Six bikes,
side by side

A tour of the bikes in the garage, newest first. Each one has a plain-English summary for anyone curious, and a full parts list for riders who want the details. Sherwick’s bikes are the S5, P4 and Seven. Jami’s are the Caledonia-5, P3 and Calfee.

Cycling words, translated

Aero
Shaped to slip through air. At racing speed, most of a rider’s effort goes into pushing air out of the way.
Di2
Shimano’s electronic shifting. Pressing a button moves a small motor that shifts the chain, so there are no shift cables to stretch.
12-speed
The rear wheel has 12 gears and the front has 2, giving 24 combinations from steep-hill easy to downhill fast.
Disc brakes
Brakes that grip a metal disc at the wheel hub, like a car’s. They stop better in rain than rim brakes.
Tubeless
Tires with no inner tube. Liquid sealant plugs small punctures as they happen.
Hookless rim
A newer rim design with smooth sides. It is strong and light, but has lower maximum tire pressure limits.
Tubular
An older racing setup where the tire is sewn around the tube and glued to the rim.
Carbon fiber
Woven carbon sheets set in resin. Light and stiff, and it can be shaped into the smooth tubes aero bikes need.

Cervélo S5

Sherwick’s · 2023 · Dura-Ace Di2 · size 48 · Five Black · aero road racing

Matte black Cervélo S5 with deep carbon wheels leaning on a white garage door
The flagship: a bike designed around cheating the wind.
  • 17.9 lb8.11 kg as ridden
  • $13,000list price, Dura-Ace Di2
  • 12 × 2electronic gears
  • 11-34cassette range

The short version. The S5 is built for one job: going fast on flat and rolling roads. Its frame and handlebars are shaped like airplane wings, and the cables run inside the frame to keep the air flowing smoothly. The deep wheels (52 mm at the front, 63 mm at the back) do the same. Gears change with a button press and the bike can even be tuned from a phone.

The back story. Cervélo was not taking special orders, so this bike came from a waiting list. It was picked up on August 19, 2023. The original SRAM Force wireless build was swapped for Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, with a 165 mm crankset and ceramic bottom bracket.

Photos

Front three-quarter view of the S5
Front view: the fork and head tube are shaped to part the air.
Rear three-quarter view of the S5 with saddle bag and rear light
Rear view with the saddle bag and rear light fitted.
Top view of the S5 handlebar with bike computer
Cockpit: one-piece handlebar and stem with the bike computer mount.
Left side of the S5
The other side.
Close-up of the Dura-Ace crankset and chainrings
Dura-Ace crankset with 52 and 36 tooth chainrings.
Close-up of the Dura-Ace rear derailleur, cassette and disc brake
Rear derailleur and cassette, with the disc brake behind.
Zipp hub lockring and Shimano brake rotor
Zipp hub and Shimano disc rotor.

Fit, compared with the P4 it replaced as the main bike

MeasurementS5P4
Saddle height70.5 cm70.0 cm
Saddle to bars76.0 cm71.0 cm
Saddle tip to hoods61.0 cm63.0 cm

The P4 figure for saddle tip to hoods was measured to the end of its aero bars, so the two are not a perfect match.

Components
Drivetrain
Shimano
CranksetDura-Ace R9200, 52/36T, 165 mm
Front derailleurDura-Ace R9250
Rear derailleurDura-Ace R9250
ShiftersDura-Ace R9270, 12-speed
CassetteDura-Ace 11-34, 12-speed
ChainShimano M9100, 12-speed

Synchronized shifting is on, and both memory modes (S1 and S2) are set to semi-synchronized. In that mode, an upshift to the big chainring triggers two downshifts on the rear cassette, and a downshift to the small chainring triggers two upshifts on the rear. This smooths the jump in effort, but the front never shifts by itself. Multi-shift is on, so holding a button keeps shifting. The 52/36 setup spends 52% of its time on the small ring. The most-used rear gears are the 21T (26%) and 24T (22%), so most riding happens mid-cassette. The Shimano E-TUBE app shows 12 cogs from 11T to 34T, matching the cassette. Shifting is set to block the small chainring with the smallest rear cog, because the chain would go slack and could fall off. The big chainring with the biggest cog is not blocked.

