Looking to buy a new bike after owning an S1 bike for nearly 7 years. Found a local dealer has inventory of  2012 and 2013 model years S5 bikes (new) framesets in my size. Am I making a big mistake on buying an older S5 model by saving hundreds (or even thousands?) of dollars?? The newest models can accommodate tires up to 28 (I am told by the shop). Beside that what else am I missing? Are the newer models really that much more comfortable? Faster? FYI, I don't race - unless it my buddies for bragging rights. I would most likely swap my SRAM Red components to the new frameset. I could use my current wheels for the new frameset as well. Or just get new ones with the money saved. Please help me out. I really cant demo the old vs newer bikes to compare so I would be relying on your (and the shops) feedback. Thanks in advance!

In comparison to the S1 the 2012 S5 will be a revelation, even with 23mm tires .. the biggest advantage of carbon is it's ride quality and the biggest advantage of the S5 is it's speed .. oSo >>

I had the 2012 S5 Team edition and now have the 2017 S5. I'd say the only "disadvantages" I feel are; the tire issue, the geometry if you like an aggressive position and I believe the newer S5 is stiffer. You can always get the newer seatpost for comfort.

I've got a 2013 S5 (bought as a "last year's model" in 2014) and love it. I've raced it, trained on it, and ridden it for pleasure here and on holiday in France. I've not ridden one of the newer ones but... - you can still get the front end fairly low if you err on the smaller side of frame sizing (I've had both 51 and 54 frames; my S5 is a 51) - the plain old non-tapered headset is still firm enough for pretty rapid descending; the newer one may be better at pro level, but for mere mortals.. - I run fairly wide Spin Industries carbon wheels with 23mm tyres, which are perfectly happy and comfortable at low-ish pressures (75psi) and give bags of grip. Other than that, the later colour schemes are a bit funkier, and the revised fork doesn't chip its own paint on the downtube if you turn it too far while packing it in a bike box. Apart from that - save away! Phil B York, UK

i have a 2012 S5 VWD - unfortunately there is a massive handling difference between this and my 2016 R5, 2018 R5, and 2018 S5 bikes. The 2012 S5 is twitch and unstable descending compared to the 2018 models. I am a good descender, being able to match times with the pros down our descents here in stages of the Tour Down Under, Adelaide, Sth Australia. I am unable to get with a minute or 2 of my descent times on the 2018 bikes with the 2012, and trying to descend fast on the 2012 S5 produces poo in pants moments quite often. The 2018 bikes are similar across the R and S models for handling. the other downfalls of the 2012 S5 is 23mm tires are all u will fit on front and rear. The head tube is also tall, and very flexy, if your a decent sprinter. If u want to run a low bar position the u have to resort to -17 deg stems.

HarryVolmer:

i have a 2012 S5 VWD - unfortunately there is a massive handling difference between this and my 2016 R5, 2018 R5, and 2018 S5 bikes. The 2012 S5 is twitch and unstable descending compared to the 2018 models. I am a good descender, being able to match times with the pros down our descents here in stages of the Tour Down Under, Adelaide, Sth Australia. I am unable to get with a minute or 2 of my descent times on the 2018 bikes with the 2012, and trying to descend fast on the 2012 S5 produces poo in pants moments quite often. The 2018 bikes are similar across the R and S models for handling. the other downfalls of the 2012 S5 is 23mm tires are all u will fit on front and rear. The head tube is also tall, and very flexy, if your a decent sprinter. If u want to run a low bar position the u have to resort to -17 deg stems.

 

Thank you all for the feedback! This last post really helped confirm that I made the "right" decision. Going with a 2018 R5 disk (Classic) frameset . Ultimately, I said screw it and didn't want any regrets - especial about the opportunity with going with wider tires and especially going with disk brakes. As a heavier rider I was always concerned about descending mountains and stopping myself as the carbon brake tracks heated up. Had a horrible blow out experience a few years ago on Mt Baldy (Southern Cali) that I was able to safely walked away from. But the memory is forever in the back of my mind. I decided to pay more for the piece of mind of not having to relive that frightful situation. :-)