R5 has one jobget to the top, fast. But for all the glory and fanfare that comes with a summit finish, theyre rarely the only climb of the day. And while a race isnt usually won on a descent, they can certainly be lost. A climbing bike that cant carve a hairpin is a bit like a cup of decaf coffee. This is the fourth iteration of the R5, and while weight and stiffness have varied over the years, the handling, poise, and unmatched prowess on a descent have been consistent since day one.

The new R5 frame is 130g lighter than the previous modela 16% reduction from an already-light frame. And while aerodynamics werent a focus with this frame the way they would be on an S5 or P5, bringing the cables inside reduced drag by 25g.

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