Cervélo has launched its all-new Caledonia endurance bike, bringing with it some of the improvements that debuted on last year’s brilliant but pricey Caledonia 5.
The new Caledonia sits at the sportier end of the endurance spectrum and looks to be a key rival to purist long-distance bikes such as Giant’s svelte Defy and Cannondale’s aero and well-equipped Synapse.
The key upgrades to the Caledonia design for the latest model are a lighter construction, bigger tyre clearance, a practical threaded bottom bracket and clever internal routing that enables cockpit swaps without splitting brake hoses.
However, for me, the biggest deal about the New Caledonia is it’ll be available from £3,000 / $3,200 / €2,999 for the 12-speed 105 model, up to a SRAM Force/Reserve carbon-wheel equipped flagship for £5,250 / $6,850 / €6,499.
- Read more: Cervélo Caledonia 5 Ultegra Di2 review – it rides like a dream, but the price is a nightmare
Lighter frame
Cervélo has worked on the carbon fibre layup of the Caledonia's frame, resulting in improved head-tube and bottom-bracket stiffness, while increasing compliance thanks to a reshaped seat tube and shaving 53g from the frame weight.
That brings the Caledonia frame under the 1kg mark, dropping from the original's claimed 1,031g (painted, size 54) to around 988g. Like the 5, the frame gets removable mudguard/fender mounts.
Unlike the Caledonia 5, the standard Caledonia doesn’t have the clever down-tube storage.
Spec details
The Caledonia has been brought in line with the Caledonia 5, with a larger 36mm clearance – or 34mm with fenders/mudguards.
In what’s now becoming an industry-wide shift away from press-fit bottom brackets, the Caledonia has made the switch to the ubiquitous T47 threaded bottom bracket standard.
Unlike its electronic-only sibling, the Caledonia 5, the new bike has mechanic-friendly routing. This supports both the high-end fully integrated Cervélo setup (ST31/32, HB18) as found on the Caledonia 5, Áspero 5 and Soloist, and semi-external routing with a standard 1 1/8-inch interface, meaning it's compatible with many aftermarket stems.
Being able to switch out the stem without splitting brake hoses also makes for a bike that’s easier to pack for travel. It should make the Caledonia a fine companion for bucket-list overseas sportives or Gran Fondos.
Long-distance geometry
Cervélo has evolved the geometry and the fork trail to accommodate larger tyres, while maintaining the speed-oriented but comfortable geometry. That means a 72-degree head angle, short 415mm chainstays and mid-length wheelbase.
The New Caledonia shares its geometry with the Caledonia 5 – a bike with wonderfully reactive handling – while feeling stable and smooth over rougher surfaces.
Cervélo Caledonia range details
The Caledonia range consists of four bikes. The base model has Shimano 105 mechanical, moving up to 105 Di2, then SRAM Rival and topping out with SRAM Force and carbon wheels.
All models are available in six sizes: 48/51/54/56/58/61cm.
Cervélo Caledonia 105
- Spec highlights: Shimano 12-speed 105 (52/36, 11-34), Vision Team i23 disc tubeless-compatible wheels with J-bend spokes on standard hubs, Cervélo HB23 bar, ST36 stem, Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0 32c tyres
- Price: £3,000 / $3,250 / €2,999 / AU$4,400 / CAN$4,400
Cervélo Caledonia 105 Di2
- Spec highlights: Shimano 12-speed 105 Di2 (52/36, 11-34), Vision Team i23 disc tubeless-compatible wheels with straight-pull hubs, Cervélo HB23 bar, ST36 stem, Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0 32c tyres
- Price: £4,000 / $4,500 / €3,999 / AU$5,200 / CAN$5,600
Cervélo Caledonia Rival AXS
- Spec highlights: SRAM Rival AXS E1 (48/35, 10-36), Vision Team i23 disc tubeless-compatible wheels with straight-pull hubs, Cervélo HB23 bar, ST36 stem, Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0 32c tyres
- Price: £4,000 / $4,500 / €3,999 / AU$5,900 / CAN$6,000
Cervélo Caledonia Force AXS
- Spec highlights: SRAM Force AXS E1 (48/35, 10-36), Reserve 40/44 carbon wheels, Cervélo HB23 bar, ST36 stem, Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0 30c tyres
- Price: AXS £5,250 / $6,500 / €6,499 / AU$9,000 / CAN$8,650
