AeroAddicts

CervéloP5 (2012, rim brake)

Triathlon2017P5 rim brake (2012-2017) ↗Rim brakesUCI legalDiscontinued

Replaced by Cervélo P5 (2019)

The original P5, unveiled in January 2012 and sold until model year 2017. One frame came in two versions: a triathlon bike with a deeper fork and Magura RT8TT hydraulic rim brakes, and a UCI-legal time-trial version with a standard fork and RT6TT brakes, raced by Garmin-Barracuda. A 3T-developed aerobar in three heights hid all cables, a compartment above the bottom bracket held the Di2 battery, and the smallest sizes used 650c wheels.

Cervélo P5 rim-brake (2012-2017), drive side
© Cervélo Cycles
Last MSRP
$10,000$10,000$10,000
Builds
4
Sizes
8
Frame weight
—

Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo

Our verdict

Overall

out of 100, average of 7 categories

The original P5 in tri and UCI versions, now only a used buy. Rim brakes with quick releases, an integrated 3T front end and no in-frame storage put it well behind modern disc-brake designs, but 650c sizes help small riders.

Scored Oct 2026

  • + Affordable way in
  • − Little integrated hydration or storage

AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.

Aero
64/100

Aero claims and front-end integration

Frame
64/100

Carbon grade, weight and warranty

Components
60/100

Groupset, wheels and power meter

Hydration & storage
48/100

Hydration and storage in the frame

Fit
66/100

Sizes and adjustment range

Practicality
58/100

Travel, standard parts, servicing

Price
84/100

From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP

How each category is scored

Frame & platform

What each race allows

Frame & fork

Frame material
Carbon
Frame sizes
45, 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 (45 and one 48 on 650c wheels)
Also available as
P5 triathlon version (deeper fork, Magura RT8TT brakes) and UCI-legal version (standard fork, Magura RT6TT brakes)
UCI frame approval
Approved 21 Dec 2011 as 'P5' with fork FK37, sizes 48-61 (6), code CERV-P5-TT, TT category (UCI list version 2026.10.02)
UCI configuration
UCI-legal version with the standard fork and Magura RT6TT brakes; the triathlon fork is not UCI legal

Compatibility & standards

Brake type
Magura hydraulic rim brakes (RT8TT on the tri version, RT6TT on the UCI version)
Wheel size
700c (650c on the 45 and a 650c 48)
Bottom bracket standard
BBright
Front axle
9x100 quick release
Rear axle
10x130 quick release
Max chainring
58T
Front derailleur mount
Braze-on bracket (Cervélo DRH-F-BKT1)
Electronic battery location
Hidden compartment above the bottom bracket

Hydration & storage

Storage details
Bento box mount behind the stem.
Top tube bento box
Yes

Fit & adjustability

Aerobar system
3T-developed integrated aerobar in three heights (X-Lo, Low, High V) with fully hidden cables
Seatpost type
Cervélo aero seatpost (SP21/SP23 listed by Cervélo)

Travel, maintenance & warranty

Headset bearings
1-1/8 in upper and lower (30.2x41x6.5, 36°x45°)
Derailleur hanger
Integrated
Sold via
Through Cervélo retailers

Design sketches

Design sketch of the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake), side view
Side view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Design sketch of the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake), three-quarter view
Three-quarter view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Design sketch of the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake), front view
Front view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo

Builds & components

Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.

Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) builds
P5 Tri Dura-Ace Di2
P5 Tri Frameset
P5 (UCI) Dura-Ace
P5 (UCI) Frameset
Overview
Price (MSRP)$10,000$10,000$10,000$6,500$6,500$6,500$6,000$6,000$6,000$4,500$4,500$4,500
TypeComplete bikeFramesetComplete bikeFrameset
NotesLaunch price (Slowtwitch).Launch price (Slowtwitch).UCI-legal version, launch price (Slowtwitch).UCI-legal version, launch price (Slowtwitch).
Drivetrain
GroupsetShimano Dura-Ace Di2—Shimano Dura-Ace—
ElectronicYes———
Brakes
Brake calipersMagura RT8TT—Magura RT6TT—
TypeHydraulic rim—Hydraulic rim—

P5 (2012, rim brake) price & value

Building up the P5 Tri Frameset

Included: frame and fork only, as listed.

Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Wheelset, Tires, Aerobar system, Seatpost, Saddle, Pedals.

Building up the P5 (UCI) Frameset

Included: frame and fork only, as listed.

Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Wheelset, Tires, Aerobar system, Seatpost, Saddle, Pedals.

