Looks great, what's the full spec?
It's 20+ years since I last purchased an off-the-shelf bike. I have a good general idea of the components so a new bike is a question of sourcing a suitable frame and then building it to my spec. This is the replacement for my beloved Cervelo C3, ten years old now. She will become the dry weather winter bike. Cervelo are expensive but after a lot of research and soul-searching I decided the only option was to go again with Cervelo. I simply love their bikes. I haven't ridden the new one yet but the moment I stood next to her yesterday I knew I'd made the right decision. For me bikes are a very emotional thing. There is an element of future-proofing in this build, at 71 it's probably my last "manual" bike purchase. I expect to be riding her in 10 years. Anyway, the spec.
Frameset: Cervelo Caledonia 5 - 51cm
Groupset: GRX 12 speed di2 48/31 and 11/34 (gotta get the old man up those Lancashire hills!!)
Chain rings: Rotor Q Ring (I've ridden oval rings for years)
Wheels: DT Swiss GRC 1600 (essentially a carbon gravel wheel to accommodate 32mm tyres and in future 35mm)
Tyres: Continental GP 5000 S TR (tubeless)
Pedals: Favero Assioma SPDs with power meter (new for me, a bit of fun really - my buddies insist I should try!!). The pedals aren't fitted yet
Saddle: Fabric something or other!!
Bottle cages: Arundel carbon
My criteria was a comfortable, quick summer bike suitable for 60/70 milers and long days out, 120ish. I need a bike that will respond when I ask it to. Club rides are often with guys 15 - 20 years younger. They accelerate hard from junctions and corners, I need a bike that responds when I give it a kick or I have to flog myself for miles to get back on. Finally I love to ride hills but it's getting harder, especially since the RTC, hence the GRX groupset to get a happy combination of speedy rolling rides and help with climbing. I think this build will tick all those boxes.
This was a big investment but she comes with little refinements I hadn't anticipated but I guess a quality brand should offer. The thru' axles have an insert to take mudguards, detachable mudguard mounts, detachable QR lever, no more carrying a 6mm Allen key, in-frame storage, two beautifully designed bags for in-frame storage, GPS mount with inserts for Garmin or Wahoo, front and rear light mounts. All very cleverly designed and should mean no more elastic bands................when I finally work it all out!! These little "extras" go quite a way to the feeling it's a good choice.
