Cervélo P5 review

The Canadian brand has a strong reputation for innovation and cutting-edge bike design, but is the much-revered P5 really worth the high price?

Cycling Weekly Verdict

The P5 rides like a bike that was specifically designed with Ironman events in mind. The geometry certainly appears more Ironman orientated with a front end that is higher than many dedicated time trial bikes. For this reason, you may want to go a size down. I can understand Cervélo designing primarily for the triathlon market; it is much bigger globally, with significant demand for dedicated TT machines only really in the UK. But, compared with cables the hydraulic brakes are a fiddle and offer no performance benefit over a Dura-Ace caliper, aside from aerodynamics Ultimately, if I had bought this bike, I would be disappointed. The ill-fitting fairing covers on the front brake feel very cheap and the lack of cockpit adjustment means that following a bike-fit, many riders will probably need to replace it.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Stiff

  • +

    Fast

  • +

    Bling

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Brakes are difficult

  • -

    Not simple enough for everyday use

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Limited adjustability of the cockpit

  • -

    Poor quality fairing on front brake

  • -

    Can’t change gear from brake levers

  • -

  • -

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Frame

Undoubtedly aerodynamic, the P5 here features a fork that is fine for Cycling Time Trials events and triathlons, but owing to the 3:1 rule is not currently UCI legal.

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