Cervélo R5-CX – New At ERIK’S 

In 2007, Cervélo made their first cyclo-cross bike for Jonathan Page.  He ended up standing on the podium at the World Cup! Unfortunately, that frame never made it into production. Since then, the great minds at Cervélo have wanted to revisit the cross bike but have kept it on the back burner… until now! Or last fall? Who’s counting anyway? 

Say hello to the new Cervélo R5-CX.  This bike was developed for Marianne Vos and Wout van Aert to race on during the 21-22 cross season and is now being released to the public! Naturally, the R5-CX draws inspiration from the R5, but with some changes to make it the ideal cross bike: a higher bottom bracket (BB) to improve handling and obstacle clearance, threaded BB for easier maintenance, and a D-shaped seatpost. The R5-CX will be available as a complete build or frameset. 

Seatpost & Frame 

The D-shaped seatpost was a specific request from the racers the bike was designed for. One great advantage to this post is that it adds compliance, adding comfort to those bumpy sections of the course, and allows you to ride longer and harder. The D shape also keeps the saddle straight in the event of a crash. Paired with the double seatpost clamp, seen above, your saddle will stay exactly where you want it.  

All cables on the bike are internally routed and the frame is only compatible with electronic drivetrains to limit water and dirt ingress ensuring top-notch performance, no matter the conditions. Even on the muddiest of days, the ample tire clearance means you don’t have to worry about stopping to clear it out allowing you to keep riding. 

Bottom Bracket Tweaks 

One area of the bike that differs the most from its cousin, the road-oriented R5, is the bottom bracket area. The bottom bracket on the R5-CX is 11mm higher than the R5. This improves handling and helps get over those tricky obstacles.  

Another major change is that the BB is threaded into the frame, unlike the R5’s press-fit design. This helps with the maintenance, cleaning, and longevity of the frame. As any cross racer knows, dirt can and will get everywhere on the bike. Making the bottom bracket easier to remove, clean, and service means more miles you can enjoy riding on your bike. 

Beautiful Finish 

As we mentioned in the beginning, this bike will be available as a complete build or as a frameset. The entire build will be available in the Frost (white) color, as seen above. It will feature a Cervélo carbon frame & fork, SRAM Force AXS 12-speed drivetrain with a power meter, and Reserve 40/44 wheels. The framesets will be available in Frost as well as two additional colors: Five Black and Moon Drop Camo (purple and black). 

Cross Is Coming! 

The Cervélo R5-CX is here! Ready to hit the course or just your favorite loop? Stop by your local ERIK’S or check them out online at shopERIKS.com!