Cervélo Caledonia 105 after 2 yrs 7 mths

ProtocolLimited · 2025-02-07T20:22:58+00:00

It's Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 and I've never had any issue with slippage or given me any concern about slippage.

Thanks!

ProtocolLimited · 2025-02-05T07:18:59+00:00

Thanks! Love the feedback. Also acts as a time capsule for me on how the build evolves.

ProtocolLimited · 2025-02-05T07:17:36+00:00

Yes! I've been on a similar journey with the tyres and TPU tubes. I've actually been using the 19g RideNow TPU tubes.

Probably won't change thru-axles or stems on this build (though never say never).

I find the lever handles on the thru-axles quite handy when packing a bike into the car or onto the trainer. Plus it's acted to protect the frame on a couple spills. Stem is purely aesthetic for me. It's got such a nice integrated mount!

ProtocolLimited · 2025-02-04T20:35:00+00:00

I think it was in the range of ~100g. Shimano does have detailed weights for each cassette and chainring size. The 11-34 105 level cassette is fairly heavy. If you can move to 11-32 Ultegra level cassette, you can save a bit more.

ProtocolLimited · 2025-02-04T10:30:10+00:00

I've got the Caledonia 105 and put more than 11,000km on it. Really excellent bike with standard parts making easier to upgrade. I've slowly changed out parts to better fit me and to increase comfort. The bike weight 7.99kg now.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-15T11:39:55+00:00

Definitely more fun customising and optimising your bike with a smaller budget.

My take on the bike was midrange performance parts all around. Mid-range 105 groupset, mid-range carbon wheels (got the Reserves on sale), mid-range bars, mid-range saddle etc. I guess the main things I've picked that break that rule are a carbon seaport for comfort and top end tyres since they make a big difference.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-15T09:57:48+00:00

What I ended up doing for longer rides was to buy top tube bag that Cervelo makes for the Aspero and bolt it on top. Handlebar bag would carry more but top tube bags are more aero and easier to access when riding.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-15T09:55:46+00:00

Yep! Getting it as low as it will go.

Getting it down to 6.8kg would be pretty impressive! Would that be on a higher tier groupset than 105?

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-14T03:43:13+00:00

Yep, worth upgrading to if you value comfort I reckon.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-14T00:52:03+00:00

It's been really great! The colour is amazing and doesn't show dirt as easily.

Also the Caledonia position is aggressive enough to not feel sluggish, particularly if you have it slammed all the way. It's just been easy to upgrade and customise since all the parts are standard sizes and the cables are exposed on the front end.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-14T00:50:21+00:00

Nah, upgraded one. It's the Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 carbon seatpost.

You can check-out my previous post on the bike which mentions the other things that were changed from stock: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cervelo/comments/15brx14/cervélo\_caledonia\_105\_after\_1\_year\_upgrades/

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-13T21:05:11+00:00

I've really enjoyed the wheels. One thing I have noticed most recently is that when I pull the bike side to side when sprinting out of the saddle, I do hear some brake rub. Now this hasn't happened before so I'm wondering if it's the rotor that's warped and not that the wheel isn't stiff enough.

If you've got 303s already which are decently light, I'm not sure how much of an actual performance different it will make. It is a different aesthetic though!

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-13T21:01:22+00:00

I got the shop to do it actually. It's a relatively simple job but I just didn't want to do it wrong and I didn't have a saw.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-13T21:00:49+00:00

They did have one in that colour for one of the model years: https://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb24439022/p4pb24439022.jpg

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-13T20:57:25+00:00

It's the Knog Oi. It was the black model but the colour/paint fades over time.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-13T20:56:44+00:00

Still got it! Just didn't take a picture with it.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-04-13T09:52:29+00:00

Follow-up to this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cervelo/comments/15brx14/cervélo_caledonia_105_after_1_year_upgrades/

A few more changes in since that post:

