Aero machine for Garmin-Barracuda's latest signing
Image 1 of 20
New Garmin-Barracuda rider Thomas Dekker will race this year on a new Cervelo S5.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers are mounted to classic-bend 3T Rotundo Pro bars.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The Cervelo S5 strikes an unusual profile but its main goal was aerodynamic efficiency above all else.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Cervelo says wind tunnel testing showed that a single down tube-mounted bottle produces less drag when it's placed lower on the frame. Hence, there are two sets of mounting holes on the S5 down tube. (Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The back of the seat cluster terminates in a smooth teardrop shape.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
3T again provides the Garmin-Barracuda team with cockpit components.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Pinching the center of the head tube minimizes frontal area.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The Di2-specific routing includes an entry port just behind the headset.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The back of the fork crown flows cleanly into the down tube.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Not surprisingly, Garmin-Barracuda will be using Garmin's new Vector power measuring pedals this season. However, these may be mock-ups given that there's no transmitter mounted.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Dekker goes for the stiffest crankset setup available to him: Rotor's 3D+ aluminum crankarms, a solid chainring spider, and TT-specific Q-Rings.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Cervelo says the S5's shape was specifically engineered in the wind tunnel to decrease aerodynamic drag.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
While aero, the chain stays are still enormous to help maintain drivetrain efficiency.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Team bikes are fitted with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groups.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The rear brake is first bolted to a small aluminum mount, which is then inserted into the frame.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Dekker sets his fi'zi:k Arione Tri 2 saddle in the rearmost mounting holes.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Dekker is looking for redemption this season with Garmin-Barracuda.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Cervelo gave the S5 a straight 1 1/8in head tube so as to reduce frontal area relative to a tapered setup.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate carbon tubular wheels strike a good balance between weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The down tube is very narrow through most of its length but flares out down at the bottom bracket.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Dutch climbing and time trial specialist Thomas Dekker has a long road ahead of him after serving a two-year suspension for EPO. Garmin-Barracuda directeur sportif Jonathan Vaughters has given the fallen rider a second chance, however, and Dekker is hoping his new team-issue Cervélo S5 will help him prove his worth this coming season.
The Cervélo S5 strikes a distinctive profile what with its wild array of teardrop forms, hard edges, and unusual angles. In addition to the aero cross-sections and very Cervélo P4-like rear end, there's also an hourglass profile straight 1 1/8in head tube to minimize frontal area, a dropped down tube that blends cleanly with the fork crown and just barely clears the front tire, and even a flattened section on the down tube that Cervélo claims helps direct air around water bottles.
But that shape is exactly what gives the S5 its edge according to Cervélo, posting drag numbers that supposedly even rival some companies' full-blown time trial chassis. In Dekker's case, that's likely about all that matters when he's sticking his nose into the wind this year.
That aerodynamic advantage hasn't come at a heavy cost in terms of mass, either, with claimed frame weights hovering around 1kg.
The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group on Dekker's S5 is a rather common sight in the pro peloton these days but it's a key distinction that the team buys those components instead of receiving them for free from Shimano. It's obviously a more expensive route than a full-blown sponsorship deal but it also affords Garmin-Barracuda the freedom to mix and match componentry at will as well as choose wheels and cockpits that don't lie beneath the Shimano and PRO corporate umbrella.
That latitude in component choice plays an especially critical role in time trial gear as Garmin-Barracuda is now free to use the new Magura RT8 TT hydraulic rim brakes on the new Cervélo P5 without having to worry about sponsorship conflicts.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Key substitutions on Dekker's road bike include the Rotor 3D+ cranks and Q-Rings, 3T bar and stem, Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate carbon tubular wheels, and Garmin's own Vector power measuring pedals (though the transmitter pods are conspicuously absent in the photos).
Completing the package is an FSA Orbit IS-2 integrated headset, a fi'zi:k Arione Tri 2 saddle, Arundel Mandible carbon fiber bottle cages, Camelback Podium bottles, and a Garmin Edge 500 computer.
Total complete bike weight according to team mechanic Geoff Brown is 7.0kg (15.43lb).
Rider's height: 1.88m (6ft 2in) Rider's weight: 70kg (154lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 795mm Saddle setback: 95mm Seat tube length, c-t: 513mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 600mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 92mm Head tube length: 179mm Top tube length: 564mm (horizontal) Total bicycle weight: 7.0kg (15.43) - as reported by team mechanic
