Cervélo announces updated version of P5 time trial bike The P5 model has been Cervélo's time trial bike for years, but news of the new model was announced yesterday ahead of today's seventh time trial stage of the Tour de France.

The changes to the new bike's frame are quite subtle, and while there are elements that distinguish the new bike from the old, they are obvious. This is often the case unless the time trial frames undergo a radical overhaul. Overall, the new bike is said to be 5 watts faster than the old bike.

Cervélo clearly explains the updates the new bikes have received, which are available with triathlon-specific frame bottles and top tube bags, or without such equipment as used by World Tour stars like Jonas Vingegaard.

To check out the bikes and equipment used by all the Tour de France teams, see the Tour de France Bike Guide.

Cervélo claims that the P5 was built to be as fast as possible between point A and point B.

The P5 is a "bike for the road.

The bike's press materials state that feedback from professional riders, CFD analysis, and a 3D printed test frame all contributed to the development of the new P5.

At first glance, the changes to the new P5 frame can most easily be found around the head tube and seatstay/top tube junction.

Cervélo further explains that there are actually not many "additional optimizations" that can be made to stay within the constraints of the UCI design rules. What they did was to widen the fork and stays to make way for wider, faster wheels that could use 29mm tires. In the first time trial, the team apparently used 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed tires. The "fastback" seatstays are said to reduce longitudinal stiffness by 22% while maintaining the lateral stiffness needed for optimal power transfer.

The wheels in question are Reserve 77/88, which are said to be aerodynamically faster and the high-capacity tires reduce rolling resistance. Overall, the new frame is said to result in a 1-watt savings, and the Reserve/Vittoria tire package is said to result in an additional 4-watt savings.

The P5's one-piece front end is now simpler to assemble and adjust. The base bar is 10 mm lower and the bar risers are more adjustable for tilt. Armrests and padding are also wider, higher, and thicker for greater comfort and confidence. According to the brand, the greater control allows riders to spend more time in the most aero position possible.

The P5 will be available as a frameset for $6,000/€6,499/£5,500.

The Ultegra di2 version is priced at $10,000 / €14,000 / £8,900, while the Dura-Ace version is $13,500 / €13,999 / £12,000

The Slam Red AXS is $13,500 / €14,999 / 12,000 lbs. Force AXS model is $10,000 / €TBC / £8,900.