Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
  • Get Started
    • Create Zwift Account
    • How To Get Started On Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Women’s Racing on Zwift
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Training & Nutrition
    • Racing
    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
    • Course Calendar
    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Climb Portal Calendar
    • Route of the Week Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Game Updates
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Current Models
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
      • XP Basics for Riders
      • XP Basics for Runners
      • Kit Unlock Codes
      • Master List of Badges
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List: Routes
      • Master List: Climb Portal
      • Master List: KOMs
      • Master List: Sprints
      • Master List: Rebel Routes
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Printable List of Routes by Difficulty
    • Speed Tests
    • Tiny Races
  • Women
    • Race Calendar
    • Why race?
    • Women’s Teams
    • Racer Spotlights
    • More Women’s Racing posts
  • Shop
    • Watopia Map and Other Posters
    • ZI Indoor Cycling Kit
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Get Started
    • Create Zwift Account
    • How To Get Started On Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Women’s Racing on Zwift
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Training & Nutrition
    • Racing
    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
    • Course Calendar
    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Climb Portal Calendar
    • Route of the Week Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Game Updates
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Current Models
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
      • XP Basics for Riders
      • XP Basics for Runners
      • Kit Unlock Codes
      • Master List of Badges
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List: Routes
      • Master List: Climb Portal
      • Master List: KOMs
      • Master List: Sprints
      • Master List: Rebel Routes
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Printable List of Routes by Difficulty
    • Speed Tests
    • Tiny Races
  • Women
    • Race Calendar
    • Why race?
    • Women’s Teams
    • Racer Spotlights
    • More Women’s Racing posts
  • Shop
    • Watopia Map and Other Posters
    • ZI Indoor Cycling Kit
More
    Speed Tests

    All About Zwift’s New Cervelo S5 2020 Bike Frame

    Eric Schlange
    By Eric Schlange
    September 2, 2021
    LAST UPDATED April 20, 2022
    23

    Zwift’s August 2021 update included a new bike frame: the S5 2020 from Cervelo.

    The original Cervelo S5 has been in the game since beta days, and is still a favorite among Zwifters because it’s fast. So we were anxious to test the updated S5! But we had to wait a few days after its release, because a bug in the bike’s setup caused it to not be as aero as intended. Once Zwift released their minor update, the aero rating on this frame went from 2 stars to 3, and we were ready to test.

    Here’s how the frame is described in the Zwift Drop Shop:

    “The S5 prioritizes aerodynamic performance and stiffness, making it a platform preferred by the fastest sprinters in the world. Don’t think it’s a one-trick pony, though – despite the lateral stiffness, the S5 delivers an incredibly comfortable ride. You’ve no doubt noticed the now-iconic V-Stem. Cervelo has optimized that shape to deliver the best possible performance in the wind, hiding cables inside, and making enough bar/stem/stack options to fit just about anyone.”

    The frame is rated 3 stars for aero, 3 for weight – the same as other top racing frames in Zwift. (Only TT frames get a 4-star aero rating.) You’ll have to be level 27+ to purchase it in game, at a price of 852,000 Drops.

    The Cervelo S5 2020, IRL

    Cervelo is known for unique and fast frame designs, and we know the reviews say the IRL (in real life) bike is zippy. But IRL performance doesn’t always map directly to Zwift performance, so we ran this frame through our standard tests to learn how it performs in Zwift. And the results are something racers will want to see!

    Here’s everything you need to know about the new Cervelo S5 2020 in Zwift…

    Aero Performance

    The S5 2020 turns in a faster flat test time than any existing road frame on Zwift, beating the Specialized Venge S-Works by 1 second in our ~50-minute test. The only frames faster on Zwift at this time are TT frames.

    The Cervelo S5 2020 is also 1.5 seconds faster than the original Cervelo S5.

    The S5 2020 turns in a time of 51:17.5 on our test course (two laps of Tempus Fugit). By comparison, the Zwift Aero frame turns in a time of 51:25.

    Climb Performance

    Rated at 3 stars for weight, we knew the S5 2020 wasn’t going to perform like a lightweight climber. But Zwift’s star rating system isn’t very granular – two bikes can be rated at 3 stars but have significant time gaps between them. So we had to find out just where this bike sits among the aero frames in terms of climbing performance.

