France’s Look has added a G85 CezalRS race bike to its existing G85 Cezal gravel range, saying the new model offers aerodynamic performance “where it pays, in the rider position and cockpit”, while prioritising handling, control, and power transfer.
The G85 CezalRS is said to be built around a 1,000g frame (size medium), 200g lighter than the standard G85 Cezal, with bottom bracket and head tube stiffness that is said to be increased by approximately 20%.
We’ve got used to new gravel race bikes launching with a whole load of aero claims to back them up, but Look hasn’t done that, saying it has “prioritised real-world control over deep tube shapes with its aerodynamic design”.
How come?
“In a 146km [91 miles] race simulation, pure aero frames saved 137 seconds on paper,” Look says. “However, harsh rides can cost riders 63–84 seconds on technical descents and 60–100 seconds from pedalling interruptions over bumps. The result: proof that comfort, control, and rider position yield faster times in real gravel conditions.”
Okay, we can argue about the relative importance of each of those factors from here to eternity, but that’s the approach that Look has taken here.
As an aside, Specialized spoke a lot about what it calls its “Time to Finish” calculation in its launch of the new Crux 5 – a physics-based simulation that predicts total elapsed race time over a specific real-world course, using measured inputs from aerodynamics, weight, rolling resistance, surface roughness, environmental conditions, and rider power. Aerodynamics and weight are important variables to include in that calculation, of course, but Specialized wanted more data because surface roughness directly impacts rolling resistance, energy loss, fatigue accumulation and real-world speed, so it developed race-day telemetry packs small enough to run under the saddle, which feeds into its Time to Finish simulations.
> Specialized says new Crux 5 is “the fastest gravel race bike ever made”
Back to the matter in hand, though… Look says, “Built around three core pillars, versatile performance, responsive handling, and balanced component selection, [the G85 CezalRS] prioritises racing needs to deliver a competition-ready setup for 99% of race scenarios.”
The G85 CezalRS retains the geometry of the rest of the platform, including 425mm chainstays. That means that the medium-sized version comes with a 590mm stack and a 380mm reach, giving a stack/reach of 1.55.
Look says, “Combining a short wheelbase, a smart position of the bottom bracket and a geometry tuned for a blend of performance and control, the G85 CezalRS delivers precise cornering and supreme stability. These are essential features to address race-winning situations: fast and technical downhills, singletrack and fast gravel roads.”
New carbon layup
Although the G85 CezalRS shares a geometry with the other models in the range, the frame is actually very different, coming in a high-modulus carbon layup that saves 200g compared to the standard G85 Cezal. Look says that it comes in at 1,000g in a fully painted size medium.
“This boosted layup increases bottom bracket stiffness by 19% and head tube stiffness by 20% over the base model, powering sprints, climbs, and accelerations without compromising compliance,” says Look. “At the rear, the 3D Wave Flex System seatstays filter 15% of vibrations without compromising lateral power transfer, keeping wheels in contact with the terrain. This prevents power loss from pedalling interruptions and the necessity to impact rolling efficiency when switching to bigger tyres.”
The 3D Wave Flex System refers to Look’s seatstay design that is intended to flex upward and increase vertical compliance. The idea is to reduce vibration and improve comfort and rear-wheel contact/traction over uneven surfaces.
You get space to fit a 57mm front tyre and a 50mm rear tyre with a 1x setup, or 45mm with a 2x drivetrain. Look says that it is preferred to opt for short chainstays and a snappy ride, rather than maximum tyre clearance. It also says that the frame geometry is suitable for suspension forks up to 60mm.
The G85 CezalRS features a T47 (threaded) bottom bracket, UDH dropout, 12mm thru-axles, 160mm flat-mount disc brakes, and a 27.2mm carbon seatpost. It’ll take a maximum 50T chainring.
> What is UDH and is it the future of all bikes? SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger explained
Models and prices
G85 CezalRS Frameset, €3,290
Includes Token T47 bottom bracket, 160mm flat mount hardware and Look LS1 27.2 mm carbon seatpost
G85 CezalRS SRAM Force XPLR 1x, €6,990
Groupset SRAM Force XPLR, 1x, 40T
Handlebar Deda Superzero Carbon
Stem Deda Superbox
Wheels Fulcrum Sharq C25 42 mm
Tyres Hutchinson Touareg Race 700x45mm
Weight 8.3 kg
G85 CezalRS SRAM Red XPLR 1x, €8,990
Groupset SRAM Red XPLR, 1x, 42T
Handlebar Look Aero Carbon RS 3
Stem Look Aero Carbon
Wheels Fulcrum Sharq C25 42mm
Tyres Hutchinson Touareg Race 700x45mm
Weight 7.9kg
We’ve requested UK prices.