Shimano E-TUBE app showing the 2023 S5 shift settings
Current shift settings in the Shimano E-TUBE app
Shift modes with a two-gear rear shift
Rear gears that move with a front shift
Gear usage percentages for each cog
Which gears get used
Shifter button assignments
Button assignments
Other drivetrain parts
Bottom bracketCeramicSpeed BBright, 24 mm spindle
PedalsWahoo POWRLINK ZERO dual-sided power pedals
Wheels and tires
WheelsReserve 52 front (25.4 mm inner width), Reserve 63 rear (24.4 mm); Zipp ZR1 SS hubs, 24 spokes, centerlock, tubeless
TiresVittoria Corsa TLR G, 700×28c

The SRAM calculator, set for a 25 mm inner rim width, tubeless hookless and dry roads, suggests about 48–51 psi front and 51–55 psi rear depending on rider weight. That is far lower than the 100+ psi of older racing tires, and it rolls faster on rough roads and grips better.

Calculator result 47.8 front, 50.8 rear psi
47.8 / 50.8 psi
Calculator result 51.3 front, 54.6 rear psi
51.3 / 54.6 psi
Brakes
CalipersDura-Ace hydraulic disc
RotorsShimano MT900 centerlock
Cockpit and seat
HandlebarCervélo HB14 carbon, 39 cm
StemCervélo ST35 carbon, 120 mm
SaddleSelle Italia Novus Boost Evo Superflow Carbon
SeatpostCervélo SP20 carbon
Frame and mounts
Frame / forkCervélo all-carbon, tapered S5 fork; sizes 48–58
HeadsetFSA IS2 1-1/8 × 1-3/8
Thru-axlesCervélo aero, 12×100/142
MountsFront computer mount, rear accessory mount
Computers

The short version. A bike computer is a small screen on the handlebar. It shows speed, distance, heart rate and a map, and it can also display which gear the bike is in.

Hammerhead Karoo 2
ModelHammerhead Karoo 2, $399 list
Paired withDura-Ace Di2 shifting on the S5 (52/36 front, 12 rear gears)
ButtonsA top left: previous; B bottom left: power and back; C top right: next; D bottom right: confirm, start and pause
ProfilesPower + HR, Heart Rate, Basic Profile, Indoor Ride. The screens below are for Power + HR
Screen 1Map page: speed, 3-second power, heart rate, cadence, map
Screen 2Data page 1: average speed, max speed, normalized power (NP), max power, average heart rate, max heart rate, average cadence, max cadence
Screen 3Data page 2: distance to top of climb, percent of FTP, average left/right power balance, grade, lap time, lap distance
Screen 4Data page 3: distance, Di2 gear, shifting mode, shifting battery
Di2 shifter buttonsLeft shifter: press for the top left button (navigate left), double press for the bottom right button (pause ride), hold to zoom out on the map or graph. Right shifter: press for the top right button (navigate right), double press to mark a lap, hold to zoom in on the map or graph. Set in the Ki2 extension

The Karoo can change the Di2 shift mode itself: open its sensor menu, choose the Di2 sensor, then Change Mode. To follow a saved route, pick a profile, tap Route on the map, choose the route and confirm, then press the bottom right button to start. “Follow in Reverse” runs it backwards, but routes over 200 miles (322 km) cannot be reversed on the device.

Karoo 2 with its four physical buttons labeled A to D
The four physical buttons
Karoo 2 quick settings drawer with brightness, Wi-Fi, sensors and auto-pause
Quick settings drawer
Karoo 2 showing a route on the map with a follow route button
Following a route
Karoo 2 Ki2 settings for the left Di2 hood button: single press top left button, double press bottom right button, hold map and graph zoom out
Ki2 settings for the left hood button

Cervélo Caledonia-5

Jami’s · 2023 · Ultegra Di2 · size 48 · color-shifting green and blue paint · endurance road

Cervélo Caledonia-5 with green-to-blue shifting paint leaning on a white garage door
Built for long days rather than short sprints. The paint shifts between green, teal and blue with the light.
  • 18.52 lb8.40 kg as ridden
  • $8,500list price, Ultegra Di2
  • 34 mmwidest tire it fits
  • 11-34cassette range

The short version. This is the comfortable sibling. Its geometry sits the rider a little taller and shorter than a race bike, which eases the back and shoulders over several hours. It takes wider tires for a smoother ride and has mounts for removable fenders for wet days. The hidden cable routing is a tidier version of the older Caledonia.

