Like its predecessor, the R5Ca, the lightweight wonder is built in Cervélo's research laboratory in California. The Canadian brand incorporates the experience gained from design and production into the manufacture of the series models built in Asia. Formally, the RCA differs from the R5Ca in its completely different tube shapes. The down tube and seat tube have Kammtails, which should provide a few watts in the fight against the wind. A crank with an extra-long shaft rotates in the extra-wide bottom bracket shell with Cervélo's BBRight dimension. As spectacular as the laboratory values are, the bike rides calmly - in a positive sense. The riding position is comfortable, the bike masters fast descents just as confidently as abrupt changes of direction.
CONCLUSION The RCA shows what is possible in lightweight construction. Technically breathtaking, visually beguiling, priced beyond good and evil
Price 16,500 euros
Weight 5.2 kilos
Available in specialised shops / construction kit
Reference/Info www.cervelo.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 704/323/55 grammes
Frame sizes*** 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle 73°/73,5°
Seat/top tube/head tube 550/560/172 mm plus 9 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 985/54 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 576/387 mm/1.49
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Brakes/gears SRAM Red 22
Bottom bracket Rotor 3D+ (52/36 t., BBRight)
Wheels/tyres Lightweight Meilenstein Obermayer/Continental Competition (tubular tyres)
Handlebar/stem AX Lightness/AX Lightness Rigid
Saddle/post AX Lightness Leaf/AX Lightness (27.2 mm)
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
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