Scott’s booth was our first stop at Interbike. With their new Plasma 5 ( ) having been released only two months ago, this was our first chance to get up and close and personal with one. Lucky for us, Scott had not one, but two rideable Plasma 5 demos available at Outdoor Demo. Needless to say we didn’t hesitate to jump on the opportunity to take them for a long test ride. And once we arrived to the indoor show both, Scott and Zipp both had Plasma’s on hand – Zipp presented Sebastian Kienle’s Ironman European Championship winning bike.

We only logged 13 miles on the Plasma 5, and unfortunately we were either climbing up or going down (you can check out our elevation chart below).

While we didn’t spend a great deal of time in the aerobars, we can tell you that this bike handles as one of the lightest aero frames we have tested. Climbing wasn’t quite up there with a Pinarello F8 or Fuji Transonic, but the Plasma 5 certainly didn’t make us feel as though we were carrying an elephant over a mountain. At one point in the ride we got hit by some nasty cross winds, and while we could feel it, the bike solidly held the line. Overall, we walked away seriously wanting more. Lucky for us, the Aerogeeks should be getting a test bike after Kona for a long-term review. For now, check out the photos and let us know what you think!

Outdoor Demo

Day 1 of outdoor demo was a bit wet but that didn’t stop us from checking out the Plasma 5. The plastic missing above the brake cover is due to this being a demo (pre production) unit.

Where the seat tube meets the top tube

Some uniquely shaped chain stays

Clean routing into the top tube

The front end with the Profile Design bottle removed. The plastic missing above the brake cover is due to this being a demo (pre production) unit.

The complete front end. The plastic missing above the brake cover is due to this being a demo (pre production) unit.

The included bento box.

Plenty of room for gels and nutrition

The demo units were missing their refill port covers.

On the Interbike Floor

The complete package

Profile Design’s new T5 bars

Profile Design hydration storage

What the wind sees of the PD bottle

Front brakes hidden in the fork (you can also mount direct mount and standard brakes as well)

Seat tube and seat stays

Our one nit pick with the Plasma 5 on the floor. The cables entering under the bento box left a small gap for the wind. Hopefully final production versions fix this.

Kienle’s European Championship bike

What the wind saw of Kienle’s bike

If it’s going to be a Speed Weapon might as well paint it in camo