Cervelo ZFS-5 Review | A brand new XC bike that's surprised us in more ways than one

See the full review right here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/ce...
As the first full suspension mountain bike from Cervelo, the ZFS-5 is a big deal. It follows the introduction of the ZHT-5 hardtail in late 2022, and joins a broader movement of roadie brands including Wilier, Pinarello, Factor and Ridley, that have recently dived into the XC market.
If you’re thinking the ZFS-5 looks familiar, that’s because it shares a lot of its DNA with the Santa Cruz Blur. Both Cervelo and Santa Cruz are owned by the Dutch conglomerate Pon Holdings, which has allowed the two brands to benefit from their respective design and manufacturing prowess. Despite the similar appearance however, the ZFS-5 isn’t just a rebadged Blur. To dig into the differences and find out if it’s ready to take on the best XC bikes on the market, we got our hands on the Cervelo ZFS-5 to put to the test.
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Cervelo ZFS-5 Video Review Contents
0:00 - Cervelo ZFS-5 Overview
0:37 - Frame & Suspension Design
1:38 - Geometry & Sizing
2:11 - Cervelo ZFS-5 Price & Specs
2:50 - Cervelo ZFS-5 Weight
3:20 - Riding the Cervelo ZFS-5
5:12 - Strengths
5:46 - Weaknesses
7.03 - Component Highs & Lows
8:00 - Flow's Verdict
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[@spinthatup3851]

Great review as usual guys! I've been on mine for a month now and it truly surprised me with just how playful and trail bikey it can feel! I was expecting this to be far more 'road' orientated and less supple on the suspension. Love mine and will be my go to trail bike over the summer. I'll be fitting the remote to a rear shock over the summer for exactly what you said. I've fitted mine with Forekasters too which is super fun.

[@kevinlaevers9356]

Do you ride the 100 or 120mm version? For a 2P shock I don’t think a remote add’s much value. What do you think about swapping to the new RockShox SIDLuxe 3P? You lose the Cervelo specific tune. Do you miss a ‘pedal’ mode?

[@andrewcharlesworth2512]

Another excellent review Will

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks very much mate, appreciate the feedback! [Wil]

[@BurntToast1]

Great review! Sounds like the riding characteristics are in the same end of the XC spectrum as the Merida ninety-six, also with the burlier trail spec available.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks mate! For sure some similarities with the Merida Ninety-Six, which is an excellent XC bike that's well-priced too! [Wil]

[@TheBaldTruth1]

I just pulled the trigger on one of these, the 120 version. Great deals in the U.S. on them now. Thanks for the thorough review.

[@cryptochan3640]

How do you like it? Thinking of doing the same

[@TheBaldTruth1]

@@cryptochan3640 Sorry for the delayed reply. I just installed a dropper on it. I just went on the maiden voyage and so far I like the frame and suspension a lot. I like light bikes. My other two MTBs are an Orba Alma hardtail and a Trek Fuel EX. This Cervelo slots between them. The suspension is active and I was surprised to see how much traction it adds on the climbs. The bike feels almost as light as the hardtail, but with the benefits of full suspension. By comparison, the Trek Fuel EX is a dump truck. I've been a Shimano man all my life, so the stock GX gruppo may go at some point.

[@cryptochan3640]

@thebaldtruth1 Thank you so much

[@TheBaldTruth1]

@@cryptochan3640 Update. I think it's a quiver killer. It's nearly as light as my Orbea Alma carbon hardtail and has a better suspension for my riding style and terrain than my trail bike (Trek Fuel EX Gen 5 carbon). It has me ecstatic with every ride. At long last, I have the perfect bike for me. I'll be selling the trail bike, but keeping the hardtail for more XC/Gravel-oriented rides. I'm surprised Mike's Bikes has any left at their blowout price.

[@cryptochan3640]

@thebaldtruth1 you're killing me. I'm trying to convince myself I don't need one but all signs point to the checkout cart.

[@wedgett1]

Great bike for cashed up roadies wanting to get into MTB. $12k doesn't even get you Fox Factory suspension these days - insane.

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

350 hubs That are great bomb proof tho mid level

[@pablomondragon5738]

Good review!!!! This bike shows that it is not necessary to innovate, simply learn from others and do things better

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks mate! Agreed on the innovation side. It's refreshing to see a brand that doesn't feel pressured to add features and gizmos just to make something seem different, and I'm glad that Cervelo decided to leverage the considerable experience of Santa Cruz to make what is a fairly classic but extremely well-rounded XC bike. [Wil]

[@brucehumphries6889]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin They did add the headset routing…

[@TheBaldTruth1]

@@brucehumphries6889 I like the headset routing on my bike. Looks cleaner. I installed a dropper and the headset routing did not make the job any more difficult.

