Cervelo S5vsLook 795 Blade RS

These bikes aren’t just fighting over drag coefficients; they’re fighting over the soul of the modern aero racer. Cervélo has effectively sidelined its own climbing bike, the R5, by making the S5 light and stable enough to dominate even mountainous stages in the WorldTour. It’s a system-engineered rocket that treats the frame, wheels, and rider as a single unit. Look, conversely, has moved away from the experimental silhouettes of its past to deliver the 795 Blade RS—a bike that looks more traditional but relies on massive bottom bracket stiffness and Ultra High Modulus carbon to win through explosive responsiveness. While Cervélo claims a 6.3-watt advantage over the previous model, the real story is how they achieved it through evolution rather than revolution. Look’s ground-up redesign focuses on 'efficiency,' which is code for making the bike easier to live with—using standard thru-axles and a T47 bottom bracket—without sacrificing the speed needed to stay in a pro peloton. The Cervélo is for the rider who wants a wind-tunnel-verified weapon that feels stable in crosswinds, while the Look targets those who want the sharpest, most direct power transfer possible, even if it means more vibration at the bars.

The S5 is a straight-line bullet that remains unbothered by crosswinds that would make other deep-rim bikes jittery. Reviewers consistently call it 'planted,' but not in a way that feels sluggish; instead, it has a 'low, brooding hum' that rewards high-wattage efforts. Its secret weapon is the surprisingly high degree of comfort provided by the Reserve 57|64 wheels paired with 29mm tires. It absorbs road buzz better than a dedicated aero machine should, making it viable for long century rides without leaving the rider feeling broken. The Look 795 Blade RS is a different animal. It’s a 'racer’s race bike' with a stiff, unforgiving character that communicates every pebble on the road directly to your hands. On smooth European tarmac, it’s a dream, offering 'whip-crack sharp' handling and a solid platform for out-of-the-saddle sprinting. However, once the pavement turns 'pimply' or broken, that rigidity becomes a liability, leading to quicker fatigue and a more 'uncontrolled' sensation than the more refined Cervélo. While the S5 tracks turns with precision, it does have a demanding nature on technical descents. One reviewer found it trickier to handle on fast downhill turns than competitors like the Tarmac SL8. The Look, by contrast, relies on its 'rock-solid' front end to inspire confidence, though its stock 25mm tires and narrow rims feel dated in a world moving toward high-volume compliance. If the road isn't perfect, the Look will let you know in the most direct way possible.