Like the frame, the fork is now manufactured in the Cervélo test laboratory in California and saves around 30 grams compared to the old purchased fork. As a frame set, standardised to size 57, the RCA weighs a spectacular 1,045 grams. However, it is not just the weight that characterises the frame, but rather the perfect balance of lightweight construction, riding stability and comfort. Although 670 grams light, the frame is so stiff in the steering head and bottom bracket that not even sprinters will have anything to complain about. At the same time, Cervélo has succeeded in combining extreme lightweight construction with real aerodynamic performance. The flattened profiles at the rear ends of the down tube and seat tube make the frame significantly faster compared to round tube frames, as the wind tunnel test of the formally identical R5 frame in TOUR 2/2014 showed. Cervélo did not use any tuning measures in the build and instead opted for mass-produced parts, which are perfectly suited to the riding impression. Functionally, the Red groupset from SRAM and the light, stiff carbon wheels from Mavic leave nothing to be desired. The bike follows the rider's commands in every riding situation and the comfort on the saddle is excellent thanks to the well-sprung seat post. The RCA is only sold as a frame set for a hefty 7,900 euros. The price of the complete bike is estimated.
CONCLUSION The perfect road bike frame? The expensive RCA can do it all. It is ultra-light, very
stable, comfortable and even a little aerodynamic
Price 13,000 euros
Weight 6.0 kilos
Available in specialised shops | construction kit
Reference/Info www.cervelo.com
Frame/fork/steering bearing weight 670/297/54 grammes
Frame sizes 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle 73°/73,5°
Seat/top tube/head tube 550/565/174 mm plus 8 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 980/54 mm
Stack/Reach/STR 582/386 mm/1.51
Equipment
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1.5 inch
Brakes/gears SRAM Red 22
Bottom bracket Rotor 3D+ (52/36 t., BB-Right)
Wheels/tyres Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate/Continental Competition 22C (tubular tyre)
Handlebar/stem FSA K-Force/FSA OS99
Saddle/post Fizik Arione 00/FSA K-Force (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 up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
** Weighed weights.
*** Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
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