, or I as a viewer appreciate objective reviews as this affects our buying behavior. Thank you

This dude gives a great review. Very informative and understandable !

I've just bought one. Getting it tomorrow....CAN'T wait

Excellent review. Your comments describe exactly what I want in a bike. I ordered one today!

Excellent review! My body is starting to scream in agony after 50+ miles on my race bike from college… no longer as supple 10 years later. Can’t wait to ball out on a Gucci-spec Caledonia 5 :)

These really are brilliant bikes, exactly the type of rig I'd like to be riding.

Would love to know how the standard Caledonia compares. does the round seat post make much difference to comfort. There is quite a price jump to a Caledonia 5.

I'll be buying a new bike next year, I'm thorn between the Bianchi Infinito XE and the Cervelo Caledonia non 5, but he fact that Cervelo offers a life time warranty on their frames plus the good reviews is making me lean towards the Caledonia.

Just pulled the trigger on a blk and wht 54 105 today! Coming from a 2013 diamondback podium 3 in 105 😀

I have a Caledonia a fantastic 3 year ownership would love too upgrade too next level would definitely go with cervelo again

I’m going to be picking up my red caladonia 105, not ur spec but for a novice like me, a great start.

I have the Caledonia with ultegra mechanical, I bought the bike in February of 22, have ridden it about 8000 miles since and more than 1/2 million feet of climbing here is my take. 1. Low gear - thank your for the cassette range, we have big long sustained and often steep sections of mtn roads here in Southern California 2. The aluminum wheels that came with my bike were alright, I did switch them to carbon for more performance. But honestly I rode the aluminum rims with latex tubes for about 5000 miles first, the difference between this set up and carbon is not huge and some of my best PR are still with the Al set. 3. I Switched the rubber to perelli p zeros after a week with the original tires. 4. Handle bar was too wide for me, switched it to a narrower one carbon one at 6k miles. 5. Still using original seat and post 6. Bottom bracket failed at 6k miles, it backed itself out. Replaced with ceramic speed 7, replaced shifting cables once 8. Speed and group rides, in its current form, my bike is pretty quick. Our group ride has pro cyclists, state champs, Olympic riders, ex pros and people like myself middle aged riders. For the most part I can hang in there. But on the big sustained climbs I’m often on my own but not last. There is light years of difference between an advanced amateur and pro cyclists. It’s not the bike. That being said I would love to try a soloist to see if being in a different position would improve my performance, I’m guessing it would be marginal 9. Is this a good bike for lots of riding. Yes it is 10. Is it’s a good value bike, absolutely. Because you’re going to use it. It’s comfortable to ride and it’s not sluggish. 11.if I were to buy the bike again which model to go for? That would be the with carbon wheels/handlebars from the onset but the basic model allows for more options on handle bars widths then a proprietary handle bar so keep that in mind.

Looking at this model to compare with the Roubaaix Comp, so your review was very helpful

Nice review. Been riding my cal 5 ultegra di2 for 4 months now & agree with your comments. Tires are extremely tough to remove in the event of a puncture but apart from that no additional negatives. I like the long stable wheelbase & clean look. Though some may want a smaller cassette I for one appreciate the wide gear range. Very comfortable bike whether on a fast group ride or century. For perspective my other road bikes are a Scott addict & a ridley fenix.

Just got the mechanical version last month. I do wish the front garmin mount supported the garmin light under attachment, so I still use that setup instead.

Great review . So excited as i pick up a new C5 in three weeks after a three month wait !

I was so close to buying this bike, but I've gone for the Look Optimum + instead as budget couldn't reach the Mech Caledonia-5 model.

Nice review and brilliant bike! Small penalties in weight, aero and overall "sexiness" for huge gains in comfort, stability and versatility without sacrificing the stiff feel of a race-bike... sold!

