IS THIS THE BIKE YOU SHOULD OWN? The Cervélo Caledonia 5 Long Term Review
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Cervélo reached out asking if I would do an in depth long term review of the Caledonia 5 which I have been riding around on for a few years now. In this video I talk about what exactly I love about this bike and some things I would love to see changed in future editions. If you like this video please let me know in the comments as I would love to do more like this.
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The following companies (that you'll see in my content) support me either financially or with free stuff, so huge thanks to these guys for helping me with the challenges I take on:
Attacus Cycling, Cervélo, Lazer Helmets, Shimano, Schwalbe Tires, Reserve Wheels, Sungod Eyewear, Tailfin Cycling, Styrkr
Thank you Chris for this video. The Caledonia 5 is my first road bike and I've been riding it for a year or so now. I often have doubts if it was the right purchase, especially looking at everyone else's race-oriented bikes here in Singapore. I sometimes wonder if I would go faster in one of those. Your video made me take a step back and remind myself, it's a great bike and had brought me on many fun rides without issue. So yea, thanks to you - I love my bike again and shall ride even more.
I'm so glad to hear that you're loving it! It's a super bike and, if you want to go faster, whack some deep section wheels on it and it'll be awesome!
A Caledonia for you first bike 😮.
It's not about the bike. It's the mind and the legs. I made my best memories on a simpler bike. I sold it today to be able to purchase a Caledonia. I hope I get half the fun out of it as I did on my previous bike.
Very comprehensive review, I'm sure Cervelo will take on board your recommendations. Be quite happy to see more of these vids with regards to the other Cervelo models and a few of your own.
I love my Caledonia 5. Such a great comfortable bike to ride. Got it in the nice purple colour
I love that purple! It looked amazing!
@@ChrisHallRides it really does
Nailed it with your recommendations for the next iteration of Caledonia. 1. Tire clearance for 40-42 mm tires 2. Threaded bottom bracket 3. More storage options on the top tube and down tube
Thanks!
Why not enough space for 50mm tires? Heck, let’s go 70mm.
It’s a road bike for light gravel, not a dedicated gravel bike. There’s still the Aspero remember.
@@YouOnlyLiveHans you certainly have a point 35 mm clearance is more than enough for light gravel but for newbie roadies coming into gravel 70-30% ( road vs. gravel) I think new Argon, new Giant defy and old Domane with 38-40 mm clearance seem appealing just one bike to do everything but with compromises. Newbies don’t have to buy two bikes.
Had a Domane,wanted the latest Domane SLR,absolutely impossible to find one,was suggested to try the Caledonia 5 and I’ve got too say thank god I didn’t get the latest Domane,I absolutely love my Caledonia 5,used every day for absolutely everything,did the Strada Bianche Gran Fondo on it running 32mm Continental TL,no issues at all,plenty of clearance,always had Size 56 this is a 54 and again,no issues,absolutely superb bike👌
I have always wanted to do that ride! Awesome I'm so glad to hear you've enjoyed yours!
Really great review. I have now Trek Checkpoint ALR5 2019 and looking for an upgrade for something lighter and more modern. And the Caledonia looks like the right bike. Not just because of the similar geometry, but looks very good and clean compared to other brands. And here in the UK is hard to live with a race bike haha. I'm happy you are very satisfied with your bike. Didn't find any similar review like yours. Much appreciated. Thanks a lot!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! I appreciate it!
Chris, thank you for the video. I own exactly the same bike and loving it.
Could you do the video how you pack this bike for travel? Packing the bike with hydraulic brakes and integrated handlebars makes packing tricky.
I use a Scicon bike bag where you literally just take the wheels off and have never had any issues.
That was my idea of a new frame. Has to be roady feel but in the same time has a possibility to fit wider tire for nice smooth gravel. The only option on the market (to not go for full gravel or CX) was the new trek domain gen4 where you can fit 38mm according to spec (even 40mm with less knobs). Internal storage, bolt on top tube bag, threaded t47 bottom bracket so I think that would tick all your boxes
i've been considering a Caledonia so i really appreciate this thorough review. thanks!
Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad it was useful
thank you for the video Chris beautiful Cervelo
Thanks for watching!
Mounting points! Yes... especially if they are targeting a more explore/adventure type group.
🙌
super video, - nice well-proportioned bike. interesting how there are a few bikes out there than can be used for 'everything'.
Yeah there’s not many on the market but there certainly are a few
My one-two punch is Caledonia and Soloist ! Used to bike at 110kg but now 75-78kg and smaller width tires are fine with me now. I will still use my Gravel but will probably be less as soon as those two orders arrive!😅
Nice that’s two awesome bikes ordered!
