After releasing their impressive PRsix, Quintana Roo decided to follow it up with the PRfive, a lower-priced model that, in many respects, improves on the original. The frame design is largely identical, with the big departure being a traditional fork. This allows for greater flexibility in choosing your position, as any 1 1/8” stem will work. And it makes travel easier as well.

The frame comes out of the same molds, which means the aerodynamic performance is almost identical. The fork itself gives you the option of just about any aero brake on the market, with threading for direct-mount brakes as well as a center hole mount for more traditional brakes. And this flexibility also extends to the under-the-bottom bracket rear brake, which can take Magura, Shimano, Tri-Rig, TRP, and others. The frame comes with Shimano Ultegra direct mounts.

The downtube is where the PR series bikes have major innovations. The fork crown notch is a great touch, but it is only the obvious. Not all downtubes, not all aero downtubes, are created equal. The PR bikes have two technologies going for them. The first is their Shift+ design, which shifts the air flowing around your downtube to the left, the cleaner side of the bike. This minimizes the air getting batted around by the drivetrain. The second is a static downtube orientation. The downtube is quietly one of the big variables in aerodynamics, because the distance from the front wheel to the tube typically changes over a size run, with the smaller sizes being more aero in zero-yaw conditions, and the bigger sizes having more of a sail effect in crosswinds. By keeping the distance between the trailing edge of the front wheel a consistent distance from the downtube, the bikes are more consistently aero across the size run. On the backside of the downtube, the boat tail shaping works as a better shroud for water bottles, costing only 3.9 watts vs. up to 6.3w for the competition.

The PF30 bottom bracket offers great flexibility in terms of crank choices. It also provides an oversized center to better create a low drag left chainstay. The tall, narrow stay is leading edge absent, meaning it’s nearly invisible to the wind. The extra material also helps with drivetrain efficiency, minimizing lateral flex from pedaling. Yes, it adds a little weight. But it also means that the PRfive can have thinner, lighter seatstays.

When taken as an overall package, the PRfive is one of the lightest tri’ frames around. Over 400g lighter than some of it’s competition. That it’s so light increases it’s value. Lighter bikes are easier to accelerate, easier to climb, and feel better whenever doing more than simply hammering in a straight line on a flat road.

The bike is also built for sizing flexibility. Thanks to the sliding saddle clamp on the seatpost, the seat angle can effectively be as slack as 77-degrees, as aggressive as 83-degrees.

Quintana Roo has added some pretty cool features to their frames so that the rider can really fine-tune the experience. This frame comes with both horizontal and vertical dropouts. You can swap them as you see fit. Verticals are easier when changing wheels. Horizontals are better for perfecting the tire selection aerodynamics. As it is, most 25mm tires should fit. However, the rear could potentially accommodate 28mm rubber if the horizontal dropouts are installed. Wheel selection, btw, is not limited by this frameset. The widest rims and discs fit just fine-and the direct mount brakes make it easier.

Because QR is agnostic on things like mechanical or hydraulic braking and mechanical or electronic shifting, they designed the frame to accommodate all. There’s room for hydraulic hose and the derailleur cable entry and exit points are designed to be filled in with either plugs or stops, and both are included with the frame.