Sorry if this question has been answered before but I couldn’t really find a clear answer using the search function.
I already have a decent enough road bike but nothing special (Specialized Allez) and I was looking for a TT bike to up my game a bit. Now I have the opportunity to buy a second hand Cervelo S5 that has been rebuild into a TT bike:
My question is: Are there any differences between a rebuild S5 and a normal TT bike? This S5 has a new seatpost and brake and bar shifters.
Geometry is the big difference. The top tube is longer, the seat angle less steep. Since body position is the most important factor, I’d be most concerned with being able to fit correctly on that bike in a triathlon position.
My N=1. I have both the S5 and the P5. I bought the P5 thinking I would gain some time. I didn’t notice any real-world difference between speed despite a few tests (riding the same circuit on the same day on each bike with same wattage target). I was able to get into broadly the same position on both bikes. I’m sure there must be some minor differences but not worth the price tag for buying a second bike. What I did notice was that handling on the P5 was so much better generally, especially in crosswinds. However the S5 (with the drop bars) handling has better on technical descents, and being able to mix between different positions was kind of nice.
I would advise against buying an S5 jerry-rigged as a TT bike. Yes it is ‘aero’ but it is a road bike. If you’re going to spend top dollar on a TT bike, buy a TT bike. If you don’t want to spend top dollar, and want a Cervelo, buy a P3 (I also had one). It is also a good TT bike.
On a side note, is it me, or is the position setup on that bike going to have the rider putting loads of weight onto their hands potentially?
Dean Phillips switched to an S5 for TT because he found it impossible to get a UCI compliant fit on a standard TT type. That maybe isn’t your situation, but it does help explain the geometry differences.
If you upgrade to di2 then it becomes very easy to swap the S5 between road and TT.
As one poster mentioned, the one downside is that handling on the S5 will not be great when in TT mode.
My N=1. I have both the S5 and the P5. I bought the P5 thinking I would gain some time. I didn’t notice any real-world difference between speed despite a few tests (riding the same circuit on the same day on each bike with same wattage target). I was able to get into broadly the same position on both bikes. I’m sure there must be some minor differences but not worth the price tag for buying a second bike. What I did notice was that handling on the P5 was so much better generally, especially in crosswinds. However the S5 (with the drop bars) handling has better on technical descents, and being able to mix between different positions was kind of nice.
I would advise against buying an S5 jerry-rigged as a TT bike. Yes it is ‘aero’ but it is a road bike. If you’re going to spend top dollar on a TT bike, buy a TT bike. If you don’t want to spend top dollar, and want a Cervelo, buy a P3 (I also had one). It is also a good TT bike.
On a side note, is it me, or is the position setup on that bike going to have the rider putting loads of weight onto their hands potentially?
Thanks for this, super helpful to me despite being only N=1. I’ve owned a P3 and S5 at different times and at some point in the future plan on another Cervelo for tri racing - probably an S3/S5 - but am always curious about going P3/5 instead.
Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I’m going to look for a full TT bike instead of getting a half assed solution. I already have road bike that does its job so I’m focusing on the TT bike.
Scroll to the bottom for the final pics of my position at IM Germany a few years ago.
I can’t compare it to a P5, but I went with S5 since I got a really good deal and given my fit needs (needed a relatively higher stack), I thought it would be perfect. Overall, the setup was perfect and I did my fastest race with less training. The bike is light, fast and stiff. I thought I would change it to a road bike, but it’s too much hassle changing the bars, etc…Thus, it just ended up being a tri bike. I got a retul and the fit was terrific. Something I could hold easily for 112mi. I actually don’t think my fit would change that much on a tri specific bike.
I actually sold the bike this year and decided to have ONE bike - Cervelo Soloist SLC-SL from 2008. It serves as a great road bike and I can set it up for an odd triathlon here and there. Though, it’s a lot slower than the old S5 (or might be b/c I don’t train as much).
I just think the Tri/TT bike tech has changed so much the past 5 years, I want to save my money for a specific Tri bike. Plus, I don’t have the space at my new place with 2 little kids and a small London flat. I think you’re making the right choice on a tri bike. Just little things like 11 speed (which that s5 you are looking at should be ok), electronic shifting, clearance for wider tyres, higher than normal stack (I had to run a negative stem for my s5) make the S5 less than ideal.
The only caveat I have is, if your budget allows you the S5+race wheels+electonic shifting+bike fit+power meter vs. a 2nd tier tri bike without the goodies, then I might consider the S5.
