The Numbers
Our 58-centimeter test bike came with a 73-degree head tube angle, a 73-degree seat tube angle, a 58-centimeter top tube, and a 200-millimeter head tube. The RS comes in six sizes: 48 (XS), 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61 centimeters.
The Ride
There's a lot of hype about Cervélos, and coming right off a great Tour win with Carlos Sastre, we tried to breathe deeply and calm down before we took the bike out for its inaugural ride.
Our first impression was the bike did everything it was supposed to do well. The longer wheelbase and the longer head tube were noticeable right off the bat, and we had to make some fit adjustments to compensate for the bike's individual geometry. The RS soaked up road chatter better than any other bike we have ridden in a while.
If we had one complaint, it's that it was almost too monotone; it did everything really well, just nothing exceptional. That's not really a slight on a bike designed for the masses. Call it a backhanded compliment. Frankly, the bike looks great, it's fun to ride and not as expensive as some of its competitors' bikes. Maybe that's the reason you see so many around?
The Verdict
The bike is beautiful and has the CSC mojo on the road. We like the concept of the higher head tube/longer wheelbase bikes because, ultimately, these bikes are going to keep more people riding and racing for a longer time. The looks, the quality, the basic ride characteristics are excellent. The 2009 SRAM Force was a highlight, as were the Easton wheels.
If you are looking for an all-purpose bike that could still win races but also keep you up front in a century or Saturday group ride, the Cervélo RS deserves your serious consideration.
Price: Frame Only - $2,400
Weight: 1,050 grams (frame only)
Contact: www.Cervélo.com