The back story. The Oasis color was being discontinued and only two were left in the world when it was ordered. It was picked up on October 13, 2023.

Photos

Front three-quarter view of the Caledonia-5
Front view: the paint reads blue from this angle.
Rear three-quarter view of the Caledonia-5
Rear view, with the 44 mm deep rear wheel.
Front view of the Caledonia-5 handlebar and bike computer
Cockpit with the Garmin computer.
Left side of the Caledonia-5
Left side.
Ultegra crankset, rear derailleur and cassette
Ultegra drivetrain: crankset, derailleurs and 11-34 cassette.
Caledonia-5 on a trainer in a garage
Looks deep blue in indoor light.
Components
Drivetrain
Shimano
CranksetUltegra R8100, 52/36T, 165 mm
Front derailleurUltegra Di2 8150
Rear derailleurUltegra Di2 8150 (RD-R8150)
ShiftersUltegra Di2 8170, 12-speed (ST-R8170)
CassetteUltegra R8100, 11-34, 12-speed
ChainShimano CN-M8100, 12-speed

The Shimano E-TUBE app shows 52/36T chainrings with an 11–34T cassette and multi-shift on. Both memory modes (S1 and S2) are set to semi-synchronized, the same as the S5: an upshift to the big chainring triggers two downshifts on the rear cassette, and a downshift to the small chainring triggers two upshifts on the rear. The front never shifts by itself. The left lever moves the front derailleur and the right lever the rear. Shifting is set to block the small chainring with the smallest rear cog, because the chain would go slack and could fall off. The big chainring with the biggest cog is not blocked.

Shimano E-TUBE app showing the 2023 Caledonia-5 shift settings
Shift settings in the Shimano E-TUBE app
Other drivetrain parts
Bottom bracketJY-BB 24 (no ceramic bearings)
PedalsWahoo Speedplay Zero
Wheels and tires
WheelsReserve 40 front / 44 rear, DT Swiss 370 hubs
TiresVittoria Rubino Pro TLR G2.0, 28c (frame fits up to 34 mm)

For 28 mm hookless tubeless tires the SRAM calculator suggests 51.5 psi front and 54.8 psi rear.

Calculator result 51.5 front, 54.8 rear psi
SRAM pressure calculator
Brakes
CalipersUltegra 8170 hydraulic disc
RotorsShimano RT-MT800, 160 mm
Cockpit and seat
HandlebarCervélo HB13 carbon, 31.8 mm clamp
StemCervélo ST32 alloy, 80 mm
SaddlePrologo Dimension TiRox
SeatpostCervélo SP24 carbon
Frame and mounts
Frame / forkCervélo all-carbon, tapered Caledonia-5 fork; sizes 48–61
HeadsetFSA IS2 1-1/4 × 1-1/2
Thru-axlesIndexed with lever, 12×100/142
MountsFaceplate computer mount, rear accessory mount, removable fender mounts
Computers

The short version. A bike computer is a small screen on the handlebar. It shows speed, distance, heart rate and a map, and it can also display which gear the bike is in. This one has a solar-charging screen to stretch its battery.

