Cervélo Bicycle Styles

At Cervélo we have five model families, each with their own characteristics. Cervélo currently makes 17 models to choose from, split over road racing and time trial/triathlon models. Road racing bikes are used in mass start events. For this style of racing, it is important for the bike to have specific handling characteristics since the courses involve tight corners and severe climbs, and are often ridden in packs of riders. Time trials and triathlons do not allow for riders to ride in a pack (this greatly reduces the aerodynamic drag and therefore the required effort) but rather is a battle of the rider against the wind. Aerodynamics is of paramount importance here, and the shape of the bike and position of the rider are tailored towards cutting through the wind rather than handling the bike in tight corners and over mountain passes. Visit www.cervelo.com for full product information and specs on all current Cervélo models.

Beginings

Cervélo Cycles Inc. began in 1995 when two engineers, Phil White and Gerard Vroomen decided to develop an innovative Time Trial bike design.

A top-ranked Italian pro cyclist, realizing that his bike sponsor did not have the interest or expertise to develop a leading edge design with the focus on time trialing and aerodynamics, asked Gerard to design just that - the fastest possible Time Trial bike. Starting from scratch and working in conjunction with the cyclist’s team, Vroomen and White designed and built it, initially as a one-off.

The objective was to produce a bike that was unbeatable in aerodynamics yet sacrificed nothing in weight or stiffness, and was unfettered by issues of marketability. The resulting design, the “Cervélo Baracchi” was a pretty radical bike that pushed the rules in almost every area. It tested extremely well for aerodynamics, as well as handling, stiffness and comfort (See Design Philosophy). It met with great enthusiasm by the team and everybody else they showed it to. Vroomen and White already had connections in triathlon and road racing; everywhere they went with the new bike, people asked where they could get one. Less then enthusiastic was the team’s bike sponsor who, just like other bike companies contacted by Vroomen and White, was not interested in making the Baracchi commercially available. Encouraged by pro riders and athletes in the cycling and triathlon world, they decided to start a company of their own and, Cervélo Cycles was born.

Cervélo, The Name

Cervélo is a combination of the Italian word for brain "cervello" and the French word for bike, "vélo". Literally that translates as ‘brainbike’ or a bike with some extra thought put into it. Vroomen and White thought it was funny at the time, so they used it as a working title and it stuck.

For more information on Cervelo open thier website by clicking here.