June 30th, 2009 by 
Gregg
The ever popular Rize is now called the RZ. New for 2010 is the RZ 120 (120mm of rear travel) and the RZ 140. Why the name change? It was actually due to a trademark issue that involved another company outside of the bike biz (note: the change came very recently so you will hear and see these bikes referred to as the Rize in the videos and these photos). The name may be changed, but everything you loved about the Rize is back and even better.
Ride Impression:
I personally tested at length, a Rize 1 last year ( http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/cannondale-rize-pro-review/ ) and I got to test the RZ 120 at River Run in Sun Valley, ID. The RZ 120 rides as if it were 140. I didn’t get a chance to ride the RZ 140, but I’m sure it also rides as if it has more travel.
The rear suspension is now better matched to the plushness and stiffness of the Lefty Carbon Max (one of the lightest and best tracking forks ever). The rear stays efficient on the climbs and still plush on the descents, even under braking.
In these two videos, Double D (aka Doug Dalton, Cannondale R&D) shows us the highlights of the RZ 120 and RZ 140:
Info about the 2010 Cannondale bikes coming soon.
website: www.cannondale.com
June 26th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
the graphics on the rz120 are horrid. don’t tell me this is how dorel is influencing design :/ the 90’s called they want their decals back
June 29th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Looks a bit like commencal/sunn design decals to me
June 29th, 2009 at 5:20 am
I agree the colors are horrible.
Current rize 1 is just so beautiful.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:29 am
I spent the last 3 days on these bikes. They are amazing. They look very good in person. The RZ120 is killer. If they make that in 29″ they would really be onto something.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
And I’m so glad I did!
I agree with the comments on the colors. The 2009 Rize 1 is gorgeous, and Pete, you really got a good laugh out of me with the 90’s comment.
Despite the color, the bike rocks!
June 30th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
me like the updated piccies with the chickies
June 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Kind of sucks you get the hot blond in the first picture than have to look at and listen to the scraggly headed blond in the video… DD you screwed us. lol
July 1st, 2009 at 6:33 am
Judging by the top photo, they should have kept it “Rize”! : )
July 1st, 2009 at 9:20 am
Ummm… what bike. Just noticed 2 gorgeous girls.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:00 am
gosh …. in german this is a rude word …. RI(T)ZE
July 1st, 2009 at 11:28 am
is that the chick from scrubs ?
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:45 pm
more pix of the chix!!!!!!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 am
Hmmmm. me really liking the babes! Maybe not so much the bike
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
she’s got a firm grip on that saddle
July 7th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
sti cazzi che fighe!!
July 9th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
yes graphics are horrid, not only do they look bad (person that said “hello 90s” is right). but why a huge, high profile bike manufacturer like Cannondale would want to make the name on the bike practically unreadable except to someone standing almost directly in front of the thing is beyond me. those graphics (the name part) are going to wear out very fast being right in the line of mud, rocks, and dirt. no one should have to worry about using fenders just to preserve the original graphics, well the name anyway. the rest can take a long walk off a short pier.
bottom line, their models are nice, and the latest bikes are OK too.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I have the 2009 Rize 3. Amazing bike.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Trail riders crack me up! Its all about the image, who has what component, what year, colour bike! Lets face it next year will see a new colour and this years will be dated so who cares? Out on the trail is where its at! The buzz of the ride NOT the B/$h!t of the carpark and forum. I like the RZ its a great looking frame and probably rides much better than my 2005 Prophet!
(P.S no offence with the Trail rider comments, I ride Trail and DH/FR it’s just something I have come to observe while amongst trail riders)
July 19th, 2009 at 7:44 am
The blond is hot!!!
July 24th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
After all these years, I still can’t get used to that fork design.
July 25th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Do the girls come with the bike?
July 26th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Jdog, it sounds like you need to look at the GF Superfly 100.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:28 am
if you guy’s complained anymore you would turn into those chicks in the picture.
the bikes are awesome ! i’m a cannondale dealer. and i ordered one already.
the bikes are great and your all a buntch of Wankers
August 4th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Gee! I never liked the look of the Rize, but that thing is AWESOME!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Seriously brianguy? If you know anything about mountain bikes at all, you would know from a mile away what brand a bike is if it has a lefty on it. That is the lamest thing I have ever heard. The only people that hate on Cannnondale are the ones who have never been on one. Its all about the ride. Cannondale has never been about flash or style, its about what preforms better.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
My gosh the Rize 120’s graphics are hideous. If ever there was an influencing factor to give the diamondback mission consideration, this is it. I think Specialized also looses points on this account. Just give us matte black, white or other and forget the cheesy Hawaiian graphics.