You answered every question I had and more. I've been riding my Caledonia on very gnarly dirt and gravel roads in eastern Canada and wondering...am I missing out on a better experience with a different bike? But the truth is it's been excellent in every way. It handles so well, it's fun, stable, fast when it needs to be...all the things you described. That said, I'm using maxxis cyclocross tires and there's probably some room for improvement there!
Glad to help! I’ve not used them so I can’t comment but I’ve found the g one speed and all round from schwalbe a good tyre for a bit of everything
Another excellent video Chris. I’m just coming up to 2 years with a Caledonia 5. Very similar thoughts to your own, with a couple of differences. 1. I’ve had the stock Reserve wheels on the bike from new. They seem tough enough, but have proved to be a complete PITA to find tyres that can be mounted and removed without way too much effort (tubeless and clincher). 2. While I agree that it’s generally a stable bike, the big caveat I have is that the very bulky downtube makes for a unpleasantly twitchy ride in crosswinds.
I had a pretty good experience with specialized turbo cotton on the Reserve 35 wheels. Rarely had to use a tyre lever.
Usually twitchyness in cross winds is related to the front wheel as it can create steering moment… side profile of the frame would be swamped by side profile of the rider
Yep I agree with what Ben is saying here too. It’s unlikely the down tube causing that issue. Could be your tyre/ rim combination. Personally I’ve never had any issues in cross winds. I’ve also had no issues with the schwalbe g one speed set up tubeless on the reserve 35s. I can pop them off without a tyre lever
Ian also thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review. I know Cervelo has had their share of controversy in the past. However I am still a fan. I still own my first Cervelo Soloist I bought back 2005. Still looks good today and still rides brilliantly. The only thing that is not still original are the tyres and break pads. I can only imagine how your new soloist must feel by comparison knowing how good mine is! I road it through London last week and had 7 different people offer to buy it. Lol!!
Thanks for watching. I absolutely love the 2005 Soloist, they are hard to get hold of nowadays too! I've been so impressed with the new one as well. It's a fantastic ride. Incase you missed it, we did a restoration and rebuild on one of the original ones: ruclips.net/video/2ZwnklRqCkY/видео.html
@@ChrisHallRides Awesome thanks for the link will watch it now !
My dream bike …. Gorgeous. Thanks for the great video as ever Chris 👌🏻🌟🙌🏻
Thanks for watching!
@@ChrisHallRides welcome! I’d also love to see some more interesting colour choices too 👍🏻
Chris, great review and many thanks. I am torn between this bike and the Argon 18 Kyrpton Pro. Now you have ridden extensively on both which one would you recommend? How do they compare on the road, which is 'faster'. This is for UK's potholed roads specifically for audax long distance rides principally? I really like the non integrated cables in the Argon 18 but this bike does look great also. Many thanks in advance
They are both fantastic bikes but theres a few things for me personally which make me swing more to the Krypton Pro, namely a threaded BB, frame storage, tyre clearance and not fully integrated cables. The cabling is still really neat but it's way easier to maintain and chain things if you need to. I also think the geometry for the Krypton is probably what more people need.
The caledonia yes is more relaxed than many of the Cervelo range but it is still a race bike used at Paris Roubaix so it does still feel a a bit racy if thats your thing. One more thing to mention is the Caledonia has been out for a LONG time now. I have no idea if they are going to update it or not but I think the Soloist has taken it's place now a bit more. (a bit more racy geo but doesn't have all the fender mounts. It's what the pros used at Roubaix this year.)
Faster is such an pretty much impossible to say. They are both fantastic bikes. They weigh pretty similar in terms of real world weights (not listed weights on a website) that I have found for both but if you want a lightweight bike you shouldn't really be looking for a more all round bike but more of a hill climb bike like a SUM, R5, Addict, etc etc. For what I do, the Krypron is a fantastic comfortable training partner and I used it at a road ultra in January, then a training camp with semi pro riders a week later and it performed fantastic across both. I love the versatility to use it for gravel if wanted and needed and I think the internal frame storage is smart in keeping essential repair tools in one location, instead of in the depths of a saddle bag when on a long ride. Hopefully that helps somewhat? I've done plenty of ride reviews of the Krypton Pro too on this channel.
I traded in my Cervelo S 3 for a Caledonia 5, I’m a road cyclist, the Caledonia is heads up a fast road bike and super compliant, could not imagine anything better!
It’s for sure a fantastic all rounder
is there any difference from the s3?