    Our tests show that the Cervelo S5 2020 climbs at precisely the same speed as the Specialized Venge S-Works. This means it climbs the Alpe 3 seconds faster than the original S5 frame.

    The S5 2020 turns in an Alpe du Zwift time of 49:08. By comparison, the current fastest climbing frame (Specialized Aethos) turns in a time of 48:49.

    Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using Zwift’s stock 32mm carbon wheelset.

    Conclusions

    When originally released, this frame’s performance was so outstanding that it almost forced racers to choose it. Then Zwift released the minor version 1.16.2 update which nerfed the frame a bit – and we think that’s a good thing.

    Having it be just 1 second faster than the former faster frames means racers can select from a wider variety of frames without feeling like they’re giving themselves a major disadvantage.

    Still, it big news that the Cervelo S5 2020 is the new king of the aero hill on Zwift! We’re sure many riders will be using it to maximum advantage any time they ride flat or rolling races (routes like Crit City, Watopia Hilly or flat, Volcano Circuit, Sand and Sequoias, Classique, most of France, etc.)

    Due to this frame’s incredible aero performance we’ll be updating the following posts:

    • Fastest Frames for Flat/Rolling Races
    • Tron Bike vs Top Performers (Scatter Plot)
    • Fastest Frames and Wheelsets for Level 30 and Below
    • Fastest Frames and Wheels at Each Level

    Additionally, whenever a new frame is added to the Drop Shop we add it to our Master Zwift Frames List and update the following:

    • Frame Ranking Charts
    • Wheel and Frame Scatter Plots
    • Zwift Shopping Guide: What To Buy At Each Level

    Questions or Comments?

    Share below!

    Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike's performance relative to others may also change. We don't always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.

    Related Posts

    Facebook
    Twitter
    Pinterest
    ReddIt
      Eric Schlange
      Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
      Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

      23 COMMENTS

      Subscribe
      Notify of
      guest

      guest

      23 Comments
      Oldest
      Newest Most Voted
      Inline Feedbacks
      View all comments
      wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz

      Get Started on Zwift

      Sign Up (Free Trial)
      Buy Zwift Ride
      Buy KICKR CORE One
      Read More...

      Newest Featured Posts

      Zwift Offers Free Play Controllers To Level 85+ Riders

      Hardware/Equipment

      Join the CommuniTTTy: On-Demand Zwift Time Trialing!

      Racing

      Support This Site

      Write a post, shop through us, donate or advertise. Learn more

      NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

      Zwift tips and news every 2 weeks! Click to subscribe.

      More Posts

      Zwift Will Not Be Hosting an Elite Zwift World Series This Fall

      Racing

      Zwift Charts: Climb Portal Growth

      Routes & Maps

      Friday Night Fun Races Announced

      Events

      Zwift Releases Fitness Trends Charts on Companion App

      Game Updates

      This community-driven site is maintained by Eric Schlange and a team of Zwift enthusiasts. Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (www.zwift.com), although Zwift does provide funding to help defray site costs.

      This site contains affiliate links to Amazon, Wahoo, and other brands. Zwift Insider makes a small commission on purchases made from these links, so please shop through them to support our efforts.

      Terms of Use/DMCA Copyright Policy

      Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent

      [email protected]

      Latest articles

      Zwift Route of the Week Schedule

      Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of July 12-13

      Tiny Race Series – July 12 Routes – Lazy Race Organizer

      Popular Categories

      • Racing1509
      • Events1014
      • News833
      • Training & Nutrition712
      • Interviews564
      • Routes & Maps446
      Comment Author Info
      :wpds_smile::wpds_grin::wpds_wink::wpds_mrgreen::wpds_neutral::wpds_twisted::wpds_arrow::wpds_shock::wpds_unamused::wpds_cool::wpds_evil::wpds_oops::wpds_razz::wpds_roll::wpds_cry::wpds_eek::wpds_lol::wpds_mad::wpds_sad::wpds_exclamation::wpds_question::wpds_idea::wpds_hmm::wpds_beg::wpds_whew::wpds_chuckle::wpds_silly::wpds_envy::wpds_shutmouth:
      23
      0
      Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
      ()
      x
      | Reply
      You are going to send email to

      Move Comment

    • Related Posts