First look: 2010 Cannondale RZ One Forty Carbon 2

High-tech all-mountain travel ride

Published: October 30, 2009 at 10:49 am

The US$5,299 RZ One Forty Carbon 2 all-mountain bike is one step below the flagship $6,199 Carbon 1 model, and like its big brother, features plenty of Cannondale's System Integration highlights.

These include a BB30 oversized bottom bracket, carbon Lefty mono-leg suspension fork with Fox Racing Shox internals, and proprietary Headshock stem and headset.

In fact, proprietary seems to sum up most of Cannondale's 2010 upper-tier bikes, as we experienced first-hand at the media launch in Utah.

Our Large sample, weighing 26.14lb (11.86kg) with pedals, uses a one-piece, 3D forged 'backbone' – which includes the bottom bracket shell, lower pivot and double-butted seat tube – which Cannondale say is stiffer and stronger than three separate pieces.

According to Cannondale, the composite seatstays remove some weight compared to alloy, while stiffening the rear triangle for better trail control. An asymmetric aluminium swingarm – welded together with forgings, formed chainstays and an oversized bridge – resists lateral pedaling forces for more efficiency.

We're looking forward to putting the Lefty Max Carbon PBR fork through its paces on our test track at Saratoga Gap this weekend. The ability to adjust rebound and lock-out suspension with a simple (and accessible) push button is very appealing. A day spent on a 5.5in-travel full-suspension bike in the Santa Cruz Mountains is our kind of fun.

Note, the UK price for the RZ140 Carbon 2 is £4,999 - considerably more than the US dollar equivalent - but it does feature a different spec. The main changes from the US spec are Mavic CrossMax ST wheels and a mostly Shimano drivetrain.

2010 Cannondale RZ140 Carbon 2 (US specs)

  • Lefty Max Carbon PBR fork with Fox Racing Shox customised internals and 140mm travel
  • Fox Float RP23 shock
  • Cannondale Si Headshok stem and headset
  • Mavic X-Trail tubeless wheels with 26 x 2.25in Schwalbe Nobby Nic folding UST (tubeless) tyres
  • SRAM X-9 shifters with X-0 rear derailleur/X-7 front
  • FSA Afterburner 44/32/22 cranks with carbon spider
  • KMC X9 nine-speed chain
  • SRAM PG-970 11-34-tooth cassette
  • FSA XC-190 680mm wide/20mm high riser bars with Cannondale Morse alloy locking grips
  • FSA XC-190 31.6mm diameter seatpost
  • Fizik Gobi XM saddle
  • Avid Elixir CR brakes with carbon levers and 180mm rotors
  • CrankBrothers Candy pedals
  • Colour: Race Red
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Price: US$5,299

2010 Cannondale RZ140 Carbon 2 (European specs)

  • Lefty Max Carbon PBR fork with Fox Racing Shox customised internals and 140mm travel
  • Fox Float RP23 shock
  • Cannondale Si Headshok stem and headset
  • Mavic CrossMax ST wheels with 26 x 2.25in Schwalbe Nobby Nic folding UST (tubeless) tyres
  • Shimano XTR shifters and derailleurs
  • Cannondale SI Carbon BB30 44/32/22t cranks
  • Shimano HG73 nine speed chain
  • Shimano XT M770 11-32 tooth nine-speed cassette
  • FSA SL-K riser bars with Cannondale White Mamba lock-on grips
  • FSA FSA SL-K 31.6mm w/ zero offset seatpost
  • Fizik Gobi XM saddle
  • Avid Elixir CR brakes with carbon levers and 180mm rotors
  • Pedals not supplied
  • Colour: Lightning White, Race Red
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Price: UK£4999

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