The latest blow to the struggling British racing scene comes just two months after Lifeplus Wahoo werehit by a shocking overnight raid at the Tour of Britain, when thieves targeted their base at a hotel in Shropshire, raiding their mechanics van and stealing all 14 of the squads bikes.The conse...

Do your relaxed group rides keep getting faster? Is the smooth asphalt making way for cracks or disappearing altogether? No worries! The Cervlo Caledonia-5 is designed to handle it all. We had the chance to test the latest version of this all-road weapon before its launch, and heres what we discovered.Cervlo Caledonia-5 RED AXS | 12,999 | 7.54 kg (size 56) | Manufacturers websiteThere are those rides that even die-hard roadies shake their heads at. Whether its the 1,200 km from Paris to Brest and back, the Transcontinental Race, or a wild road bike adventure with a crazy mate, the Cervlo Caledonia-5 claims to do it all. Since its launch in 2020, its been showcased as a fast all-road bike with enough comfort for those really long days in the saddle.To offer even more reserves for adventures off the beaten track, the tire clearance has been increased to a generous 36 mm, the frame has been slightly tweaked, and Cervlo have added a wealth of practical features for long-distance rides. But what about the aggressive character that its predecessor was known for? We put it to the test to find out whats changed and whats remained the same.Whats new on the 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5While not a world-first, its a new feature for the Caledonia-5: an integrated storage compartment with a flip-lock lid and tailor-made pouches inside the down tube. The compartment is relatively small, but it provides enough space for a multi-tool, spare tube, CO cartridge, and an emergency snack bar. Basically, everything that you would usually cram into a saddlebag can now be stored out of sight, yet always at hand. In terms of tire clearance, Cervlo are bang on trend, providing room for up to 36 mm rubber. Even with the new, full-coverage mudguards fitted, you can still run up to 34 mm tires winter, here we come!The storage compartment is hidden beneath the bottle cagewhich is secured by a flip-lock mechanism.The frame itself has also seen some changes: the seat stays now sit lower on the seat tube and are significantly slimmer. This is said to increase vertical compliance, absorbing vibrations more effectively. At the same time, the down tube has been stiffened for a more efficient power transfer, and to boost the bikes responsiveness.The 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5 RED AXS in detailAs youd expect from Cervlo, the Caledonia-5 RED AXS boasts a sleek and clean look, with fully integrated cables, a black finish, matte black rims, and light tan wall tires. It exudes a timeless style that complements even the flashiest cycling kit.The SRAM RED AXS is insanely good, and insanely expensive.The generously sized 1036 t cassette provides ample range for tackling steep climbs.We got our hands on the flagship model of the new Caledonia-5, which features the brand-new SRAM RED AXS groupset, which was also released this year. SRAMs premium offering has already impressed us in our long-term tests with its stellar braking performance especially with one-finger and outstanding ergonomics. The Caledonia-5 comes equipped with a power meter, a 48/35 t chainring, and a 1036 t, 12-speed cassette, providing an appropriately easy gear for those last steep climbs after a long day in the saddle.Cervelo Caledonia 5 RED AXS 2024 12,999SpecificationsSeatpost Cervlo SP24 CarbonBrakes SRAM Red AXS 160/160 mmDrivetrain SRAM Red AXS 2x12Chainring 48/35TStem Cervlo ST31 Carbon Handlebar Cervlo HB13 CarbonWheelset Reserve 42|49 12 x 100/12 x 142 mm Through AxleTires Corsa Pro Control TLR 30Cranks SRAM Red AXS E1 with powermeterCassette SRAM Red, 12 Speed 10-36TTechnical DataSize 48 51 54 56 58 61Weight 7.54 kgThe wheels are supplied by Reserve, Cervlos sister company, who have been making waves with their Turbulent Aero approach. This method focuses on real-world scenarios, taking turbulence and crosswinds into account for their aerodynamic optimization. The latest wheelset, the Reserve 42/49, features a modern rim design, not just featuring different rim depths, but also different rim widths optimized specifically for the front and rear.Asymmetrical. The 49 mm rim is 1 mm narrower and 7 mm deeper at the rear than the front.Fitted with 30 mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tires, these wheels dont make full use of the frames maximum tire clearance. However, at 320 grams each, they dont come at the cost of the bikes sporty character either.Size485154565861Top tube502 mm522 mm543 mm565 mm581 mm598 mmHead tube89.5 mm109.9 mm136 mm162.3 mm191.2 mm217.5 mmHead angle70.571.572727272Seat angle74.57473.5737373Chainstay415 mm415 mm415 mm415 mm415 mm415 mmBB drop76.5 mm76.5 mm74 mm74 mm71.5 mm71.5 mmWheelbase982.2 mm984.5 mm995.2 mm1,012.3 mm1,030.7 mm1,047.8 mmReach360 mm369 mm378 mm387 mm396 mm405 mmStack505 mm530 mm555 mm580 mm605 mm630 mmThe 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5 RED AXS on testUnlike many current all-road bikes, which come equipped with elaborate damping mechanisms and space for tires measuring up to 40 mm in width, creeping into gravel bike territory, the Cervlo Caledonia-5 stays true to its road bike roots.Whether its gravel or cobblestones,the 30 mm wide tires are the bikes primary source of compliance.The frame offers minimal compliance and relies on the 30 mm tires for vibration damping, resulting in a much more direct ride compared to those comfort monsters. The stiff down tube and bottom bracket ensure efficient power transfer to the rear wheel and keep the steering precise. This results in playful handling that suits the sportier interpretation of the all-road segment, though it can feel twitchy at low speeds. The faster you go, the more stable the Caledonia-5 becomes, instilling you with confidence on fast descents. This trait makes it ideal for fast group rides into the unknown, sporty outings, or long-distance