As the days get longer and cycling season begins it’s time to dream about dream rides. Here’s two mounts worthy of the dream.
1. 2015 Cervelo S5 Dura-Ace 9000
Last year’s S5 VWD was the fastest aero road bike ever tested by Germany’s prestigious Tour Magazine. According to bike expert Brody Isaak of La Bicicletta Pro Shop, the new Cervelo 2015 S5 is such a coveted release because the engineers have managed to incorporate all the aero benefits of the previous model, but improve stiffness and ride quality in this new version that delivers an additional 21.3 watts of speed.
The S5 features a special All-Carbon Aero Handlebar—which Cervelo said will save 4.4 watts over a standard round bar—as well as a HED Jet 6 Plus SCT wheelset, with all frame shapes designed to smooth airflow over the entire bike and rider.
“Compared to the S5 VWD, the new S5 is 35% stiffer torsionally and 6% stiffer at the bottom bracket,” said Isaak. “As a result, ride quality of the new S5 is exceptional—both handing and rider interaction with the road are noticeably improved.”
The bottom line is that the S5 is an aero road bike with all the stiffness of a modern road bike, but with even better out-of-the-box aerodynamics and no weight gain.
Price: $8,700 at La Bicicletta Pro Shop
Full specs here.
2. 2015 BMC Teammachine SLR03 105
“The SLR03 comes specced with Shimano’s superlative 11-speed 105 shifting components, with brakes and a chainset chosen from less sexy, but perfectly adequate, non-series kit,” said the La Bicicletta bike guru.
(Image: 2015 BMC Teammachine SLR03 105)
Despite this, and rather heavy wheels (Shimano RS010s), Isaak said the BMC is a top pick because its ride quality is utterly involving and the frame offers an impressive amount of stiffness that’s perfect for attacking an incline, or “sprinting Hell-for-leather.”
It’s also devoid of harshness, managing to combine a direct road feel—Isaak said think sports car, rather than family saloon—with a smoothness that belies its price point.
This is thanks to the trickledown from the pros’ version being more than just marketing.
“With a middling spec and a chunky chassis, we anticipated sluggish performance—we couldn’t have been more wrong,” said Isaak.
Price: $2,500.00 at La Bicicletta Pro Shop
Full specs here
La Bicicletta Pro Shop
233 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Y1P5
Phone: 604.872.2424
List of upcoming B.C. road race events: http://cyclingbc.net/events/category/discipline/road//