@@timdoom Yes, believe it or not more aero, much more compliant, accommodates wider tires, I run Vittoria 28’s, had Di2 on the S3 with 11/30 cassette 11 sp, my Caledonia came with wireless SRAM e tap 12 sp with 10/36, 48/36 up front, in my opinion SRAM much better, the gear ratios alone make it a climbing machine and much faster ratio in middle gears on casesette, plus it came stock with power meter. A - group rider here, I could go on and on regarding the Cali. Good luck out there✌🏼👍
Nice allrounder, consideration for my Winter Summer, though as you say, could do with a bit more clearance, can’t fault the drop bar MTB look😎 then could be my Summer, Winter and Gravel machine. Cheers, appreciate the review.
Thanks for watching!
What stem+handlebar do you run on your Caledonia-5? There seems to be very limited options out there due to the integrated cabling. Keen to hear what you’ve done. Many thanks in advance.
It’s Cervélo’s own bar and stem that it came with
@@ChrisHallRides Many thanks, appreciate the prompt response!
Hi Chris, How would you compare the Soloist versus Caledonia regarding multi day / cross country rides, even some competitive cross country races at your own pace such as the USA Trans Am Race or the Trans Continental Race? Thank you!
Caledonia is a bit more relaxed. Soloist is still quite racy
Greatly made video mate! Share the same opinion about this bike )
Waiting for a new Caledonia now 😌
Thanks for watching!
Perfect review. Would you mind telling me which mudguards you use? Are these the original cervelo mudguards? If so where can I buy them? On the european market I did not find them yet
Cervelo never made mudguards as far as I’m aware. Just the parts to allow you to mount them. These are SKS Blummels
@@ChrisHallRides ok thank you for the info :)
Thanks Chris.............great looking and sounding bike ! Cheers
Thanks!
I'd like to read comments here on the Caledonia 5 vs. Domane SLR in terms of stack/reach ratio. I have a 2019 Domane SL 5 with a 1:51:1 ratio. Depending on the frame size, this varies, but if we're talking smaller frames, the 48cm Caledonia 5 is just 1.4:1, so isn't that quite the racey geometry? Now, I'm looking for a new endurance bike in that this Domane SL5 is rim brake, mechanically shifted, and you have to swap out all of Trek's heavy parts to get any hope of a light bike. But, for a dude like me with short limbs, that higher stack helps??? I think so? Regardless, how are people seeing the Caledonia 5 as an endurance bike but with that more racey spec?
The best thing to do would be to talk with a bike fitter about what would work best for you
I’ve had my Cal 5 for almost two years, done 13k-14k km and have no major complaints. Very happy with my choice.
Looking at “upgrading” to an S5…
Really glad to read that! It’s a fantastic bike isn’t it? The S5 would be an awesome ‘upgrade’ too
I ordered one begin september 2022 at a large Cervelo dealer. Still no delivery date in sight, lol 😂 No fancy config, sram Rival and black colour.
I hope it arrives soon for you. You won't be disappointed!
Great video Chris! I am curries as to your saddle bag and support setup. What brand/model are they? Cheers.
Thank you for watching! The larger rear pack is made by tailfin. They’re a fantastic British brand
Thank you for watching! The larger rear pack is made by tailfin. They’re a fantastic British brand p
I have both soloist and Caledonia. Indeed they are little different from each other. But I have PR’s on each. The soloist seems to be a bit quicker, but a lot depends on the legs more than the bikes here. They aren’t worlds apart in real world riding
The soloist is a shorter frame so should feel snappy out if corners for example
Nice review Chris. 👍🇮🇪
Thanks for watching!
Looking for an endurance bike which can do some off-roading when so choosing. What does the weight come in at now that you have upgraded to GRX and Dura Ace and Reserve wheels? Also interested in your thoughts on using the Caledonia 5 as a road bike with either the Reserve 40/44 or 52/63 wheelsets?
Honestly I’m not sure about the weight. It’s never been something I really care about. It’s not heavy but equally it’s not super hill climb light. If weight is something you’re really concerned about maybe better looking at an R5 and a separate gravel bike. I’ve got a set of Reserve 40/44 due to arrive for my Caledonia5 soon. They’re fantastic, even off road too. I have a set on the R5 CX
Do. She's bloody lovely!
Yours is more lovely too!
Thank you for your video. I am looking to upgrade from my C3 to a Caledonia 5, what is your opinion comparing the C3 to the Caledonia 5?
I’ve ridden and owned both. I loved the C3, a fantastic bike but I do think that the Caledonia 5 is a nicer ride and how the mudguards mount is a bit more refined from the C3. The Caledonia feels like a faster bike too if that makes sense but still very comfortable
I’m looking at this bike or the supersix evo which seems to be very compliant and flexible
What do you think?
