Does the Cervelo S2 still hold up as a good aero bike?
 

As fast as tech changes, does the 2012-ish Cervelo S2 still hold up as a high quality aero frame?

And could someone give me the simple version of the difference (and reasoning) behind having an S2, S3 and S5 aero frames?


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I still have and ride a S2...Campy Record 11 and Eurus tubeless wheels.
I still like the ride, my other bike is a Parlee ESX with Record EPS. I love and enjoy both...nothing wrong with a Cervelo!!


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Here's a test by Tour Magazine from 2015 which compared the Cervelo S2 directly with the Cervelo S5, and included aero data on 14 other aero bikes:

https://www.tour-magazin.de/raeder/r...al/a34659.html

This is from around the time that bikes reached the era of "peak earo". Since then, there have been little improvements in aerodynamics, and more emphasis on maintaining aero performance with new component technologies (like disc brakes). Interestingly, some independent wind tunnel testing has suggested that aero performance has taken a slight jog backward with the addition of disc brakes to aero bikes. Trek has been upfront about admitting that their disc brake aero bike is not as aero as their rim brake aero bike, and if you read between the lines of Cervelo's white paper on their disc brake S5, you can see that the disc brakes also had an aero penalty to this bike as well.

Why have S2, S3 and S5 models? Primarily to meet price points. Independent testing has shown that there are differences in aero drag and weight between these bikes, and of course there are differences in component spec. as well. The S2 will have most of the aero benefits of the S5, but at only about half the cost. The S3 is in the middle.

Doesn't it only fit 23s?

That's the deal breaker, not the aero numbers.

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They’ll take 25s.
And they’re great bikes. And plenty aero.

Maybe I was thinking of the S5 from that era...

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I love mine!

Just did Battenkill on it, tires measure 26mm (23mm Schwalbe Pro Ones) and they have a safe amount of clearance. I also use 25mm tubular tires on other wheels. I wouldn't try 28mm though.

With the aero handlebars and Etap I recon this bike holds up well to current competition. It has a smaller frontal surface area with the hourglass headtube and non-tapered fork. Today's wider tube profiles have more to do with wide tires and wide rims. This bike is all slimmed down.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cycling/T...-001%29-X2.jpg

Awesome info guys. Thank you!

I missed the sale on the frame I was looking at yesterday, but I'm always passively looking for these.


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Tight clothing, an aero helmet, and shoe covers will make a much larger difference than the change from an S2 to a current aero bike, if there's even that much difference to start with.