Cervélo Caledonia-5 Review: Why I Bought This Bike
When I saw the release of the new Cervelo Caledonia-5 for model year 2025, I looked at the specification in depth and decided it was a great bike for me. It's no secret I change my bike often (perk of the job), but I decided the Caledonia-5 ticked a lot of boxes.
Cervélo has long been known for producing high-performance road bikes that excel in aerodynamics and racing pedigree. With the Caledonia-5, the brand extends its influence into the endurance market, merging its signature speed with comfort, stability, and versatility for long-distance rides. The new Caledonia-5 is the latest iteration of the Caledonia line and represents the pinnacle of Cervélo's efforts to design a bike that can perform on a variety of surfaces while still providing the speed and agility riders expect from the brand.
I've been riding the bike for a few months now so felt it was time to use my experience to help you determine if the Cervelo Caledonia-5 is the right fit for your cycling needs.
I have been riding the bike with SRAM Rival eTap AXS, a groupset I am fond of for it's value for money - I think it is a great bang-for-buck option for anyone wanting electronic shifting at an entry price point. As with all my bikes, I have changed a few components including the bar/stem and adding a power meter chainset. I also have some nice carbon wheels I ran through the summer, before changing back to the alloy stock wheels. I'll touch more on this later, as I think this is the most versatile bike I have ever ridden.
The SRAM Rival bike comes with carbon bar and stem, which is a nice addition, and some really nice 32mm Corsa N.EXT TLR tyres. Worth noting the 58cm I ride came with 42cm bars, which is great for taller riders not wanting super-wide bars. The price for the off-the-shelf model is £5,500, which is the entry price point for the Caledonia-5 which again, we'll revisit later.
Cervélo’s design philosophy for the Caledonia-5 revolves around balancing speed with long-distance comfort which is the first standout feature for me. Many endurance bikes are clumsy and cumbersome, but the Cal-5 is a blend of performance and real-world usability. Unlike some of the brand’s ultra-aero race bikes, which prioritize stiff, aggressive geometry and aerodynamics, the Caledonia-5 is engineered for a rider who demands performance but also needs the flexibility to tackle rough roads, gravel paths, and long days out.
The frame itself adopts Cervelo's top grade carbon, used on the S5 and R5 in the biggest races in the world, but with endurance geometry. The result is a stiff, responsive bike that doesn’t compromise on comfort. It also incorporates stylish, aerodynamic tube shapes inherited from the above race bikes, meaning it looks every bit as impressive - another standout. I think the Cal-5 is the best looking endurance bike on the market.
The Caledonia-5 is designed mainly for endurance and as such, the frame is a bit more relaxed than Cervelo's racier models, with a slightly taller head tube and a longer wheelbase that provides increased stability on rougher terrain. I've adopted a fairly racey position on the bike with a long stem, narrow bars and a decent saddle to bar drop, but the bike still feels exceptionally comfortable whilst looking super-racey!
The bottom bracket drop is also modest, providing a balanced ride that feels planted during descents and stable during extended climbs. I can tell you from my experience, that the Caledonia-5 descends like it is on rails and I am extremely confident chucking it into a corner at speed.
Another standout feature is the ability to run wider tires — up to 36mm — making the Caledonia-5 extremely versatile as an 'all-road' bike or even a light gravel bike! One of the main reasons I purchased this bike is because with carbon wheels and 28/30mm tyres you have a 'race bike', and by simply swapping back to the stock wheels with a 32-34mm knobbly tyre, you can easily ride on a multitude of terrains.
The frame also boasts hidden mudguard mounts and downtube storage for long days out, making it an ideal contender for poshest winter bike of the year! Another couple of features which drew me to the Caledonia-5.
Who Should Buy the Cervélo Caledonia-5?
The Cervélo Caledonia-5 is a bike that is equally at home on the smooth roads of a 100 mile road ride as it is on gravel paths or rough backcountry routes. It delivers an impressive blend of speed, comfort, and versatility, making it an excellent choice for endurance riders or anyone, like me, looking for a bike that can do it all.
It is not a cheap bike by any stretch, but I haven't found another brand's endurance bike which features the same, top-grade carbon fibre as it's top race bike and certainly not one with mudguard mounts.
Prices start at £4,500 for a frameset (which comes with bar & stem) and £5,500 for the complete bike, all the way up to £11,000 for the top model.
I said at the start of this review that the Cal-5 ticks a lot of boxes, but that doesn't make it a 'jack of all trades', it makes it the perfect 'one bike garage'. The Caledonia-5 may well replace three bikes in your garage, and perform just as well as all of them.
As with all of my bikes, this one is for sale. So if you're after a lightly used, 58cm Caledonia-5 bike or frame then check them out here and get in touch for a great price.
To enquire on availability or speak to Luke about the Cervelo Caledonia-5, call us on 01332 841950 or contact us now.