I mainly do Shorter rides 30-50k with a few longer rides here and there
I can’t get comfy on my aero propel
I’ve never ridden a supersix evo but it’s a TDF bike so I’d think it’s still pretty stiff. The Caledonia could be a good option but also check out the Argon 18 krypton
Thanks so much! So tricky as a lot of money
Thanks for your video. What mudguards do you use? And did you have to doctor them before mounting?
Cheers
They’re SKS bluemels but the matte black ones. Super easy to fit. No mods needed
@@ChrisHallRides Thanks. Did you go for 45mm? I was looking at the velo orange hammered aluminium in black, but wasn't sure if they would fit. I'll check out the SKS bluemels. I have a Cal 5 (51) and i'm wondering about increased toe overlap with the mudguards, but the beauty of riding in the wet without crud on the bike sounds fantastic.
Hi,
Great video but can you advise if it's easy to swap headset spacers around on the 5 without having to alter the brake hose length? Can't see that there is much slack in the hose's to be able to increase the height of the stem. Also is it easy to remove the handlebars to allow packing in a bike box? hope that makes sense.
Thanks
Hello, the spacers come apart in two pieces so that it’s easy to adjust your height too. In terms of removing the handlebars it’s easy to do so but will depend on the bike box you use. There are also options to use the the soloist headset if you want more versatility
Hi Chris, thanks fo the reply, much appreciated. When you mention the soloist headset I take it you mean the stem, spacers top cap etc ? if it fits as you say then that looks like a good get out of jail card. Thanks
Andy
@@ChrisHallRides
A light bike with proper mudguards is a win
Totally right!?
Great video!
Wasn`t the R3 Mud mass produced in the form of the R2? The R2 is basically the R3 with the Roubaix-fork.
So I guess the R2 is the actual spiritual predecessor of the Caledonia :)
Similar yes but the R3 mud was actually still slightly longer and a different carbon layup as far as I’m aware
What are the mudguards you mounted?
Are they from Cervelo......?
Sks blummels
Great review
Shame the frame is so expensive :(
The Soloist frame is a lot cheaper but the geometry numbers doesen´t "fit" what my bike fitter said it was better to me.
The Caledonia 5 has a Reach of 387mm and a Stack of 580 mm
The Soloist has a Reach of 392 mm and a Stack of 565 mm
My bike fitter said i would need a Reach between 375 - 395 mm
and a Stack between 580 - 610 mm
The Caledoia 5 has both values in the range but the Soloist has 15 mm lower stack
Can the soloist do the job ?
The best advice I can say is you should listen to what your bike fitter recommends. They know what would fit best for you.
@@ChrisHallRides Thanks for the answer.
My problem is that the Caledonia 5 is a lot expensive than the Soloist.
Ok the "normal" Caledonia is cheper but outside cables ........
The soloist has better cabeling and also threaded bottom bracket.
Maybe in a couple of months the new caledonia also brings T47 BB and better cable routing
Have the Aspero,its a superb frame, a little harsh thus I added a Redshift stem.
The Caledonia looks an excellent endurance option. The one caveat…I have an allergy to integrated,proprietary stems however as they make bike fit adjustment an absolute PITA.
Unfortunately the whole industry is going down this rabbit hole of insanity.
I love the Aspero too. I've been very interested in the Redshift range too. The Caledonia does not have fully integrated cables but the Caledonia 5 does. If you also want the Caledonia 5 but want external cables, you can use the top cap that has been designed for the Soloist, which will allow you to run the cables external of the stem but still into the headset (so you could use your own bar and stem but have the cables in the frame. I think that makes sense?) and if you want, you can go into the down tube port (where the junction box is) I think Cervelo have done a fantastic job with allowing people to set them up how they would prefer.
@@ChrisHallRides
Definitely give the Redshift a trial,it makes a 38c tyre ride like a 45c without giving up rolling resistance and aero.
I have the first gen Aspero with Di2. Aside from the BBright BB it’s a gem. Very responsive but also stable due to it’s low 76mm BB drop.
You have to choose one, Aspero or Caledonia, which do you go for? Primarily road but want extra confidence when doing trails and gravel bikepacking…Is the Caledonia up to that task? 34mm seem too thin…Thanks for the advice!
By bringing in the soloist Cervelo had made the choices wide. I think the soloist will hurt Caledonia sales.
They are still quite different bikes. I haven't built up my Soloist yet and haven't ridden one so I can't say what its like to ride yet. The ability to mount mudguards on the Caledonia and the less aggressive geometry will certainly suit some people who want a bike that still looks very racy too.