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome cool bike

[@Doggepp]

Hey Will! What is your opinion on this ZFS-5 vs Epic evo? I am starting to pick parts for my new XC build for the summer, and havent decided on an actual frame yet. Thinking about the Cervelo, but might wanna wait for the new Epic/Epic EVO whenever specialized decides to present them. What do you think about this?

[@ridehighcountry]

Definitely a great ride for the MTB trails around Yackandandah when you #RideHighCountry!

[@brucehumphries6889]

How does it compare to the Epic Evo?

[@OwenL2020]

Been on this bike (120mm Rock Shox version) for about 4 months now. It is fast, capable, and climbs like a mother. I would say the one big drawback other than the configuration of the headset, is the brakes. SRAM Levels are not it. I'll be replacing those before too long.

[@TheBaldTruth1]

I agree. I have the "Bronze" Levels. My first SRAM brakes. I am going to try to bleed them because I don't trust that Mike's Bikes did a perfect job on the brakes before they shipped the bike to me. There is a lot of mush and play in the lever. If after bleeding they are not better, I'll go Shimano or Magura.

[@chitowncx]

Please get Sepp one and enter him into the Cape Epic please!

[@diego-jz4jj]

Nice review!!! Do you know what is the weight of the frame??

[@MichaelLikesToWrite]

'Off road vacuum cleaner' :-) a new technical term for the workshop

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Happy to help :-) [WIl]

[@basrutten1767]

Great review! I will order a ZFS-5 frame to build my own 120/115 version. Any advise on wether to go with Fox or Rockshox? is the Fox SC34 / Float combination worth the premium price over the SID / SID Luxe?

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks mate, glad you liked the review! I've really been digging the 2024 RockShox SID & SIDLuxe shock; flowmountainbike.com/tests/2024-rockshox-sid-sidluxe-ultimate-review/ If I was building up a frame from scratch, I'd personally go the RockShox route. I also prefer the TwistLoc Ultimate remote over the Fox equivalent. What else are you planning to build the new bike with? [Wil]

[@basrutten1767]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin Thanks for the reply Will! I have a ‘21 Stumpjumper as my go to bike for almost everything and a Chisel hardtail that was meant just for fun and some occasional gravel. But the speed of the Chisel has become so addictive, and because of it I am growing more and more into XC again. I hope the Cervelo wil give me some of that extra speed, compared to my SJ, but still be capable of long rides. The Cervelo will be build with some of the parts now on my Chisel, being a set of Roval Control 29mm carbon wheels, Sram X01 axs and G2 RSC brakes. Together with a Bikeyoke dropper I hope to keep it under 11 kg :-) Greetz, Bas

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

That sounds awesome mate, good luck with the build! [Wil]

[@wd99999]

Dem seat stays are skiiiinnny

[@TheUsername1302]

I am considering the 100mm version and add a dropper to it as I don’t really need the extra travel where I live, not even on my long marathon rides. Have you tested the xc version?

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Not yet, though I'm hoping to change to a SID & SIDLuxe with the TwistLoc Ultimate remote on our Cervelo test bike, possibly with a 110mm travel fork as a bit of an in-between setup. Could be interesting! [Wil]

[@mmathews65]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin Hi Wil, I'd really like to hear how you go with your in-between Rockshox build. I'm keen for that similar geo and spec for a slightly more trailish-XC bike with 3 position twistloc and dropper. Cheers Mark

[@frienduro24]

Curious why did you guys review the trail version and not the 100mm XC version? I’m guessing it rides more like the Lux WC.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

We were offered both options by Cervelo originally, and I decided to pick the 120/115mm travel model as it's the more contemporary option that will likely suit a wider range of riders. It's more comparable to the Scott Spark, Orbea Oiz and Epic EVO, which are all thoroughly popular XC bikes that offer a little more capability, comfort and fun without weighing that much more than shorter travel bikes like the Epic WC and Supercaliber. In fact, this Cervelo ZFS-5 with its 120/115mm travel package is actually lighter than the 110/80mm travel Supercaliber SLR 9.8 we tested recently, despite both bikes costing the same amount ($12K AUD). Of course there are other reasons why some folks might choose the Supercaliber, but I'd personally go with the Cervelo. I'm hoping to get my hands on a 110mm SID, SIDLuxe shock and a TwistLoc Ultimate 3-pos remote for the Cervelo, as I reckon that would be a pretty sweet race setup! [Wil]

[@shane4176]

Why does he keep calling it a zed fs 5? Sweet looking bike great review.

