2024 Cervelo R5 vs Pinarello F

The Cervelo R5 and Pinarello F are popular road bike models. Our expert, Bernard Lu compares these models, their features, technologies and pricing.

Experienced cyclist turned writer with 7+ years working in bike shops, overseeing retail and workshop operations.
Updated:

This article compares the differences between the Cervelo R5 and Pinarello F.

The comparison covers the model lineups, specifications, and retail pricing. It compares the carbon fiber technology ( vs Pinarello TorayCa Carbon) and frameset technologies on each bike.

The objective is to provide you with a clearer understanding of Cervelo R5 vs Pinarello F before making the purchasing decision.

Cervelo R5Pinarello F
Type of bikeLightweight, all-rounderAll-rounder
Frame materialCervelo carbonTorayCa T900 carbon
TorayCa T700 carbon
Frame sizes48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61430, 465, 500, 515, 530, 545, 560, 575, 595
GroupsetShimano, SRAM (12-speed)Shimano, SRAM (12-speed)
BrakesHydraulic discHydraulic disc
CablingInternalInternal
Price (USD)$9,000 to $13,000Check with local retailers
Overview of Cervelo R5 and Pinarello F

Cervelo R5

Cervelo R5 SRAM Red eTap AXS
Cervelo R5. Photo : Cervelo

The Cervélo R5 is an all-rounder road race bike. The Cervélo R5 sits at the top with the best components and is ridden by Jonas Vingegaard to win the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France.

Cervélo R5 and R-Series (discontinued in 2022) share the same carbon fiber material. Cervélo calls the carbon tubing design, the Squoval Max, a reference to the combination of Square and Oval tube shapes to achieve a balance between weight, stiffness, and aerodynamic benefits according to their CFD analysis.

The Cervélo R5 is disc-only with an integrated cockpit. It’s also available in a frameset only.

ModelFrame materialGroupsetWheelsetRetail price (USD)
Cervelo R5CarbonShimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200)Reserve 34/37$13,000
Cervelo R5CarbonSRAM Red eTap AXSReserve 34/37$13,000
Cervelo R5CarbonShimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100)Reserve 34/37$9,000
Cervelo R5CarbonSRAM Force eTap AXSReserve 34/37$9,000
Cervélo R5 models lineup

Pinarello F

Pinarello F Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Pinarello F Shimano Dura-Ace Di2. Photo : Pinarello

The Pinarello F, announced in February 2023 is a new series of road bikes that replaces the Pinarello Prince, which was a popular model for many years.

The Pinarello F is designed to be a more affordable version of the Pinarello Dogma F, which is the flagship race bike of the Italian brand. The Pinarello F has the same competition geometry as the Dogma F but uses a lower grade of carbon fiber to lower the overall cost. It carries all the distinctive features of the Dogma F, such as the Onda fork, the asymmetric frame, and the TiCR internal cable routing.,

The Pinarello F comes in three models; F9, F7, and F5, and only with Shimano Di2 groupsets. The difference between the F series models lies in the carbon fiber grade and groupset.

ModelFrame materialGroupsetWheelset
Pinarello F9Toray T900 carbonShimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200)Most Ultrafast 40
Pinarello F7Toray T900 carbonShimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100)Most Ultrafast 40
Pinarello F5Toray T700 carbonShimano 105 Di2 (R7100)Most Ultrafast 40
Pinarello F models lineup

Cervelo vs Pinarello carbon fiber

Cervelo Carbon

Cervelo doesn’t publicly release information about the types of carbon fiber used on their road bikes.

From my observation of the current Cervelo bikes lineups, there are at least two carbon fiber grades used.

  • Highest grade. Cervelo R5 and S5 could be using the highest carbon fiber grade of all the models. These are pure race bikes used by the pros and would likely have the best carbon fiber available at Cervelo.
  • Mid-grade. Cervelo Caledonia and Soloist could be using a mid-level carbon and heavier fiber grade of all the models. These are endurance bikes that prioritize comfort over stiffness. So it’s not a surprise to see a lower-grade carbon fiber being used here.

Pinarello TorayCa

Pinarello uses Torayca carbon in their bikes due to the material’s performance characteristics and the consistency of its quality. Toray’s manufacturing processes ensure a high level of control over the properties of carbon fiber, resulting in a reliable and predictable material.

