Look has introduced a race-focused evolution of its G85 Cezal gravel platform, and the headline changes come down to two things: less weight and more rigidity. The French brand has kept the lively handling traits that defined the original, including its quick steering and compact 425mm chainstays, while reworking the frame to deliver a sharper, more competitive ride.
At the heart of the update is a new High Modulus carbon layup that trims roughly 200g from the frame. The outgoing model was claimed at 1,200g, so the RS represents a meaningful diet. Look also reports that the revised construction lifts bottom bracket stiffness by 19% and head tube stiffness by 20%, numbers that should translate into more efficient power transfer and more confident steering under load.
Stiffness isn’t the whole story, however. The rear triangle features new 3D wave-flex seatstays that Look says absorb 15% more vibration than before, all without giving up lateral rigidity at the back. It’s a balance aimed at keeping the rider fresh on long, chattery gravel without turning the bike into something vague or flexy.
Clearance is generous. The G85 Cezal RS accepts tyres up to 57mm at the front and 50mm at the rear. Fit a 2x drivetrain, though, and that rear figure drops to 45mm. Elsewhere, the bike follows current gravel conventions with a T47 threaded bottom bracket and a UDH rear dropout. A standard round 27.2mm seatpost also means riders can swap in a gravel dropper without fuss.
Aerodynamics, durability and comfort
The redesigned front end earns the RS a Zedler score of 94. For those unfamiliar, the Zedler test is a standardized lab measurement created by Germany’s Zedler Institut to quantify torsional steering head stiffness in bicycle frames. To put that figure in perspective, Look’s own pro-tour-proven 795 Blade RS 3 road bike scored 90. According to Look, the stiffer head tube gives the G85 RS an advantage when the terrain turns rough and technical. The brand also describes the new construction as its toughest yet, and it’s covered by a lifetime warranty.
While the G85 Cezal RS isn’t a dedicated aero gravel racer in the same vein as the Argon 18 Anti Matter or Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0, Look has still shaped the tubes, front-end integration and cockpit with aerodynamics in mind. The company’s stated priority, though, is comfort, control and rider position as a route to faster times in real-world gravel conditions.
Up front, the bike uses Look’s Aero Carbon RS3 cockpit, offered in seven stem lengths and three handlebar widths, with 50mm of stack adjustment available.
Romain Simon, product manager at Look, framed the design philosophy plainly: “With the G85 Cezal RS, we didn’t want to force riders to choose between weight and capability, so we built one platform that covers virtually every scenario. Our road team knows aerodynamics inside out, which is exactly why we chose not to trade off rider control for marginal aerodynamic gains.”
Pricing and build options
The G85 Cezal RS can be purchased as a frameset or as one of two complete builds, both organized around SRAM’s Force and Red XPLR AXS groupsets.
G85 Cezal RS frameset
- Ships with frame, Token T47 bottom bracket, 160mm flat mount hardware and Look LS1 27.2mm carbon seatpost
- Raw Carbon / Chrome Orange finish
- €3,290
G85 Cezal RS SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x
- Weight: 8.3kg
- 40T chainring
- Deda Superzero carbon bar and Superbox stem with full integration
- Fulcrum Sharq C25 42mm wheels
- Hutchinson Touareg Race 700x45c tyres
- Hypershift Blue finish
- €6,990
G85 Cezal RS SRAM Red XPLR AXS 1x
- Weight: 7.9kg
- 44T aero chainring
- Look Aero Carbon stem and Aero Carbon RS 3 handlebar
- Fulcrum Sharq C25 42mm wheels
- Hutchinson Touareg Race 700x45c tyres
