Cervélo ZHT-5

92/100
BikeRide Score
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Users (0 ratings)
0
Experts (4 reviews)
88
Cervélo ZHT-5
Where to buy
$2,219.95 Mike's Bikes See it
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Facts

Gender
Men, Women
Type
Cross Country, Mountain, Non-Electric
Release Year
2022
Brand
Cervélo
Wheel Size
29”
Number of Gears
12
Gearing Type
External Derailleur
Weight
19.6, 20.08 lb
Suspension
Front
Brake Type
Disc: Hydraulic
Frame Material
Carbon Fiber

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cervélo ZHT-5. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

13 reasons to buy

  • Experts unanimously praise the "impressive" compliance and fatigue-reducing comfort.
  • The Cervélo ZHT-5 has a "seriously stiff and tough" BSA threaded bottom bracket.
  • Cervélo provides a "no questions asked" lifetime warranty with the frame.
  • The frame has no rider weight limit.
  • An expert says climbing is "effortless" due to the low weight and seated geometry.
  • All testers note the frame's responsiveness, launching forward with "every watt you push."
  • A reviewer relishes the precise and forgiving downhill performance, with "lots of traction" for leaning into corners.
  • Experts enjoy the performance on "tight, winding" singletrack and the ease of taking aggressive lines.
  • The Reserve carbon rims (top two builds) are "more compliant than most race wheels."
  • Two experts feel the ZHT-5 is a great option for long-distance riding.
  • The frame's balance of efficiency and comfort is the standout feature for one tester.
  • A tester appreciates the inclusion of Maxxis Recon Race tires, which provide "predictable grip" on wet trails.
  • The agile ZHT-5 changes direction "with playful ease."

4 reasons not to buy

  • Experts feel this is an expensive bike, especially the top build.
  • The ZHT-5 lacks a dropper post but has routing for one.
  • The 2.4" tires have higher rolling resistance than typical XC tire widths.
  • One expert feels the 160mm brake rotors are too small, especially for heavy riders.

Bottom line

Cervélo's ZHT-5 is a cross-country hardtail available in three builds. It receives high marks from reviewers who laud the balance of compliance and responsiveness, impressive handling on tight trails, and forgiving downhill performance. Fatigue-reducing comfort and "effortless" climbing make the ZHT-5 suited to long-distance riding. The top-end builds also make solid race machines with their Reserve carbon wheels and electronic drivetrains. Despite the ZHT-5's well-rounded performance, experts feel there are better-value options on the market.

Expert Reviews

88/100 based on 4 rated expert reviews
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90
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This review has been given a score. Read more here
GuyKesTV
Level 3 expert

Cervelo’s New MTB: ZHT-5 Exclusive Live Ride Review

Level 3 expert

It’s actually a really fun, versatile cross-country bike, whether that means racing to you or just putting in a lot of miles for a lot of smiles…

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89
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here
Canadian Cycling Magazine
Level 3 expert

Review: Cervélo ZHT-5

Level 3 expert

… the ZHT-5 does what Cervélo’s always done best: it focuses on refining a design to do one thing extremely well, in this case, that’s delivering a lightweight frame that balances comfort and speed.

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90
Bike Perfect
Level 4 expert

Cervélo ZHT-5 XX1 AXS First Ride Review – The Road Royalty Brand’s Dirt Debut

Level 4 expert

Cervélo’s brand-new hardtail mixes blistering lightweight race speed with outstanding grip and fatigue-soothing forgiveness to make an awesome race-day or all-day distance and summit shrinker for those with deep pockets or cost-no-object podium priorities.

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82
BIKE Magazin
Level 3 expert

Cervélo ZHT-5 Test [German]

Level 3 expert

On the downhill, Cervelo’s first mountain bike demonstrates balanced and uncomplicated handling. Thanks to the combination of a long reach, compact rear end, and steep steering angle, the ZHT-5 steers directly and can be easily maneuvered through tight corners.

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mtbr
Level 5 expert

Cervelo ZHT-5 Race First Ride Review

Level 5 expert

… the ZHT-5 combines explosive climbing speed and shocking acceleration with significantly boosted grip and nuanced, fatigue-soothing flow, which makes it one of the finest premium speed/distance hardtails available right now.

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PIANETAMTB
Level 1 expert

Cervélo ZHT-5 Test: Rigid, Reactive, Fast [Italian]

Level 1 expert

We can summarize the new Cervélo in three simple words: Rigid, Responsive, Fast.

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Velozine
Level 1 expert

Test | Cervélo ZHT-5: Hardtail With Race Genes… [Dutch]

Level 1 expert

With regard to riding characteristics, Cervélo succeeds brilliantly in its goal with the ZHT-5 based on geometry and stiffness; it is a very fast cross-country hardtail. The ZHT-5 challenges you to keep the speed high on both straight strips and tight singletrack.

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Vojo
Level 3 expert

Test | Cervélo ZHT-5: With Discretion [French]

Level 3 expert

This ZHT-5 is a good bike, but given what Cervélo is releasing on the road or in cyclocross, we say to ourselves that they should be able to offer us things that are even a notch above in the near future.

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MTB News
Level 3 expert

Cervélo ZHT-5 Test [German]

Level 3 expert

To our surprise, the ZHT-5 proved to be a guarantee of fun with plenty of potential and great fun on the descents, despite its less progressive geometry values.

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User Ratings

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

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#10 Best Cross Country
Top 40%
#28 Best Mountain
Top 30%
#2 Best Cervélo Bike
Top 30%
#162 Best of All Bikes
Top 30%

Best Cross Country Bikes

Cross country bikes with the highest BikeRide Scores
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Bike Comparison

Cervélo ZHT-5 in comparison to averages
Cervélo ZHT-5
92
Average All Bikes
86
Average Cervélo Bike
89
Average Cross Country Bike
88

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