Garmin Edge 840 Solar
ModelGarmin Edge 840 Solar, $495 list
SoftwareVersion 18.25
Paired withUltegra Di2 shifting on the Caledonia-5 (52/36 front, 12 rear gears, shift mode S1)
ButtonsPower, Up, Down, Lap, Start/Stop, Menu/Select, Back
Screen 1Speed, heart rate, distance, timer, front gear, rear gear
Screen 2Lap distance, lap time, grade, elevation, ascent remaining, total ascent
Screen 3Heart rate, percent of max, cadence, time of day, battery level, Di2 battery
Di2 shifter buttonsLeft shifter: press for previous page, double press for the map, hold for next page. Right shifter: press for next page, double press for the elevation profile, hold for previous page
Other pagesMap, elevation, ClimbPro (during a climb), lap summary, workout, segment, stamina, solar, eBike metrics; Power Guide is unused because there is no power meter

The Edge can create a round-trip course from a distance, start location and direction: Navigation > Courses > Round-Trip Course. It can also turn a saved ride into a course, or receive one sent from Garmin Connect: choose Send to Device in the app, sync the Edge, pick the course, then select Ride. The shift mode can be changed from Settings > Sensors > Di2 > Sensor Details > Shifting Mode.

Garmin Edge 540 and 840 with buttons labeled
The buttons
Garmin manual steps for creating a round-trip course
Creating a round-trip course
Garmin manual steps for following a course from Garmin Connect
Following a course

Data

Head units · Di2 shifting · power pedals · ride files

The short version. The S5 and the Caledonia-5 are fully integrated. The bike computer on each handlebar talks to the bike’s Shimano Di2 electronic drivetrain, so the screen shows the current front and rear gear and the Di2 battery level. The Karoo also shows the shift mode, and both computers can change the shift mode. On both bikes, the Di2 shifter buttons also flip the computer’s screens.

Sherwick’s S5 adds Wahoo power pedals. The left and right pedals each connect to the head unit on their own, so the computer receives power from each leg separately.

All the data from every ride can be downloaded to Garmin Connect and TrainingPeaks, as well as Strava.

How the data flows

S5

1Left power pedalRight power pedal2Hammerhead Karoo 23Garmin Connect4TrainingPeaksStrava

Caledonia-5

1Ultegra Di2 drivetrain2Garmin Edge 840 Solar3Garmin Connect4TrainingPeaksStrava

Wahoo POWRLINK ZERO power pedals

Power is how hard the rider pushes the pedals, measured in watts. Power balance shows how that effort is split between the left and right legs.

TypeDual-sided power pedals
MeasuresPower, cadence and power balance, for each side
Accuracy±1%
Crank length165 mm
CalibrationAutomatic: the pedals calibrate themselves, replacing manual calibration
PairingWahoo app > Manage sensors > scroll down to the pedals (POWRLINK ZERO 73F8)
MorePedals · Charging kit · Setup guide
Wahoo app screen for the connected POWRLINK ZERO pedals showing automatic calibration on and a 165 mm crank length
The pedals in the Wahoo app

Cervélo P4

Sherwick’s · 2010 · Dura-Ace 7900 10-speed · size 48 · time trial and triathlon

Close-up of the Cervélo P4 head tube with P4 decal
Head tube detail, with the P4 badge and red accents.
  • 17.0 lbrace setup
  • 17.5 lbtraining setup
  • 650Csmall wheels
  • 10 × 2cable gears

The short version. The P4 is a time-trial bike, made for racing alone against the clock, where drafting behind others is not allowed. Every tube is airfoil-shaped, the brake hardware is built into the frame, and there is a built-in drink system. A layer of Kevlar, the fiber used in body armor, reinforces the head tube area against impact. Small 650C wheels keep the rider low and compact.

Components
Drivetrain
Shimano
GroupDura-Ace 7900, 10-speed
Crankset7900, 170 mm, 53/39
Cassette7900, 11-25 (race and training)
Other drivetrain parts
ChainYumeya 7900 TiN, 10-speed
PedalsSpeedplay X/1 titanium
Wheels and tires
RaceHED H3 650C tubular, Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 21 mm tires (5.0 lb pair)
TrainingMavic Ksyrium Elite clincher, 18/20 spokes, Hutchinson 23 mm tires (5.5 lb pair)
Cockpit and seat
BarsEaston Attack TT 42 mm carbon integrated
Stem3T ARX Team 96°, 100 mm
Brake leversVision Tech aero
SeatpostCervélo Aero carbon
Frame and fork
FrameCervélo Smartwall TrueAero tubes; ICS3 internal cable stops; integrated brake (IBT), hydration and seatpost clamp; dropped down tube; high- and ultra-high-modulus carbon strips against side bending
Geometry (48)Stack 461 mm; reach 389 mm; head angle 72°; seat angle 78°; top tube 490 mm; bottom bracket drop 43 mm; standover 716 mm
ForkFK25 carbon, 1-1/8" steerer