[@tyleraltom6026]

They pronounce the letter “Z” as “zed” in most English speaking countries outside the US

[@clintdraper8047]

What sort of frame warrenty in years with this bike? If you had to choose between the 120mm Cervelo or the 120mm Specialized sworks Epic Evo what do you choose?

[@frienduro24]

Cervelo is life time. I believe the Epic has more pedal bob on climbs

[@clintdraper8047]

@Jasongristick Appreciate the feedback. Currently have Epic Evo. Interested in the Cervelo 120mm.

[@yuriivorobei5901]

Great review! Nice bike! But I 'm wondering. Who told some brands that if you don't race you don't need a remote lockout? On some trails with my Canyon Lux I change suspension mode almost as often as shift the gear.

[@basrutten1767]

Common sense I guess, why would you want to toggle that switch so often when you are not aming for a place on a podium? I rather focus on the next bend than constanly have to think if I am in the most effective suspension mode. But that’s me, I’m even waiting for the day that I can get an automatic transmission on my bike 😊

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review! Cervelo provides two different builds in the ZFS-5 lineup; an XC version with 100/100mm of travel and a dual remote lockout, and the 120/115mm travel build without a remote lockout. So there are options to suit different riders depending on their preference. [Wil]

[@bike314]

I'm disappointed you didn't call out the headset cable routing as a con

[@coreymclernon]

Why, what’s the problem?

[@alexioflexio8818]

They are disappointed in your disappointment

[@tomgrant6563]

​@@coreymclernonnightmare to work on.

[@frienduro24]

I don’t think it’s inside the headset? Its just outside the frame? Servicing is not a problem then.

[@tomgrant6563]

​@@frienduro24 7:41

[@CrashBandiii]

Looks like a Blur Wait..wrong channel

[@petef15]

Sir Velo

[@CrashBandiii]

I've been riding for 20 years and owned a couple of them. I've never thought of it like that 😂😂 touché

[@brentcollins9727]

Was this filmed with an iPhone 1?

[@jonoharper4729]

It looks exactly like the Specialized Epic evo. Nice copy 👏👍

[@AndreasRavnestad]

Lol, not even close. Completely different linkage in so many ways. It does however look a lot like the Rocky Mountain Instinct (and similar models) with Ride9 linkage.

[@coreymclernon]

I sold my evo for this and I’m glad I did! I feel like this bike is more lively and not as sluggish.

[@playmoreguitar5393]

LOL you obv never seen an Epic?

[@playmoreguitar5393]

​@@coreymclernonyou know an Epic has more wins at the Cape Epic than any other bike? funny the fastest pros in the world would disagree with you... and i dont even own an epic myself (anymore). But i know BS when I see it on youtube 😂

[@coreymclernon]

@@playmoreguitar5393 , are we talking about the epic evo or the epic? Big difference in bikes.

[@laxplaysu91]

lol the mach 4 sl has way better components... mixing and matching sid and fox is gross

[@coreymclernon]

I got the XO build with the Santa Cruz wheels and mine was a little over seven grand? In the U.S

[@laxplaysu91]

⁠@@coreymclernonnone of the packages with XO transmission are just over $7k. You must mean GX transmission. Cervelo has the XO transmission at $8700 USD. It’s surprising there is no XTR option with stepcast 3 pos lockout front and rear

[@coreymclernon]

@@laxplaysu91 ok, yeah your right. I bought mine kinda mid summer. Not having three positions on the rear shock bugs me. On the fork is fine. I have the XO build. I’m 59 years old and it’s kinda hard getting used to the wireless shifter. Love the seat dropper that came with it so far!

[@playmoreguitar5393]

LoL at that price.... 😂 taking the piss as always.

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

5 k to much

[@andreamantovani5354]

Knock off of the Epic Evo

[@frienduro24]

Another reviewer said the Cervelo pedals better than the EVO, due to the EVO having a more active rear shock. Based on Will, the Cervelo is a great descender too.

[@coreymclernon]

If it’s a knock off of anything, it would be the Blur. But as he said slacker, longer reach and lighter.

[@tombeck129]

Sorry but this is such a grossly overpriced bike. It is hard to understand how one can reach the conclusion that it offers good value for the money. A consumer direct bike from Canyon, YT, etc. would get you an equivalent build for 1/2 the price. Consumers cannot ignore this anymore.

[@michaelvrbanac6923]

Another overpriced Cervelo.