races across varying terrain. For ultra-endurance events, however, comfort could become a limiting factor, depending on your hunger for punishment.The stiff frame of the Caledonia-5 excels on the sprints.Despite the ultra-light, race-tuned SRAM RED AXS groupset, the Caledonia-5 RED AXS isnt setting any weight records. At 7.54 kg for a size 56, its heft is noticeable when you crank out the watts to accelerate or winch your way up the climbs. Its somewhat slow to get up to pace for a performance-oriented all-road bike. However, once you reach your cruising speed, it holds it there efficiently. The Reserve 42/49 wheels shine on fast straights, providing a noticeable boost in efficiency thanks to their sail effect at high speeds.For those who enjoy winter training or commuting by road bike, the Caledonia-5 will serve as a reliable and sporty companion, thanks to mudguard compatibility, a convenient storage compartment, and generous tire clearance.The riding position is centred and comfortable, even on long rides.The integrated storage compartment is easy to use once you get the hang of the folding lid. The compartment is big enough to accommodate long items like a pump. During our test, the latch remained securely closed even with a bottle cage mounted to the lid. The snug fit of the lid and the internal pouches prevent any annoying rattling, turning the down tube into a stealthy storage space for your essentials perfect!Who is the 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5 RED AXS for?The 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5 RED AXS stands out from other all-road bikes with its aggressive character, making it ideal for those seeking a winter training bike, adventurers who enjoy fast and efficient rides, and cyclists who dont want maximum long-distance comfort. It might be a bit too stiff for road bike beginners looking for a very comfortable ride. However, for active commuters who want to spice up their post-work rides, it offers the perfect blend of versatility and performance.Helmet MET Estro | Glasses Oakley Encoder | Jersey Ryzon | Pants Ryzon | Shoes Ekoi Ultralight 2Our conclusion on the 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5Cervlos reimagined Caledonia-5 is a sporty all-road bike that thrives at high speeds. In which case it excels in terms of efficiency and composure. That said, its not the ideal choice for beginners seeking a comfy ride for leisurely outings at the weekend. This endurance bike is designed for those who want to race across the continent, no matter how rough the going gets! That is, as long as youve got the stamina to hold on.Der Beitrag All-road bike with a need for speed The 2024 Cervlo Caledonia-5 in review erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Fun, fast and comfortable race bike at an affordable price 8/10

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CyclistRim brakes are back from the dead on the new Colnago C68 Rim BrakeColnago has been steadily adding to its C68 bike collection. Starting off with the C68 Road (with disc brakes), then it was the C68 Allroad, then the C68 Gravel. Now Colnago, which back in 2013 was one of the first bike brands to offer disc brakes on its road bikes with the C59, has gone full circle and launched the C68 Rim Brake.In other respects, the new bike is the same as the disc brake C68 Road: same design, same geometry and same hand-assembled, made-in-Italy modular frameset.Colnago itself describes the launch of a rim brake bike in 2024 as unconventional, when even the likes of Pinarello have gone entirely disc brake with the latest update of the Dogma F.But Colnago says that it has launched the bike for the die-hard rim brake lovers out there. It says its now almost impossible to find a modern frame with rim brakes and it wants to be there for them with a rim brake option for its most prestigious bike.So what has Colnago done to adapt the C68 frame for its new/old stoppers? First up, theres a modified fork that will take direct mount brake callipers. Next, there have been large revisions to the seatstays so that they too will accommodate direct mount callipers.Finally, there are new titanium quick release dropouts in place of the disc brake C68s thru-axle housings. Colnago says that the metal is inert and theres no risk of corrosion between the dropouts and the carbon frame.Colnago doesnt seem to be expecting to sell the C68 Rim Brake in large numbers and says that its modular construction method used for the C-series bikes is key to allowing it to customise frames and manage really small production lots. Related Posts Colnago C68 Allroad review Opinion: Save the rim brake! Colnago C68 Road review Opinion: Down with electronic shifting! Colnagos classic bike collection Although Colnago has gone all traditional with its brakes, that doesnt extend to groupsets, with the frame compatible only with electronic groupsets.The modern standard T47 bottom bracket is carried over from the disc brake C68 too.Its only Shimano that offers you a top spec electronic rim brake option now, mind, so your rim brake dream may still be scuppered if youre not a Dura-Ace fan. If you want a matchy-matchy Italian groupset, youll have to settle for Campagnolos last generation Super Record EPS. Theres always the previous iteration of SRAM Red.Anything newer from either brand is disc brake only.Colnago quotes an unpainted frame weight of 925g for the disc brake C68 in size 485; its unclear whether the rim brake bike will match or better that, but without the encumbrance of disc brakes, we reckon a complete bike might shave a few grams off its disc brake rival.The C68 Rim Brake is available as a frameset only, including frame, fork, seatpost and headset. Its priced at 6,299.99 / $7,750 / 6,930, with a discount to 6,750 for Italians.For more information on the Colnago C68 Rim Brake, visit colnago.com Related Posts Colnago C68 Allroad review Opinion: Save the rim brake! Colnago C68 Road review Opinion: Down with electronic shifting! Colnagos classic bike collection The post Rim brakes are back from the dead on the new Colnago C68 Rim Brake appeared first on Cyclist.