Completely different bikes - one for racing, another one for endurance rides.
I understand they are different bikes but the lines are getting blurred, soloist is a mix of r series and s series, Caledonia is a mix of r series , s series and aspero. Soloist can support a wide tyres clearance too, mud guards don't matter in some parts of the world. Without soloist the choice would have been clearer to many. consumers.
@@ChrisHallRides I've also been considering the Caledonia or the Soloist. My target events are ultra-distance events such as 24-hour time trials, 500-mile races, and miscellaneous time/distance records. Weight is somewhat of a concern, but comfort is definitely a higher priority. Do you think one of these bikes would be better suited to 24+ hours in the saddle in a variety of terrain?
Jumbo Visma dropped the Caledonia at this year's Paris-Roubaix and opted for the Soloist
Great, question please: Which wheelset is shown in the video?
These are Reserve 35s which came with the bike
@@ChrisHallRides thanks once again ;)
I'd love one, but Cervélo just don't offer anything in a price range I can reach :D
Not that it's unnatainable. I think I'd just be too worried about not being able to replace it to use it.
Making sure you have good cycling insurance is a good way to help with that worry for sure
Wanted to put the new Continental grand Prix 5000 tr all season in 35mm on it. Do you guys think it could fit?
Rims have an internal width of 21mm...
I think it may work on the front but potentially tight on the rear. Hard to know to be honest
@@ChrisHallRides i will give it a try maybe. Thank you very much for your respond! :)
What mudguards do you use on the Caledonia 5?
They’re from sks
Can Caledonia-5 be suitable for mixed trails like Tuscany Trail bikepacking event? Some parts look muddy.
Yeah I wouldn’t use it for something like that. I think you’d want bigger tyre clearance
Any suggestions about sizing? I'm really just in-between 54 and 56 if I use the chart on the Cervelo website.
Best suggestion really would be to talk with a bike fitter if I’m honest
@@ChrisHallRides Makes sense. Thanks for the reply and the great video in the first place!
👍👍
Really enjoyed the video, I own a Caledonia 5 and also an Aspero and agree with you that a threaded bb would have been nice as I've had problems the Asperos bb and has been replaced 3 times and now has a bb infinite bb, the caledonia 5 bb is starting go bad and will have to replace it soon.
All of mine I’ve either changed to a kogel, c-bear or ceramic speed bottom bracket and had no issues
I would love this bike but the already expensive price along with the price increase they stacked on top for the same bike makes it just a non starter
Worth looking at places like Cycle Exchange in Kingston, UK. They have some good deals sometimes
My dream bike. Caledonia is the only bike beside domane can fit me well. Im not gifted with long torso and arms 😢
I've been using bikeinsights website a ton to compare geometries. I have a 2019 Domane, but it would seem there are more equivalent bikes in terms of stack and reach than the Caledonia. What is it about the Caledonia that fits you well? I've never ridden one, but as a guy with short limbs, I'm trying to get as much info on these endurance bikes as I can before an upgrade. My domane is apparently quite upright, second only to maybe the Roubaix. I get a pro bike fit tomorrow and will maybe get some good info, but I'd love to get some good pointers from anyone who has compared these bikes.
I lean more towards the racy side so must disagree with the wider tire and bento mount suggestions. I also ride a thiinner 28mm GP5000 tire and 11-30 cassette. I have ridden on gravel but with a bike this expensive it makes me too nervous. Easier just to buy a cheaper all out gravel bike with proper 40mm tires rather than try to do everything with one bike.
If you’re after something more racy then the soloist would tick that box. The Caledonia was designed as a bike for, in Cervélo’s own words ‘big stupid rides’ which to me is using it for ultras where you do have to accommodate the potentials of unknown such as gravel on the route. Also I think now most gravel bikes are going bigger than 40mm tyres which adds to the blur between gravel and mtb. It’s fascinating how these boundaries are blurring more and more
What is the weight limit for this bike though?
Honestly I’m not sure. I’ll ask and see if I can find out
What mudguards are those?
SKS Blummels I think they’re called
@@ChrisHallRides cool. God the same bike and planning to install those also.
I have had one on order since June 2022. If Cervelo could only ship it …
I hope it comes soon!
After waiting for almost a year and the distributor not being able to give an ETA (does Cervelo actually have any form of supply chain management?) i bought a different bike. A Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71. A different type of bike, but a good match in a bike fit and I was not really looking for bike packing or gravel capabilities anyway. It will be ready next week. Still the Caledonia looks nice!
You can't just start a video with Terry Tibbs and not mention it 😂
😅