CerveloSoloist
Origin
The original Soloist, launched in 2002, is widely credited with inventing the aero road category — it was Cervelo's first carbon road bike with true NACA-derived aerofoil tubing and the platform Frank Schleck used to win on Alpe d'Huez. Phased out around 2008 in favour of the S-series, the Soloist name was revived in 2022 as Cervelo's deliberately attainable all-rounder: it borrows aero geometry and tube shapes from the S5, lightness cues from the R5, and lands at roughly 250 g heavier than the R5 and 250 g lighter than the S5. Today it's pitched at the 'week-in week-out amateur racer' who wants one bike that can climb, sprint and do a hilly gran fondo on one set of wheels with up to 34 mm tyres.
Specifications
- Frame
- Full carbon fibre monocoque; claimed frame weight ~919 g painted (56 cm), fork ~374 g; T47 BBright threaded bottom bracket; semi-integrated cable routing; SP27 carbon aero seatpost
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- 12-speed; builds from Shimano 105 (mechanical) and 105 Di2 up to Ultegra Di2 R8170, and SRAM Rival AXS up to Force eTap AXS (incl. Force AXS 1x). Ultegra Di2 build: 52/36T crank, 11-30T cassette
- Brakes
- Hydraulic disc brakes, groupset-matched (Shimano 105 / Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Rival / Force AXS), flat-mount, 12 mm thru-axles
- Wheels
- Reserve carbon on upper builds (e.g. Reserve 40/44, 40 mm front / 44 mm rear depth, Zipp hubs); alloy wheels on entry 105 build
The verdict
- Smartly balances aerodynamics and low weight — sits between the S5 (aero) and R5 (climbing) so one bike covers crits, climbs and gran fondos
- Sharp, direct race handling with R5-derived geometry — goes exactly where pointed, confident in fast corners
- Excellent stiffness and power transfer; responsive when sprinting despite the do-it-all brief
- Mechanic-friendly two-piece semi-integrated cockpit and threaded T47 bottom bracket — easier to service than fully integrated rivals
- Strong value: Reserve carbon wheels on upper builds and a price markedly below S5/R5 and many aero competitors
- Firm, sometimes punishing front end on rough surfaces; ride can feel fidgety on imperfect tarmac
- Heavier than dedicated climbing rivals and not as aero as dedicated aero bikes (Aeroad, Xelius) — jack of all trades, master of none
- No option for top-tier groupsets (no Dura-Ace / Red AXS build offered)
- Modest finishing kit and stock tyres on entry builds (alloy wheels, tyres described as 'claggy')
- Several testers reported creaking from the bottom bracket, headset or seatpost
Who it’s for
Where to buy Cervelo Soloist in Lithuania
Local shops and marketplaces in your country.
These are searches on third-party sites — URBALT is not affiliated with them and does not sell directly.
Want one?
Find this bike on the marketplace, or compare notes with riders already on one.