I’ve been getting ready to upgrade my S1 to an S5, but it seems that my bikeshop has just dropped Cervelo. They want me to ride the EVO for them instead. Obviously this is a light frame at 695 grams and is more meant to be a competitor to the R5. Does anyone know the aero penalty I would be taking?
Couple things of note:
-This is a bike for road racing (cat 2)
Why weight matters to me: I do a couple hill climb ITTs a year. I also race some road races that are always decided on a steep mountain climb.
Why aero matters to me: It is always a benefit. I’m often in long breaks. (might as well pack it in if I’m in a field sprint.)
I can fit either bike and I’m not worried about “feel” or stiffness of either.
So, I guess mostly I’m interested if anyone knows or wishes to extrapolate aero properties of the EVO.
.
you know you almost get a good answer to your question, as one of the magazines did a test with the supersix and S3 included in the comparison, and the supersix did not too bad really.
the problem was that the bikes did not have cables installed, and the supersix is an external cable bike!
if we believe the Cervelo white paper:
“Up to 300 grams less drag than typical road bikes.”
Its probably not quite that much, as I think the supersix does have some considerations towards aero in its tube shapes from looking at it. So maybe call it 150-200g of drag?
Sounds like with your local races and shop deal the supersix would make sense.
here is the comparo, it got a lot of people talking because the supersix was better at 0 yaw than the s3, which seems impossible (the supersix head tube is like 9 feet wide)
If I’m reading this right, at 10 degree yaw it shows 12 gram difference and at 15 yaw a 16 grams.
So without cables we are talking 1-2 watts from the S3?
If you’re racing for a shop, then you should probably ride what they want you to. And I’d bet you’re getting a honey deal on the EVO and would not on the S5.
If I’m reading this right, at 10 degree yaw it shows 12 gram difference and at 15 yaw a 16 grams.
So without cables we are talking 1-2 watts from the S3?
I don’t think that y axis is in grams, are you converting?
y axis is in CDA with around a .1 difference at 10 degrees of yaw which would be ~100g difference
If you’re racing for a shop, then you should probably ride what they want you to. And I’d bet you’re getting a honey deal on the EVO and would not on the S5.
Bob
My thoughts exactly. We all know that aerodynamics matter less (not don’t matter, but matter less) in road racing. If you have a sponsorship agreement with this shop, I would simly race the EVO as requested. The reality is that you will likely never notice the difference.
We all make compromises on the Alter of Performance. Cost, sponsorship, color, fit etc. All these things factor into our purchasing decision. Otherwise we would all be riding the same bikes…
Funny thing in my case, I was riding a Cervelo and was offered a deal to ride for my local Specialized shop. I was reticent, however, with access to the best fitter in Baltimore and extensive product knowledge, I was actually able to go faster on my Specialized than on my Cervelo.
Now that said, if the EVO doesn’t foot very well, then that’s another matter. But all things being equal, I’d go EVO.
TT bike or road bike?
specialized’s tt bikes are as good as cervelos =)
road bike? how did you measure it?
Funny thing in my case, I was riding a Cervelo and was offered a deal to ride for my local Specialized shop. I was reticent, however, with access to the best fitter in Baltimore and extensive product knowledge, I was actually able to go faster on my Specialized than on my Cervelo.
Now that said, if the EVO doesn’t foot very well, then that’s another matter. But all things being equal, I’d go EVO.
P2 vs. Transition…And the test was comparing year over year results on the same courses. For once race specifically (Eagleman 70.3) the weather and conditions were almost exactly he same and I was .8 mph faster on the Transition. Fitness benchmarks were equal.
Having access to the fitter was key since we could keep making little adjustments here and there to dial the bike in properly.
it was totally the 5g drag improvement from the frame upgrade
P2 vs. Transition…And the test was comparing year over year results on the same courses. For once race specifically (Eagleman 70.3) the weather and conditions were almost exactly he same and I was .8 mph faster on the Transition. Fitness benchmarks were equal.
Having access to the fitter was key since we could keep making little adjustments here and there to dial the bike in properly.
Having raced on an S3 and a SuperSix (also as a Cat2) and won races on both (HUMBLEBRAG!!), I can tell you that you feel the difference-
If you like breakaways (as I do) you can definitely feel the drag of the Cannondale. Once you get that S3 up to speed, it’s more willing to stay there without fighting you too much. The Cannondale needs to be worked more.
But-the Super6 just felt more like a race bike-crisper, jumpier, awesomer.
I can’t speak to the differences between the Evo and the S5 but I’d imagine the experience is the same.
I do have other options though. I could race for another shop I know that carries specialized and ride the venge.
I have a long relationship with my current shop and it sucks they dropped Cervelo. ~150 grams of drag might be more than I am willing to mentally dismiss though.
If you’re racing for a shop, then you should probably ride what they want you to. And I’d bet you’re getting a honey deal on the EVO and would not on the S5.
Bob
My thoughts exactly. We all know that aerodynamics matter less (not don’t matter, but matter less) in road racing. If you have a sponsorship agreement with this shop, I would simly race the EVO as requested. The reality is that you will likely never notice the difference.
We all make compromises on the Alter of Performance. Cost, sponsorship, color, fit etc. All these things factor into our purchasing decision. Otherwise we would all be riding the same bikes…
Actually, the S5 is a livelier frame than the Evo. I prefer both the R5 VWD feel and the S5’s to the Evo, it’s almost too smooth. In terms of weight, the Evo is heavier than 695 grams. And if you’re going to be in breaks a lot, the S5 will help at least 15 Watts compared to the Evo. That’s a big deal. As for climbing, the S5 isn’t far behind. If you were to truly dedicate a climbing bike, I’d go for a R5 VWD. But honestly, the aero is going to help you big time for an end of stage sprint or breaking away