Not sure why reviewers find it obligatory to refer to FutureShock and Isospeed as “gimmicks.” They are components like any other, and for many they add to pleasure of riding. If this reviewer or anyone else doesn’t like or need those features, fair enough. But that doesn’t make them gimmicks any more than it would mudguards or a built-in power meter. That the review holds up the Roubaix as the gold-standard for this class of bikes just makes the point.

No mention of the dodgy BB? And all the other issues Cervelo are associated with?

Getting ready to order one (exactly like your model, coincidently), to replace my 2011 Trek Madone. Thank you for the informative review, now have a better idea what to expect. Update: Just took delivery of an Oasis Caledonia-5 with SRAM Rival.

Great review but i don't get it why you didn't try better tires on it? Like some pirelli velo race sl or cinturato 35c? You might have gotten samples as well, didn't you? Even David from David Arthur channel changes tires for long term tests and he doesn't even have a huge production budget & name like you guys.

Fantastic review! Make want to go for a Caledonia 5! Thanks a lot

Max tire clearance? Not the manufacturer, but what can actually fit. Thanks

I love these long term reviews, thanks! Is the tire clearance 34 or 35? Cervelo says 34 but I'm wondering if there are certain 35s that would work.

Looks like a great replacement for my C3 when the time comes. Pretty steep price wise though!

Nicely reviewed. Thoughtful, knowledgeable, critical where it needs to be. Many bike journalists could benefit from adopting your approach and style. This was very helpful for the bike enthusiast and a consumer contemplating the next ride.

I’m going to get it now after watching your video! Thanks

Loved the review. Ordered the bike, hopefully will take 4 months.

I have the cal 5 sram force. Love the smooth ride! Also had trouble with tyre change ( took massive strength to break the bead roadside). Weight is 8.6 inclusive of pedals and bottle cage so curious as to how the reviewer reached 7.9 kg

Cheers great review. BIG QUESTION would u get Roubbiex or this… if u were 20 yrs older & 2 stone heavier!

Really nice. It must be a long cage Ultegra to accommodate the 11-34. I'd like to do that on my new Fuji SL as on steep climbs 11-30 and 52-36 for me is a bit hard for long climbs.

Why I’m seeing two diffrent type,one with internal cable n one still with some external cable.which one ist new one?

Great review!! Maybe my next bike!!

ordered the etap force version only down point I have is they don't know when I will actually get it.

Without exaggerating, THIS is a proper review, in contrast to other cycling media which mainly churn out 5 minute advertisements. Very interested in this bike as a n+1 killer. Can anyone comment on how they found building it up from a frameset?

So he rides a 56, but what is his height & inseam?

I hope this will be my next bike! I own a Canyon Endurance and I wonder how this Caledonia 5 is faster or more confortable... anyone knows ?

Went with the aspero. But this was a serious option

Great review. Looks an awesome bike. Thanks

Superb review!

Great review - but what’s with the red sox on outside of tights?? 😫

just for reference how tall are you?

Very great review 👍

As far as comfort- how would this compare to the new SuperSix?

Regarding a price point comparison between the Caldeonia-5 and Specialized Roubaix, would not the lower level Caledonia w/Ultegra Di2 be a better comparison at $4500USD? I don't know how the carbon in the Roubaix matches up against the Caledonia or Caledonia-5.

How does this compare to an R3 for climbing?

Can anyone comment on removing the handlebars for the purposes of boxing the bike for overseas events? My Roubaix is easy as the cables are all external but I’d worry about this with the C-5 and it would be a strong reason not to buy it. Thanks.

This is a genuinely well though out practical bike, mudguards, not too porky, not too relaxed, no silly gimmicks. But jesus christ the price is insane considering that they haven't put some silly suspension or some other bollocks in there. For god sake the 'cheap' model with ultegra comes with an alloy seatpost.

Great review, and makes me think that this will indeed be my next bike after it being on my shortlist for a while. Did you have any need for mudguards? If so, how did you get on with them in terms of ease of attachment, etc?

would this make a good crit race bike please any one ???

For such a long wheelbase bike yet responsive, i really cannot imagine how these two elements can gel up...

Stand-over hight?