Ownership checklist

0 of 3 known checks pass, 4 not published by Cervélo. Why these checks

  • ✕

    Threaded bottom bracket

    BBright

  • ✕

    UDH derailleur hanger

    Integrated

  • ✕

    Standard 12×142 mm rear axle

    10x130 quick release

  • ?

    Works with mechanical shifting

  • ?

    Fits third-party aerobars

    3T-developed integrated aerobar in three heights (X-Lo, Low, High V) with fully hidden cables

  • ?

    Rear disc wheel compatible

  • ?

    Fit kept when packed

P5 (2012, rim brake) geometry

Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) geometry
45 (650c)48 (700c)48 (650c)5154565861
Stack450 mm17.7″485 mm19.1″485 mm19.1″506 mm19.9″522 mm20.6″540 mm21.3″559 mm22″588 mm23.1″
Reach375 mm14.8″381 mm15″381 mm15″397 mm15.6″411 mm16.2″425 mm16.7″437 mm17.2″446 mm17.6″
Seat angle min75°75°75°75°75°75°75°75°
Seat angle max75°75°75°75°75°75°75°75°
Head tube angle72°71°72°72.5°72.5°72.5°72.5°72.5°
Head tube length90 mm3.5″84 mm3.3″102 mm4″97 mm3.8″114 mm4.5″133 mm5.2″153 mm6″183 mm7.2″
Effective top tube497 mm19.6″513 mm20.2″511 mm20.1″533 mm21″551 mm21.7″570 mm22.4″587 mm23.1″604 mm23.8″
Chainstay399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″399 mm15.7″
BB drop50 mm2″80 mm3.1″50 mm2″75 mm3″75 mm3″75 mm3″75 mm3″75 mm3″
Fork offset40 mm1.6″53 mm2.1″40 mm1.6″43 mm1.7″43 mm1.7″43 mm1.7″43 mm1.7″43 mm1.7″
Front centre553 mm21.8″583 mm23″567 mm22.3″583 mm23″602 mm23.7″622 mm24.5″640 mm25.2″658 mm25.9″
Standover712 mm28″742 mm29.2″740 mm29.1″768 mm30.2″784 mm30.9″802 mm31.6″821 mm32.3″850 mm33.5″
Wheel size650c700c650c700c700c700c700c700c

Side view & pad range

Your positionYour position (optional)

Drawn to scale (how to read it).

Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) · 51

How the geometry rides

The P5 (2012, rim brake) in size 51 against the middle size of 29 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).

  • Front centre583 mm23″

    shortestlonger than 10% of 29 bikeslongest

    Short front centre: more weight on the front wheel, which can make the front feel lighter to steer.

  • Chainstay399 mm15.7″

    shortestlonger than 14% of 53 bikeslongest

    Short chainstays: a compact, responsive rear end.

Compare on the stack & reach chart

Good to know

  • Design

    Slowtwitch notes the seat tube chord is almost twice as long as the P4's.

    Source

  • Fit

    Cervélo's archive gives 31 mm of frame tyre clearance, a 58T maximum chainring and geometry at a 75-degree seat angle; sizes 45 and one 48 use 650c wheels.

    Source

  • History

    Slowtwitch reported the launch on 17 January 2012: the UCI frameset at $4,500 and Dura-Ace complete bike at $6,000, the P5 Tri frameset at $6,500 and a Dura-Ace Di2 complete tri bike at $10,000. The Magura RT8TT brakes weighed 495 g for the full system.

    Source

P5 (2012, rim brake) FAQ

Is the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) UCI legal?+

Yes. The Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) is UCI legal, so it can be raced in draft-illegal triathlon as well as UCI time trials.

How much does the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) cost?+

Manufacturer prices (MSRP): $4,500–$10,000 across 4 listed builds and framesets: P5 Tri Dura-Ace Di2, P5 Tri Frameset, P5 (UCI) Dura-Ace and P5 (UCI) Frameset.

What sizes does the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) come in?+

8 sizes: 45 (650c), 48 (700c), 48 (650c), 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61. Wheel size varies by frame size (45 (650c): 650c, 48 (700c): 700c, 48 (650c): 650c, 51: 700c, 54: 700c, 56: 700c, 58: 700c and 61: 700c).

What seat angle does the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) have?+

75° effective seat tube angle.

Does the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) have integrated storage?+

Storage. Bento box mount behind the stem. A top tube bento box is integrated.

Which groupsets are compatible with the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake)?+

The largest chainring that fits is 58T. Bottom bracket: BBright.

What builds of the Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) are available?+

P5 Tri Dura-Ace Di2: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2; P5 (UCI) Dura-Ace: Shimano Dura-Ace.

Sources

Cervélo P5 (2012, rim brake) data last updated · How the data is checked ·