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Bicycles Online > Mountain Bikes > Cannondale RZ One-Twenty Mountain Bike Review
Cannondale RZ One-Twenty Full Suspension
Mountain Bike Review
The Cannondale RZ One-Twenty is the most affordable full suspension mountain bike that Cannondale is offering this year (along with the more expensive Scalpel). This bike is great for those long XC rides and the Lefty fork helps you to handle the toughest trails with ease. 
Although the Cannondale bikes, including the Cannondale RZ One-Twenty models, can be more expensive than other popular quality brands, keep in mind that you are getting a full suspension mountain bike with a high quality Cannondale frame, the Lefty Fork and Hydraulic Disc Brakes as well as the other quality components that come with this bike.
You don't get as many different model levels with the Cannondale RX One-Twenty (just the RZ120-2 and the RZ120-3) but both of the models are very reasonable priced (between $1,600 and $2,100). Although Cannondale always spells out the model name then includes the model number (i.e. "RZ One-Twenty 3" )
but
I may refer to this model here using the numbers (RZ120-3 or even RZ123) to keep it short and simple.
Note: As of 5/15/2012 the 2012 Cannondale RZ One-Twenty 2 is on sale and selling for $2099 (new) at REI. See Cannondale RZ One-Twenty 2 for the latest price or to buy the RZ120-2 full suspension mountain bike.
The RZ One-Twenty 3 is selling for $1599. See Cannondale RZ One-Twenty 3 at REI for the latest availability or to buy the RZ123.
Cannondale RZ One-Twenty Model Comparisons:
The 2012 Cannondale RZ One-Twenty series has 2 price/frame/component levels. As with most Cannondale bikes the prices go down as the level numbers go up so the RZ120-3 is the most expensive and the RZ120-3 three is the least expensive bike.
The biggest difference between the two RZ One-Twenty models are that the RZ120-3 model has SRAM components while the RZ120-2 model has Shimano components. There is also a difference in the rims and the rear shock. Other than that the 2 models are almost exactly the same.
About-Bicycles Review:
The Cannondale RZ One-Twenty series bikes are an excellent all around XC mountain bike. Nice frame (of course, it's a Cannondale), good components, hydraulic disc brakes and the Lefty Fork is a great feature.
One consideration with the Lefty Fork is that it may be a little difficult to mount a traditional wheel magnet transmitter based bike computer on the fork. Of course, you will not need to worry about this if you use a GPS based cycle computer.
Just a little side note regarding the Lefty Fork. In addition to my obsession passion for cycling, I am also a basketball fan and I just learned that Lebron James is a pretty big (literally big) cyclist and that he owns and rides a Cannondale mountain bike with a Lefty fork (I believe that it is a Caffeine 29er).
If Cannondale Mountain Bikes (with their Lefty Forms) can handle Lebron, I think that they might be able to handle slightly smaller riders pretty easily. :-)
Getting back to the Cannondale RZ One-Twenty, I believe that this is a high quality all around XC mountain bike, with excellent features from a reputable manufacturer.
Customer Reviews:
I have seen one (but only one) negative customer review on this bike at the time of this review. The negative review mostly had to do with components of the bike breaking. All other customer reviews that I have seen were all either 4 of 5 or 5 of 5 ratings.
Most Relevant Customer Review Comments included...
Strengths: "The construction is super stiff, along with the Lefty gives you extra confidence that this thing can take nearly anything you find on the trails, in all it makes for an awesome XC ride. Lockout is a definite plus."
Weaknesses: " The Lefty, I know it may sound like lunacy but I've had some trouble mounting my computer sensor on the fork (yes even with the lefty computer mount that Cdale makes) makes for really awkward mounting of the sensor and the magnet...The seat isn't my cup of tea get a bit on your taint's nerves after a while, need to make the groove in the center deeper. The Noby Nick that come on it are a little sketchy when cornering on loose gravel but most riders should be able to manage." - From April, 2010, mtbr.com.
See Cannondale RZ Customer Reviews at REI for the latest customer reviews or to buy the cannondale RZ120 full suspension mountain bike.
Cannondale RZ One-Twenty 3 Features at a Glance:
- Frame: RZ One Twenty, 120mm, SmartFormed Alloy, BB30, 1.5 Si head tube
- Fork: RockShox Recon Silver TK, 120mm, Solo Air, lockout, rebound, 20mm thru axle, 1.5"
- Crank: SRAM S800 3.2, 44/33/22
- Bottom Bracket: Truvativ Powerspline
- Shifters: SRAM X5
- Cog Set: SRAM PG-1030, 11-36, 10-speed
- Chain: KMC X10, 10-speed
- Front Derailleur: SRAM X5, 34.9 high clamp
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X5
- Rims: Maddux DC 3.0, double wall, eyeleted, 28 hole front, 32 hole rear
- Hubs: Formula DC20 front, DC22 rear
- Tires: Schwalbe Rapid Rob, 2.25"
- Pedals: FPD alloy body
- Brake: Avid Elixir 1, 180/160mm
- Handlebar: Cannondale C3 riser, 680x20mm, 6061 alloy
- Stem: Cannondale C3, 1.5", 31.8
- Headset: Tange Seiki, 1.5", Integrated
- Spokes: DT Swiss Champion
- Grips: Cannondale alloy locking grips w/closed end
- Saddle: Cannondale Stage 2
- Seat Post: Cannondale C4, 31.6x400mm
- Rear Shock: X Fusion E1 RL
- Shifters: SRAM X5
See the REI links above for detailed specifications, more information or the latest customer reviews on the RX One-Twenty.
More helpful online bike sales resources:
See Best Buy Bikes Online - for the latest sales and deals on quality brand names bikes for sale online.
See Online Bike Stores - for a complete listing of where to purchase the most popular brands for all bike types online.
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