Cervélo Soloist

89/100
BikeRide Score
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Users (1 rating)
100
Experts (4 reviews)
83
Cervélo Soloist
Where to buy
$2,889.95 Mike's Bikes See it $5,199.00 Jenson USA See it $5,200.00 Comp­etitive Cyclist See it $5,200.00 Back­country See it $6,800.00 Con­tender Bicycles See it
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Facts

Gender
Men, Women
Type
Aero Road, Endurance Road, Non-Electric
Release Year
2023
Brand
Cervélo
Wheel Size
700c
Number of Gears
22 (2x11), 24 (2x12)
Gearing Type
External Derailleur
Weight
19.75, 18.67, 17.85 lb
Suspension
None
Brake Type
Disc: Hydraulic
Frame Material
Carbon Fiber

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cervélo Soloist. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

13 reasons to buy

  • Experts agree that the Soloist is a great all-rounder. One says, "It's a capable climber, descender, and distance machine…"
  • Testers appreciate the mechanical simplicity of the two-piece cockpit. This makes modifying rider position, upgrading, and maintenance easier.
  • One reviewer calls the Soloist Ultegra Di2 a great bike with a reasonable price and weight.
  • Experts believe Cervélo nailed the geometry, which balances stability and nimble handling "almost perfectly."
  • Testers say the ride quality is surprisingly smooth on bumpy roads and never feels too harsh despite the frame's stiffness.
  • The Reserve carbon wheels on the top two builds are tubeless-ready and lightweight at just 1400g for the pair. They also have a lifetime warranty.
  • Reviewers say the Vittoria Rubino Pro tires (all builds except Soloist 105) are durable and grippy.
  • Experts describe the handling as nimble and responsive. One says this makes the Soloist very fun to ride.
  • The Soloist has 34mm of tire clearance, which is high for this type of bike.
  • The Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes and 160mm rotors provide ample stopping power, according to one expert.
  • The Soloist frame is compatible with mechanical or electronic gearing.
  • Testers praise both Selle Italia saddles: the Model X and the higher-end Novus Boost Evo SuperFlow.
  • The stem face plate has a bike computer mount.

9 reasons not to buy

  • Most reviewers feel the Soloist is expensive at each build level.
  • According to experts, the Soloist is slightly heavier than competing bikes.
  • The aero Soloist seatpost lacks compliance, resulting in a rougher ride than one tester expected.
  • A reviewer is frustrated by the "awkward" saddle clamp bolts that make it tricky to set the seat angle.
  • The top two builds have alloy stems and handlebars instead of carbon, disappointing experts.
  • An expert thinks the stem length (100mm) and handlebar width (42cm) makes little sense, given that most racers use longer stems and narrower bars to optimize aerodynamics.
  • The "cost-cutting" 28mm Vittoria Rubino Pro tires (used on five of six builds) underwhelm testers of the Soloist Ultegra Di2.
  • One reviewer notes an internal hose rattling.
  • An expert complains that the Alexrims Boondocks 5 rims on the Soloist 105 are heavy and hinder the bike's potential.

Bottom line

Cervélo's Soloist is the reincarnation of an aero road bike first released by the brand in 2002. The modern version combines the characteristics of the R5 lightweight racer and Tour de France-winning S5 aero bike. The main criticisms are aimed at the inflated price tag, high weight, and cheap tires and handlebars. However, it wins praise for its balanced geometry, nimble handling, smooth ride, and stiff frame. Additionally, the two-piece cockpit makes adjustments, upgrades, and maintenance easy. The Soloist is available in six builds. Experts describe it as a great all-rounder suitable for a variety of riding styles and worthy of future upgrades.

Expert Reviews

83/100 based on 4 rated expert reviews
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80
Road.cc
Level 5 expert

Cervélo Soloist Ultegra

Level 5 expert

The balance of aero efficiency and low weight works nicely, while the ride quality is exceptional for such a stiff bike… the steering is quick, and it’s a nippy bike on the whole, but all of that can be exploited whatever your level of riding experience.

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90
BikeRadar
Level 5 expert

Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2 Review

Level 5 expert

… the new Soloist is light, aero, and smooth enough, and that adds up to a bike that’s fast and a joy to ride.

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80
3bikes.fr
Level 2 expert

First Test of the New Cervélo Soloist

Level 2 expert

For the whole package to be perfect, however, the tires would have to be upgraded first, and possibly the cockpit, to save a little weight and make the machine even more responsive. But this model is a success.

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80
RennRad
Level 3 expert

Testing the Cervélo Soloist

Level 3 expert

The new edition of the Cervélo Soloist scores as a balanced and stiff all-rounder that appeals to many types of riders.

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Canadian Cycling Magazine
Level 3 expert

First Look Review: Cervélo Revives the Soloist

Level 3 expert

The Soloist was a lot of fun, fast on pavement, while very capable on dirt roads—surprisingly so. A lot of the credit goes to the Reserve wheels…

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NorCal Cycling
Level 1 expert

New Bike Day! 2023 Cervélo Soloist Reviewed

Level 1 expert

This is going to be a great all-around race bike for me. I’m very excited to be on it.

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Hiker Biker Omar
Level 1 expert

Should You Buy the 2023 Cervélo Soloist 105 Mechanical?

Level 1 expert

Overall, I really enjoyed this bike. I was, however, disappointed we didn’t get the aero handlebar that the higher-specced versions of the bike include, and also disappointed we didn’t get a 105 crankset. 

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Velo
expert

2023 Cervélo Soloist Review: A Long-Awaited Sequel With Plenty Going For It

expert

Fast, but not too heavy. Refined geometry but still a racer at heart. Stiff and harsh, but hey, it’s a race bike. User-friendly, but not at the expense of marginal gains. Best of all, it’s racey but not extortionately priced.

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Rennrad News
Level 3 expert

Testing the Cervélo Soloist [German]

Level 3 expert

It’s fast, not too heavy, and offers a very safe and solid ride that immediately instills a lot of confidence, even in novice road cyclists. The tested Soloist 105 is, unfortunately, slowed down by the heavy wheels and thus cannot develop its full potential.

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WielerFlits.nl
Level 1 expert

Review: The Cervélo Soloist — A Very Enjoyable All-Rounder [Dutch]

Level 1 expert

… it is not the fastest bike, but it is a racer that guarantees a lot of fun.

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Grinta!
Level 3 expert

Road Bike of the Year Election: Cervélo Soloist [Dutch]

Level 3 expert

In the guise as we tested it, it’s not a true racing bike, but our additional rides confirmed that it does have a fun, nippy bike hidden underneath. It has a confident, non-nervous riding style that can suit a wide range of recreational and even competitive riders.

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BikeX
Level 3 expert

Cervélo Soloist: Confident All-Rounder [German]

Level 3 expert

… the Soloist confirms its role as a sporty all-rounder for every use… However, the impression is that the tested Spec with Shimano’s mechanical 105 and the rather heavy Alexrims wheels plus Vittoria tires does not fully bring the potential of the Soloist frame…

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User Ratings

100/100 based on 1 ratings
  • 5 star
    100%
  • 4 star
    0%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
    0%

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#11 Best Aero Road
Bottom 50%
#14 Best Endurance Road
Top 50%
#5 Best Cervélo Bike
Bottom 50%
#288 Best of All Bikes
Top 40%

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Bike Comparison

Cervélo Soloist in comparison to averages
Cervélo Soloist
89
Average All Bikes
86
Average Cervélo Bike
89
Average Non-Electric Bike
85

Forum Discussions

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