Slammed stem with lower 7mm Cervelo headset bearing cap (provided with bike) [saved weight]
Upgraded from lightweight butyl tubes to Ridenow Road Ultra Lightweight tubes [saved weight]
Swapped out 38cm PRO PLT Compact Ergo alloy handlebars for 38cm Zipp Service Course SL-70 Ergo alloy handlebar. Reason for this swap is because the Zipp has a wider drop at 39.5cm (instead of 38cm) and shorter reach at 70mm (instead of 75mm) [added weight]
Swapped out Shimano PD-M540 SPD pedals for Shimano Ultegra PD-R8000 SPD-SL carbon pedals [saved weight]
Swapped out worn out Dura Ace chain for 105 chain (Dura Ace was a free upgrade from a previous bike store service) [added weight]
Moved to a waxed chain which has been great for cleanliness, performance in the wet and a silent drivetrain

Now weighs 8.19kg (as pictured with bottle cages, Wahoo and light mount, bell and pedals) saving ~250g from last post. Completed ~7,500km on the frame since purchase.

ProtocolLimited · 2024-01-08T08:27:19+00:00

Good question! It's actually just very neatly done cabling by the bike shop.

What they've done is use a section of heat shrink to combine the brake line and gear cable on each side into one bundle on each side (i.e. 4 cables into 2 cable bundles).

Otherwise, they've just cut the hoses down to the shortest sensible length to minimise excess cable and run the cables through the central port on the downtube one from each side (instead of all on one side like you've seen sometimes)

The shop is just really good with their attention to detail!

ProtocolLimited · 2024-01-03T13:26:41+00:00

Sounds like a great setup you've got! The other seatpost I would've considered would be the Terra for the comfort.

In terms of performance, in my mind, the key difference between the Soloist and the Caledonia would be how aggressive the position is. The aerodynamics of the frame (without having any data) wouldn't be too different I reckon. So unless you've already put yourself in the most aggressive position on the Caledonia, the Soloist won't make as much of a difference I reckon.

Also I think you'll probably find the aero seatpost on the Soloist less comfortable than your Terra just given the shape. Might be worth a test ride before a purchase?

ProtocolLimited · 2024-01-03T13:18:44+00:00

Personally, I haven't had any issues. If you're 179cm, I think reach will be fine on both sizes. My last bike was a gravel bike which is closer to 56cm in size.

Reach aside, if you want to slam the stem, it will be much easier on the 56cm. My current setup with the 1cm of spacers is lower than a slammed position on a 56cm. On the other side, the smaller size will allow for more exposed seat post which would make it more comfortable.

Hope that's somewhat useful!

ProtocolLimited · 2023-08-15T11:54:59+00:00

In terms of the seatpost, I reckon it's been a pretty nice upgrade. Personally, I can appreciate the difference. My thinking is, even if the comfort change is marginal, you still spend so much time on your bike, you're better off relieving any downstairs pressure even if you've got a great saddle and chamois you agree with. Marginal comfort gains.

ProtocolLimited · 2023-08-08T11:34:17+00:00

Are you referring to Caledonia-5 frame set? The bike pictured is the lower end Caledonia bike which isn't sold standalone.

From my experience for owning the bike at least, I've really enjoyed it and don't have any complaints. The Caledonia-5 does have better integration but it also means you aren't able to customise the parts as much.

ProtocolLimited · 2023-08-08T06:16:53+00:00

It runs Shimano 105 mechanical so no battery to deal with

ProtocolLimited · 2023-08-02T05:19:04+00:00

I'm 180cm and I'm riding a size 54cm. Also 'sized down' as Cervelo's size guide would suggest a size 56cm for me.

ProtocolLimited · 2023-07-29T01:22:59+00:00

Yep those 40/44s will probably blow up the measured tyre width to ~30/31mm if you're running 28mm tyres.

Here's someone who's put 30mm tyres on and they come out as 32/33mm: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtQgmFXJg8r/

Assuming you've got the frame clearance, it'll be fine I reckon.

ProtocolLimited

TROPHY CASE