At the moment I have my current Orbea Onix Vuelta for about 8 years, it has been a great ride. Only in the area of triathlons it’s lacking some aerodynamic properties. I do have aerobars, and the wheels are now of a 70mm high aerodynamic design, but the frame and fork are quite wide.

In this area, a new frame could give me some advantage on the longer rides if I would change to a newer, aero design. Not that they are anyway near cheap, or much around. Not very many manufactures have aerodynamic road bike frames, that aren’t typical time-trial bikes. I don’t like to have too much bikes in the shed, so my racing bike also needs to perform on a time trial, do long rides and have mountain climbing abilities.

I’ve been renting some TT-bikes, and tried some climbs and downhills. Going uphill, I have the impression that I could use some more room to breathe, but they don’t cycle really problematic. The descents are quite scary though, not being able to brake firmly on an aerosteer. Cool to pick up speed in to-time, though. Anyway, these bikes aren’t the most comfortable bikes on long rides.

So I’m “stuck” between some bikes that perform well aerodynamically, but aren’t time-trial bikes. Like the Cervélo S5 or the dutch built Isaac Meson. The last one is quite a lot cheaper… But I love the looks of the Cervélo.

My local bikeshop does have a Meson frame just “hanging around”, which I can have for half-price. Don’t know the frame size or why it’s just sitting around there, but it seems to be a good deal. But I don’t want to assemble a bike again. I’m in a time squeeze for most of te time, so I need to saddle up and go, I don’t have the time to built my bike.

So, what about the Cervélo? There are two options, the S5 or the S5VWD frame. Although I love that matte black & white design of the Meson, the S5VWD is beautiful, but has a sharp pricetag to it. Especially towards the Isaac Meson. But what are the differences of these frames in the places that matter, not the weight, the Meson is just 80 grams heavier (same as the new S3 frame), but in the aerodynamics…

The Cervélo has the seatstay covering the rear wheel over most of the length, and the Meson “just” till half way. The backstay’s of the Cervélo are beautifully narrow and flat against the wheel. The Meson has a wing-like aero fork, more so than the Cervélo. Hmm. Let me get a quote on that S5.