I'm fairly new at bike riding, I currently have a Domane al 3. It's a good bike but I want to get a carbon frame bike, what are you thoughts on that cervelo Caledonia with a 105 groupset?

I’ve been riding my Caledonia with 32mm tubeless at 45 psi. That thing is so comfy and smooth it’s like riding a waterbed

I know this was briefly touched upon, but could the home mechanic easily take apart the headset and clean / regrease the bearings, or even change them if needed?

non-5 edition, 163 grams more in fork/frame - std round seatpost and not the slick bars/routing but 2K less...the real challenge like all bikes is just finding one

My Caledonia Di2 came on alloy mavics…

Yesterday I get my Caledonia5. I wanted to switch on tubeless, but after 1 hour trying to remove my tire, I quit trying. Can some tell me if it is the rim or if it is my fault?

when jumbo-visma get a win on this bike, i would say its a winning bike. LOL

Wonderful

Need more reviews 2500 to 4000...how many 6 to 10 thousand dollar bikes do they sell

Up-to-date price: £6609 - ouch! That's hard to swallow.

I’m enjoying the bike so far ru-vid.comUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA My only real complaints are the brakes and the pedals. I feel like a bike designed for bigger people should have much larger pedals and more heavy duty brakes. I’ve only gotten two really good rides out of it, minimal downhill action, and the brakes feel like they’re already going out. A larger person has more momentum, so I think this wasn’t thought through very well. Also, I wear size 13-14 wide shoes. My feet cramp up on these pedals that are clearly made for smaller feet. Since I’m not a pro rider (and I don’t think many are who purchase this bike) I don’t think that the straps on the pedal are necessary at all. None of this takes away from the enjoyment I get from riding, however. I’ll just head to a bike shop to improve on a few things.

I sad huhu. Wanna have those bike

Long time review for cyclist hipster: 7 months for a 5000£ bike Long time review for normal people: 5 years for a 1500£ bike.

You are talking mm in frame differences. 30mm rubber and tyre pressure make the biggest difference. What was your psi? Solid review. I personally would never buy a Cervelo. Seem to be followers than leaders. IMO.

I think a better comparison for this bike is the Specialized Aethos

An opinion and experience of one person does not represent the opinions of many

It's actually pronounced as a Ch in Cherry, so "Ch"ervelo, and it means brain in italian ;)

mantap 👍👍👍👍i like kalcer5

“If I owned this bike...” Hate to break it to you, but if you only rode 1 bike for 7 months and you also rode it in a 500 mile event, you essentially own that bike.

It is a shame that disc brakes ruined the look and the aerodynamic of the bicycles. 😞 The biggest marketing scam in the history of bicycles.

Save your money and get a giant defy. Everything he just said applies to the giant. Much cheaper.

Because chain stay length, steering rake and trail have nothing to do with handling .... Those Specialized Roubaix's sure are a nice bike 😅👍

I have these wheels and they are a joke and the hubs suck. Impossible to mount tires out in the real world. I can't wait to dump them.

Just buy top frame set Time or Look and buil up ten times better and 50% cheaper bike : )

'embarrassing' to be in that big gear riding along with your friends? This is a problem with cycling trying to project machismo. It's just silly, riding a bike doesn't mean you have to suffer for validation from your peers. 🙄🤣

Looks like all the other 2021 bikes. They all look the same.

Why are the paint jobs on these so damn dull. Especially at this price point.

What about the horrible out of spec bottom bracket shells on many of these Cervelo's? Cervelo increased their "permissible" BB shell tolerance error from 0.5 mms to 0.8mms essentially so they could produce out of spec PF bottom bracket shells and still deny warranty replacements to customers with such a BB shell that at 0.8mm's off would absolutely be out of the industry spec for that press fit DD diameter standard. Insane that anyone would spend multiple thousands of dollars for such nonsense and shabby frame construction. And if they are willing to do that on their BB shell tolerances where else throughout the frame and fork are they also cutting corners? 🙂