Choose Your Weapon! New Aero Bikes

Get a Grip Cycles is the first shop in the Midwest to receive the latest aero bikes from Cervelo and Scott. We live for these moments.

Introducing: The 2012 Cervelo S5

Cervelo is introducing the S5 for 2012. Cervelo created the aero road bike segment with the Soloist and S2 models, leading to the design of the Tour De France-winning S3. Where other companies are just beginning their aero road frame efforts, Cervelo already has a huge head start. The S5 frames incorporate a lot of what was learned in the creation of the S3 and the P4 bikes. The S5’s have the dropped down tube and fork integration, internal cable routing starting behind the head tube, forward-facing seat stays and the seat post clamp from the P4. The chain stays are similar to what was used on the S3. The S5 features Cervelo’s new BBright bottom bracket and asymmetrical chain stays to add to a stiffer drivetrain.

There are three tiers of S5 for 2012. The basic S5 is equipped with SRAM Rival and is a very reasonable $3,800 for a complete bike. The S5 Team frame is an upgrade in both lower weight and a boost in stiffness. Cervelo claims a 10-percent reduction in weight (approx. 80 grams) and 10-percent stiffer frame. An S5 Team with Ultegra is $4,800 and with Ultegra Di2, $6000. Jumping up into the top end S5 VWD (Vroomen White Design) again drops approximately 10 percent in frame weight and is another 10 percent stiffer than the S5 Team. A SRAM Red-equipped S5 VWD is $7500. Going with Dura Ace Di2 costs $9000. All of these frames can be set up with the electronic shifting groups easily.

Not An Easy Build

Out of the box, these are not the easiest bikes to build. All that aero integration leads to more complicated cable routing. Thank goodness our clients will not have to worry about this step! That is our department.

Fitting the bikes will be easy as the proprietary seat post allows for both inline and offset saddle positions from the standard 73-degree seat angle that Cervelo uses on every size. The head tubes on these bikes are taller than the typical race bike. Those demanding a very low bar position will use an aggressively dropped stem. For the rest of us, it will be a lot easier to get the bars where they need to be in relation to the saddle. The dropped down tube also adds to the appearance of a very tall head tube. The bike certainly reads function over than fashion. No stone left unturned here.

In terms of ride quality, we have found it to be more stable than agile. The Team version tested is indeed stiff. No loss of energy in acceleration was noticed. This is a bike that exists for the solo break away and staying away. Bridging gaps is noticeably easier. All said the S5 is a great road race machine for less technical courses where the aero benefits can really shine. Triathletes specializing in ITU and Olympic distance races take note: this is the tool to get the job done. Add a set of clip on aero bars and crush your PR. Long or short course, if you can only have one bike for road and tri, this is the machine.

Introducing: The 2012 Scott Foil

The Scott Foil is a completely new bike for 2012. It replaces the game-changing Addict. Scott’s focus with the Foil is to take all the best qualities of the Addict and improve upon them by adding an aerodynamic component and increasing bottom bracket stiffness and acceleration. Mission accomplished!

The Foil frames add only 50 grams over the comparable Addict, but due to the added stiffness and aerodynamics, accelerate and hold speed far better. Scott was able to achieve this by carefully truncating the typical 3-to-1 ratio NACA profile aero tube and keeping the air flow separate as it goes around the bike, frame components, and rider. This shaves weight and allows for room with the carbon lay ups to give the bike great riding and handling characteristics. The head tube is now a tapered 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 inches to increase steering response and also aids in the aero dynamic shaping.

The Foil has two tiers of frame: HMF and HMX. The HMX frame sheds approx. 10 percent of weight while maintaining stiffness and ride quality over the HMF frame. The HMX framesets begin at the $7,500 price point for a full Dura Ace 7900/Mavic Cosmic Carbone equipped bike. $8000 gets you SRAM Red and Zipp 404 wheels; $11,500 is the top-end bike with Dura Ace Di2 and Zipp 404 Firecrest carbon clinchers. The HMF bikes start at $2500 for Shimano 105, $3300 for full Ultegra, and get this, $4500 for an Ultegra Di2 bike. This is real news. A sub-$5K carbon aero bike with aero Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels is an incredible deal. Please note that the electronic shifting bikes have frames dedicated to that system. One cannot go to a traditionally cable actuated system in the future on these frames.

Out Of The Box & On The Road

Out of the box, Scott Foils go together quite easily. The internal cables are routed for us already and everything is straight forward. We are always impressed at the specifications on Scott bikes. The bikes come with full Shimano or SRAM groups. No aftermarket brakes or cranks. The chains and cassettes also match their respective component packages. These things add up to a very solid and trouble free bike. It is how we would build our own bikes. In a word: solid.

On the road, the Foil is a better road racing bike than the Cervelo S5. Handling is both quicker and more predictable. Acceleration out of the saddle from a stop light is insane. The bike is extremely fast on the flats due to the aero nature of the tubes. It is really noticeable when really riding at your limit. The S5, according to Cervelo, is the fastest road frame ever tested in the wind tunnel. We believe them.

Some ride quality is sacrificed for these very real gains. This is typical from Cervelo where design and function trump all. The Scott Foil, while comparable in aerodynamics to the S5, has in our opinion better overall riding and aesthetic characteristics.

One can view and test ride these fine bicycles at the Irving Pro shop. Please give us a call if you have any questions or to set up a time for a demo.

Choose your weapon!