Different grades of Torayca carbon are used in Pinarello bikes, which are distinguished by their moduli. The T in T1100, T900, T700, and T600 refers to Torayca, and the number denotes the grade of the carbon fiber.

A higher number equates to a higher grade of carbon, which in turn offers more stiffness and less weight, but also typically costs more to produce.

  • T1100 carbon is the top Pinarello’s carbon offering. This high-end carbon fiber blend is created for the ultimate stiffness-to-weight ratio. Utilizing the highest quality carbon fiber available, Pinarello designs frames with T1100 Carbon for their flagship, Pinarello Dogma F series.
  • T900 carbon is another high-quality carbon fiber offering from Pinarello, albeit slightly less stiff and lightweight than T1100. It’s used in the Pinarello F series road bikes, such as the F9 and F7.
  • T700 carbon is a step down from the T900 but still offers a solid balance between weight, stiffness, and cost. It’s found in mid-range models, such as the Pinarello F5.
  • T600 carbon is the entry level of Pinarello’s carbon range, is heavier, less stiff, and more comfortable. It’s used in the Endurance road bike series, the Pinarello X.

Frameset technologies and innovations

Cervelo R5 and Pinarello F framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.

Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.

Cervélo R5

Unlike other road bike brands, there is minimal information about the technologies used in the Cervélo R5 frameset. The most obvious, and talked-about feature is the Squoval tube shapes.

Squoval stands for square-oval tube shapes. They are a unique design feature that combines the benefits of both square and oval tubes to produce frames that are stiff, light, and aero.

According to Cervélo, the seat tube doesn’t undergo much stress compared to the down and top tubes. Hence, the Cervélo engineers designed a smaller, thinner, and lighter seat tube. On the other hand, the down and top tubes are beefed up to be stiff, and strong while using as little material as possible. This led to the square-oval design seen on the R5.

Pinarello F

NameDescription
TorayCa carbon fiberPinarello F series uses different types of carbon fiber to best suit each rider’s needs. The F9 models use TorayCa T900 UD, which is incredibly strong and lightweight.

The F7 models use T900 carbon fiber, which offers the ideal balance between responsiveness, weight, and vibration absorption.
Nanoalloy TechnologyImplemented in the carbon fiber resin, this technology uses microscopic nanoparticles to form a composite material highly resistant to impacts and fatigue. This means the bike frame maintains its structural integrity under stress and over time, reinforcing the quality of the Pinarello F.
TiCRTotal Internal Cable Routing (TiCR) is the state-of-the-art internal cable routing system that sets the standard across the whole bike industry. This system is versatile, accommodating both wireless and electro-mechanical group sets.

TiCR completely conceals the cables within the bar/stem or integrated handlebar. This not only enhances the bike’s aesthetic appeal but also significantly improves aerodynamic performance and protects the cables from external elements.
Asymmetric frameThe Pinarello F series has an asymmetric frame that compensates for the unbalanced forces generated by the drivetrain. The right side of the frame is stiffer and stronger than the left side, to improve power transfer and efficiency. The asymmetric frame also enhances the handling and stability of the bike
FlatBack ProfileThe FlatBack Profile is a significant aerodynamic feature in the Pinarello F. Essentially, it’s a truncated aerofoil design that provides an aerodynamic advantage while adhering to the 3:1 rule set by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

By using this design, the bike achieves excellent aerodynamic performance with minimal lateral wind resistance. This means less energy is expended fighting wind resistance, leading to greater speed and efficiency.
Onda ForkThe Onda Fork is a distinctive Pinarello technology that has been around since 2000. This fork’s unique design offers precise steering abilities, stability, and a notable reduction of both longitudinal and lateral shocks. It does this by effectively absorbing road vibrations and dissipating them before they can reach the rider, resulting in a smoother, more comfortable ride.
Pinarello F’s frameset features and technologies

Where to buy

Cervelo retailers

Pinarello retailers

Bernard Lu at Mr.Mamil

Bernard Lu has 7+ years of experience working in a bicycle shop, overseeing the retail and workshop operations. He’s a qualified bicycle mechanic who understands a cyclist’s needs and speaks the same cycling lingo.

If you meet him at the cafe, he will happily talk to you for hours about all the intricacies of bikes and cycling tech. Just buy him a coffee next time you see him.