Cervélo P3

Jami’s · 2010 · Dura-Ace 7900 10-speed · size 48 · time trial and triathlon

Close-up of the Cervélo P3 head tube with P3 decal
Head tube detail with the P3 badge and 3T stem.
  • 17.0 lbrace setup
  • 18.0 lbtraining setup
  • 650Csmall wheels
  • 10 × 2cable gears

The short version. The P3 is the P4’s sibling. It uses the same frame shape and geometry, but skips the built-in brake and drink system, which makes it simpler. It weighs the same in race trim, so the extras on the P4 add no weight penalty on paper.

Components
Drivetrain
Shimano
GroupDura-Ace 7900, 10-speed
Crankset7900, 170 mm, 53/39
Cassette7900, 11-25 race or 12-25 training
Other drivetrain parts
ChainWippermann Connex stainless
PedalsSpeedplay X/2 stainless steel
Wheels and tires
RaceHED H3 650C tubular, Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 21 mm tires (5.0 lb pair)
TrainingEaston Vista clincher, 20/24 spokes, Hutchinson 23 mm tires (6.0 lb pair)
Cockpit and seat
BarsXentis Aero Base X1 IBL 39 mm with Aero Action X1 BES integrated carbon
Stem3T ARX Team 96°, 90 mm
Brake leversXentis carbon, integrated
SeatpostCervélo Aero carbon
Frame and fork
FrameCervélo Smartwall TrueAero tubes; ICS3 internal cable stops; high- and ultra-high-modulus carbon strips; Kevlar in the head tube and down tube area
Geometry (48)Same as the P4: stack 461 mm, reach 389 mm, 72°/78° angles
Fork3T Funda Pro carbon, 1-1/8" steerer

Seven Axiom

Sherwick’s · Custom-built by Seven Cycles · triathlon frame converted to a road bike · Shimano mechanical · restored in 2023

Brushed bare-metal Seven Axiom head tube with Chris King headset and a 2006 Ironman bike inspection sticker
The Axiom name on the top tube, a Chris King headset above it, and a 2006 Ironman bike-inspection sticker still on the frame.

The short version. This is a custom-built bicycle from Seven Cycles, made to the rider’s measurements. It started life as a triathlon frame, and the inspection sticker shows it was checked in at an Ironman race in 2006. It has since been converted into a restored road bike with a mechanical Shimano drivetrain, meaning the gears shift through cables instead of electronics. The frame has a brushed, unpainted finish.

History and 2023 restoration

Built asCustom triathlon frame by Seven Cycles
NowRestored road bike
DrivetrainShimano, mechanical shifting
FrameRefurbish with new decals
ForkReplacement planned; waiting-list lead time about 28 weeks
HeadsetChris King, replaced after corrosion damage
BearingsWheel bearings repacked; new bottom bracket
FittingsStripped bottle-cage bolts replaced; new titanium cages
PedalsWahoo pedals moved to the S5

The year, frame material, weight and full parts list are not in the source files. Add them here.

Calfee

Jami’s · Carbon-fiber frame · triathlon bike converted to a road bike

Blue Calfee frame stays with a carbon rim, black hub and rear cassette
Rear triangle with Calfee lettering and nautilus logo, a carbon-fiber rim, and the rear hub and cassette.

The short version. This is a carbon-fiber Calfee that was originally a triathlon bicycle. It has been converted into a road bicycle for Jami. Calfee Design is a small California builder known for hand-built frames. The bike has deep blue paint with white lettering and a woven carbon-fiber rim.

History and details

Built asCarbon-fiber triathlon bicycle
NowRoad bicycle, set up for Jami
FrameCalfee carbon fiber, deep blue paint, white lettering and a nautilus-shell logo
WheelsCarbon-fiber rim with a visible weave; black spokes
HubHimble

The model, year, weight and full parts list are not in the source files. Add them here.