The Look G85 Cezal RS Frameset is the race-focused version of Look's G85 Cezal gravel frame. Look has been building carbon bikes in France since the early 1980s, and the RS applies that experience to gravel with a lighter, stiffer carbon lay-up. It is for riders who want to build their own gravel race bike, or move parts over from a bike they already own.
What changes from the standard G85 Cezal
The RS uses a UD high modulus carbon racing lay-up. According to press coverage of the launch, the mold and geometry are shared with the standard G85 Cezal, but the different lay-up takes roughly 200 grams out of the frame and adds stiffness at the bottom bracket and head tube. Reported claimed weight for a size medium is about 1,000 grams. In practice, a stiffer bottom bracket and head tube should mean a frame that responds quickly when you stand to accelerate, or when you steer the front wheel through loose, rutted corners.
The revised wave seatstays are designed to reduce vibration at the rear of the bike, which becomes more noticeable the longer the day on rough surfaces. The RS also drops the internal storage found on the standard G85 Cezal, a trade-off that goes with the weight savings and the racing intent.
Geometry built for speed and stability
The frameset comes in five sizes, XS through XL. Chainstays are a short 425mm on every size, which keeps the rear end tight and makes the bike easy to change direction on technical terrain. Head tube angles run from 69.5 degrees on the XS and S, to 70 degrees on the M and L, to 70.5 degrees on the XL, a slack-leaning setup that adds stability at speed on loose descents. Seat tube angle is 74 degrees across the range.
The size M has a 380mm reach and a 590mm stack, which puts the rider in a position that is racy without being extreme. Stack climbs from 547mm on the XS to 638mm on the XL, so there is a fit across a wide range of riders. BB drop varies from 76mm on the XS and S, to 73.5mm on the M and L, to 71mm on the XL.
Tire clearance and compatibility
Look lists maximum tire widths of 57mm at the front and 50mm at the rear with a 1x drivetrain, dropping to 45mm at the rear with a 2x. That range lets you build the bike for fast hardpack courses with narrower tires, or for rougher terrain with larger volume. The frame uses a T47 threaded bottom bracket, flat mount disc brakes and an integrated headset, and a braze-on front derailleur mount is available for 2x builds. Press coverage also notes the geometry is corrected for suspension forks with up to 60mm of travel, a useful option if you want more front-end control on rough courses.
What's included
The frameset includes a UD carbon fork and a Look LS1 UD carbon seatpost. The group, wheels, cockpit and saddle are up to you, so you can choose a drivetrain, wheels and contact points to suit the events you ride. The finish is Chrome Orange over Black Carbon.
The G85 Cezal RS Frameset suits the rider building a dedicated gravel race bike around a light, stiff carbon frame with room for wide tires. If you would rather buy a complete bike, Look offers the RS in builds as well, but the frameset is the place to start for a custom build.