2015 Velocio-SRAM team bike - Tiffany Cromwell's Cervelo S5(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Saddles are provided by Selle Italia. Cromwell chooses the MAX SLR Gel Flow model(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The twin-position seat post seems like an odd addition, however, we don't know the real reason behind this choice(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Behind the stem cable routing is optimised for aerodynamics(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Zipp provides many of the cockpit components too, Cromwell uses alloy Service Course SL handlebar and stem(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Cromwell was riding Zipp 303 Firecrest tubulars, but did mention the team has been testing the new Zipp 404 (Firestrike)(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
SRAM Red 22 brake calipers haul up the Zipp 303 wheels(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
As a title sponsor, SRAM equipment covers the team bikes. A SRAM-owned brand, Quarq provides the data(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Traditional brake calipers are used, however the rear is shrouded by the frame(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The 2015 Cervélo S5 features a total of 31 improvements over the older model(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The Cervélo S5 is often considered the benchmark for aero road bikes. Note the subtly shrouded bottle cage on the down tube(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A favourite of Cromwell's, Speedplay Zero Titanium pedals in pink(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The team formerly known as Specialized-Lululemon has changed its title sponsors and, consequently, its name to Velocio-SRAM Pro Cycling for 2015. As a result, the former world team trial trial (TTT) champions go into 2015 with a whole new look and equipment list.
Tiffany Cromwell won the Flanders-based 2013 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad race and more recently was voted 2014's ‘Australian Female Road Cyclist of the Year’. Beyond the bike, Cromwell continues her passion in fashion design with freelance work, including cycle clothing. BikeRadar caught up with her during the Santos Women’s Tour, where she was riding for the composite team of Roxsolt.
Cervélo is no longer sponsoring a men’s team in WorldTour, having shifted its focus to professional women’s racing and other teams such as the South African Pro-Continental MTN-Qhubeka and Australian Continental Budget-Forklifts.
Cromwell is currently riding the new and improved Cervélo S5 aero road bike. The S5 was given a full revamp for 2015, with a total of 31 improvements and refinements over the previous model.
Cromwell previously rode a women-specific Specialized Amira, so how is finding the non-gender-specific S5. “For me it’s been quite an easy transfer, but it is a very different frame," she said. "I’ve raced unisex bikes before, such as when I was with Orica-GreenEdge and we were on the Scott Foil. The front is one major difference, Specialized is a whole lot higher and the Cervélo S5 is extremely low and aggressive”.
She also mentioned that the aero frame and deep wheels can be problematic in high winds - “Most of us are quite small, but we quickly learned how to handle these bikes in gusty conditions” - and didn’t rule out that the team would likely get the more climbing orientated R-series frames soon to use where applicable: “The aero framing has its benefits in most races, but given my size, I can benefit from a lighter and more reactive bike where extended climbing is required.”
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With SRAM as a title sponsor, much of the bike is a showpiece for the American-company’s finest, including items from Zipp and Quarq.
“Having used it last year, I really like the SRAM RED. I’m looking forward to the ‘rumoured’ SRAM Wireless, though, we can’t say when it will be released, but it’ll be great. I really enjoy working with SRAM as a company, there’s a great relationship with them,” Cromwell said.
Fitting a power meter to Cervélo’s own ‘BBRight’ bottom bracket standard is a non-issue with the BB30 SRAM Red 22 Quarq crank. Where the 9mm wider bottom bracket standard has been known to cause compatibility issue, the Quarq simply adapts with a slightly different spacer configuration on the spindle.
“Coming to Quarq from SRM has been a positive move – I like data and I can extract plenty more information out of the Garmin than I could with the SRM unit," explained Cromwell.
Currently using 45mm deep Zipp 303 tubulars, Cromwell spoke of the team’s positive experience with the brand and explained that they’ve also been testing the new Zipp 404 (Firestrike) with great results. Beyond wheels, Zipp supplies the team with handlebars, stem, bartape and bottle cages; Cromwell's bike features the alloy Service Course SL stem and bar.
Glued to the wheels are Specialized Turbo tubulars, an item likely left over the previous-years' sponsorship. These treads are in a generous volume 24c, something that easily fits in the new Cervelo S5, but wouldn't have worked in the older model with its tight clearance.
The S5 is supplied stock with a 20mm set-back seatpost, unusually though, Cromwell is using the Cervelo twin-position seatpost in the 40mm set-back position, with the saddle then slid far forward to achieve a 50mm set back over the bottom bracket. This twin-position post is commonly used in triathlon race setups, but we’re unsure of the reason behind its application here – perhaps it's as simple as that's what was available.
Attached to that seatpost is a Selle Italia MAX SLR Gel Flow saddle, not the lightest but something that Cromwell finds comfortable: “Moving from Specialized saddles to Selle Italia has been an adjustment – thankfully Selle Italia has so many options.”
Given the aero frame (although small), power meter and Garmin 510 on the front, a complete weight just above 7kg is impressive. This is mostly made possible through the SRAM Red 22 drivetrain – which is currently the world’s lightest groupset – and some sneakily lightweight Speedplay Zero Titanium pedals at just 164g for the pair.
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Cervélo S5, size 48cm Fork: Cervélo S5 full-carbon, tapered Headset: FSA IS2 1 1/8 x 1 3/8in Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, 110mm x -6 degrees Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL-70 Ergo, 40cm (c-c) Tape: Zipp Service Course Front brake: SRAM RED 22 Rear brake: SRAM RED 22 Brake levers: SRAM RED 22 Front derailleur: SRAM RED 22 Rear derailleur: SRAM RED 22 Shift levers: SRAM RED 22 Cassette: SRAM X-Glide 1190, 11-26T Chain: SRAM RED 22 Crankset: SRAM Red 22 Quarq power meter, BB30, 170mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: SRAM PF30 Pedals: Speedplay Zero Titanium Wheelset: Zipp 303 Firecrest tubular Front tyre: Specialized S-Works Turbo tubular, 24mm Rear tyre: Specialized S-Works Turbo tubular, 24mm Saddle: Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow Seatpost: Cervélo S5 aero carbon Bottle cages: Zipp SL Speed Carbon (2) Computer: Garmin Edge 510
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.66m (5ft 5in) Rider's weight: 53kg (117lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 690mm Saddle setback: 50mm Tip of saddle to centre of bar: 530mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 97mm Head tube length: 99mm Top tube length (effective): 519mm Total bicycle weight: 7.04kg (15.49lb), including Garmin Edge 510
