Looking for a Di2-equipped aero road bike to dominate your competitors and friends? For the 2019 release, Cervelo has made significant improvements with the S3 Frameset, complete builds, and component specification that deliver a stiffer, faster, smoother, and more aerodynamic experience across the full S3 range. This complete Cervelo S3 Ultegra R8070 Di2 Disc Bicycle is perfectly positioned as the best combination of accessible pro race level performance and applied technology available today.

As popular and respected as the R-series bikes are both within and outside Cervelo, the S-series truly represents the core engineering and aerodynamic values of the Canadian company. The current TrueAero tube and overall frame design represent the evolution of NACA-derived aero shapes and the application of flatback, or Kamm tail design. Perhaps the best way to think of this is consider the NACA shapes as variations of elliptical or oval airfoils, as commonly seen on airplanes. The Kamm tail is essentially a foil with a squared-off back side. This is much more effective at speeds that bicycles attain, with the overall oval widening slightly as from the front to back. This increases the time the frontal or angled onrushing air stays cleanly on the tube and releases cleanly off the back, while providing a push, from what is known as laminar boundary layer.

The aerodynamic advantages of this are clear, but the focus of the engineering is on how to bring each tube shape and junction together to create a complete aero package. Yet that is only a portion of the S3, or any other frameset story. The assembly needs to be a performance bike that offers torsional headtube and bottom bracket stiffness- which is augmented by the flatback design, along with proper geometry, an appropriate level of vertical compliance. Overall safety is, of course, paramount. So the sleek lines and optimal integration you see from the outside houses a lay-up of various carbon fiber types that deliver safety, strength, power transfer, control and a connection to the road that inspires. Of course some of the engineering can be seen as well, with the Asymmetric BBright system and chainstays the most obvious. The aero fork, frame interface is both visually impressive and aerodynamically sound, while the partial seattube cutout carries the air that clings to the frame and guides it as cleanly as possible beyond the rear wheel.

The disc brake design of the full carbon S3 fork and frame has allowed the the designers to improve tire clearance (up to 30mm) and overall dropout stiffness, while improving the aero principles of the fork and rear stays that no longer have a brake to carry. The disc caliper mount is the Flat Mount standard, and the maximum rotor size is 160mm. Cable/housing routing for the fork and frame is internal, with the S3 employing the Aero Cable Management system. For the S3 a unique aspect of this is the AB09 aero handlebar and the ST29 Stem combination, that appear as standard equipment but are designed to work together to bring the housing and wires underneath the bar to pass into the stem and down the headtube to the frame. Yes, this requires a new headset bearing tension system and some deft handling, but with the eTube Di2 wires and hydraulic hose set-up this is practical, and once assembled once becomes much easier to manage. The end result is a super clean bar and stem set-up that features your levers and tape. Nothing else- unless you add satellite shift buttons at some point. It is impressive, and improves aero efficiency.

As a complete bike, the S3 Ultegra R8070 Di2 Disc takes full advantage of Shimano's mainstay Ultegra R8070/8000 11-speed drivetrain, which like it's Dura-Ace R9170 sibling features improved lever feel to the redesigned front and rear derailleurs. The Shadow-derived Di2 rear can now handle larger range cassettes and the powerful front offers great frame and tire clearance as chainlines get wider. The R8070 Dual Control levers are built for Di2 electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brake use. Cervelo specs the complete bike with the R8000 52-36 crankset and 11-30 cassette, so you get great road range. The supplied Cervelo BBright Connect 24-90 bottom bracket directly converts the BBright standard to the 24mm spindle standard used by the Hollowtech II Shimano crankset. The drivetrain is driven by the Ultegra level CN701 11-speed chain. The hydraulic disc brake calipers are the R8070 models for the flat mount standard, and Cervelo stays on-key with the new Ultegra SM-RT800 160mm disc rotors.

The equipped kit is solid. The wheelset is a Cervelo/Novatec R5 Carbon CenterLock Disc model. Both wheels are 24 hole, laced 2x, and feature DT Aero Comp bladed spokes and Squorx alloy nipples. The 32mm tall rims have an 18mm internal width and 22mm external width. Cervelo equips the wheels with Continental Grand Prix SL clincher tires in the 700x25 size. With good grip, excellent puncture protection, and smooth, long wearing ride, these are a great match for the wheelset. Cervelo supplies the newly designed SP20 Aero Carbon Seatpost, ST29 stem, and AB09 bar with tape. A Prologo Zero 2 STN saddle fits and suits many cyclists. Finally Cervelo provides an FSA IS-2 headset for the full carbon S3 Disc Fork with the tapered 1⅛" to 1¼" steerer tube.

If speed, power, and excitement drive your preferred cycling experiences, the Cervelo S3 Ultegra R8070 Di2 Disc Bicycle can truly deliver on your desires. No other bike company has as strong an engineering and aerodynamic background, with such high-level success in road racing and triathlon. The S3 represents the best opportunity for more cyclists to ride a Di2 equipped, premium grade aero road machine. Race it, ride it, tri it, whatever you prefer. Just push it; like you it thrives under max effort.