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With the signing of the partnership between Cervélo and the Jumbo Visma team, Cervélo engineers got to work on a brand new cyclocross bike to meet the demands of their iconic champions: Marianne Vos, who has 7 rainbow jerseys in her closet, and Wout Van Aert, who has 3 in his.
Source: Press Release – Photos: Cervélo
Starting from scratch, Cervélo sought to transform their preferences and requirements into a bike that has already won two World Cup victories!
Some observers may remember that this is not the brand’s first cyclocross bike. In 2007, two R3 cyclocross frames were made for Jonathan Page, who, thanks to one of them, became the first American to stand on a Cyclocross World Cup podium. These frames unfortunately never went into production, and a good CX bike remained until now in the “if only we had time” category during product meetings.
Inspired by the R5 but with its own identity
Just like the R3 Cross, the R5-CX owes much of its performance and design to the R5, with a few major differences. This model stands out for its handling and geometry based on feedback from Wout Van Aert and Marianne Vos. The bottom bracket shell, for example, is about 11 mm higher than the new R5 to enhance handling and help clear obstacles – and this bottom bracket shell is threaded into the frame. The shape and size of the BB Right bottom bracket help build frames that are often light and stiff, but for a bike that will be pressure washed and have its bottom bracket removed at least several times a week, a threaded interface is simply more durable. Therefore, a “threaded” BB Right is used, and Cervélo is the only brand to do so, without causing any problems for spare parts.
The boxes checked by the frame
The “D”-shaped seatpost (with double saddle clamp), not only enhances flexibility but was clearly a specific request from Wout Van Aert and Marianne Vos to keep the saddle facing forward in the event of a crash.
All cables run internally, and the frame is only compatible with electronic drivetrains to limit the entry of grit and water.
Ready to tackle torrents of mud, it will be available in four sizes – 51, 54, 56, and 58 cm.
The R5-CX is currently and exclusively reserved for racing (with already two World Cup victories to its credit), in sizes 51 and 58 for Marianne Vos and Wout Van Aert, but – and this is the good news – it will be available both as a frameset and a complete bike for summer 2022.
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