ZHT-5

Name: Cervelo ZHT-5
Brand: Cervelo

road

Algupära

The ZHT-5 is Cervelo's first-ever mountain bike, announced in 2022. The brand best known for WorldTour road and triathlon bikes applied its aero-carbon engineering from the R5 to create a World Cup XC hardtail. The "squared maintubes" borrowed from the R5 climbing bike translate aerodynamic efficiency into XC stiffness-to-weight. Post-mount brakes, internal headset routing, and lifetime frame+wheel warranty mark it as a premium product aimed squarely at the World Cup XC grid.

Tehnilised andmed

Raam: Carbon fiber; squared maintubes derived from R5 road frame; pencil-thin seatstays for compliance; frame weight 907 g (size M), 810 g (S) to 895 g (XL)
Kaal: kg
Jõuülekanne: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12-speed wireless; 32T chainring; 10–52T cassette; DUB threaded bottom bracket (top build); GX Eagle AXS on lower build
Pidurid: SRAM Level Ultimate 2-piston hydraulic disc; 160 mm rotors front and rear
Rattad: Reserve 28 XC carbon wheels; 29"; Industry Nine 1/1 hubs (XX1 build); Reserve XC28 rims ~385 g each

Verdikt

+Tugevused

Frame weight of 907 g (medium) is class-competitive for a carbon XC hardtail at this price
Road-derived tube stiffness translates into exceptional power transfer — sprinting feels direct and immediate
Reserve XC28 carbon wheels are a serious performance asset, saving rotational weight on every pedal stroke

−Nõrkused

No dropper post included (only routing) — a notable omission as XC racing increasingly embraces dropper standards
Fixed-height carbon seatpost limits on-course flexibility in technical terrain
Premium price puts it in direct competition with established XC specialists (Trek Supercaliber, Scott Spark RC) where Cervelo lacks MTB heritage