Look 585: it's all your fault

[axel23]

First, my thanks to the forum members who responded to my RFI. I wouldn't have committed to the purchase without you.

So now I have a 2008 Look 585. It's mostly DA 7900, Eurus wheels, FSA K-wing bars, Speedplay pedals. Comes in at 16lbs even, with cages and pedals.

First real ride tomorrow, but test ride was better than I thought possible with carbon.

If you're interested in details, or about tomorrow's impressions, let me know.

[Climb01742]

yes, please, share your ride impressions. we need to know how the story ends! ;)

[flydhest]

Welcome to the fold. It is a great bike . . . even if you have Shimano on it :)

[ultraman6970]

1st carbon bike, right?

[sjbraun]

You're gonna ave fun!!!

[happycampyer]

I've said repeatedly that used 585's are one of the best deals going. They typically sell used in the $700 - 800 range, often with a Look Ergopost included (that's basically the price of the fork and the seatpost when new). And the ride of the 585 is hard to beat.

[PaMtbRider]

Very nice, I think you are going to love it. I should never have sold mine.

[texbike]

First, my thanks to the forum members who responded to my RFI. I wouldn't have committed to the purchase without you.

So now I have a 2008 Look 585. It's mostly DA 7900, Eurus wheels, FSA K-wing bars, Speedplay pedals. Comes in at 16lbs even, with cages and pedals.

First real ride tomorrow, but test ride was better than I thought possible with carbon.

If you're interested in details, or about tomorrow's impressions, let me know.


Congrats on the bike J! It looked like a screaming deal. I had a 595 for a bit and it was a wonderful riding bike.

Just out of curiosity, were you out on the bike today off of Scenic?

Cheers,

Texbike

[axel23]

So in answer to some questions: yes, it's my first carbon bike. I took a couple of rides on my wife's Trek (Team Discovery, Levi's actual bike and signed by him on the top tube - very cool). The Look has a completely different feel.
And yes, Tex, I was out today. Could have been me off Balcones, but I didn't take the Scenic loop.

My regular bike (for a decade now!) is a Dean El Diente ti w/ DA 7800. Never thought there'd be a more compliant ride (you know, the old stiffness vs. comfort debate). First impressions suggest that the Look may be that bike.

[edl]

Very nice indeed. I know you'll enjoy it, I love my 585.

[texbike]

And yes, Tex, I was out today. Could have been me off Balcones, but I didn't take the Scenic loop.


OK, must not have been you. There was a couple (both on Looks) hitting the top of Scenic as I made the turn to go down. I thought it may have been you and the wife on new bikes. :)

Have fun!

Texbike

[jghall]

Great pickup. Not sure there is a better "all-arounder".

[tv_vt]

Keep us posted on your ride impressions! Looking at your new bike, the handlebars sure look like they have a lot of drop to them. I wonder if you would like a shorter/shallower drop bar on that bike? I definitely prefer them these days.

T

[Joachim]

I would love to find a 585 in my size 55/56. I have a real soft spot for lugged carbon. Interested in your first ride impressions.

[axel23]

Ok, so disclaimers first. It was only a 40 mile ride, no major climbs. And when you ride a new bike, you need to be cautious generalizing about the frame. What's different from your former ride? Saddle, seat post, bars, stem, pedals, all come into play. If you are too stretched out, the saddle is angled high, whatever - all affect your perception.

I was fortunate to have some things constant: wheels, saddle, pedals all familiar, as were the Veloflex tires (my favorite). Reach is almost identical to my Dean (110mm stem and 42cm bars).

What was different was the FSA K-wing carbon bars. Yes, they have a deeper drop, and the hoods are set lower. Neither of these things bothered me, probably because the stem is still set high. The shock dampening is exceptional and the flat tops are a pleasure to ride. What I didn't like was the shortness of the drops. I'm used to short Cinelli, but this took off another centimeter or so. If you spend time on the drops, you'll notice this and wish you had more bar to hold onto. The bars came with the bike, and I'd been wanting to try them, so this was a great opportunity. But would I recommend them? Well, ergonomics are good , but the cost is high and for crits or similar aggressive riding I'd prefer regular bars. The carbon is a plus over my aluminum, but they are also heavier.

Now to the frame. I thought I would always be loyal to ti. Loved steel (still have a Tommasini), hated aluminum (too jarring). Ti seemed like it met all the criteria.

So what about the Look. In a word: amazing. Incredible rear triangle stiffness. Power transfer is immediate. Where aluminum is unforgiving, and steel is heavy, the Look carbon was compliant and seemed to soak up harsh stretches of road.

So do I prefer it over ti? Too early to say. Right now I'm just looking forward to more rides. I can say this: it put a smile back on my face.

[nilbog]

Awesome. Thanks for that. I've been thinking about one of these for a while and more and more people are convincing me.

[saab2000]

Dang.... Now I need to check around for a Large. My XL is a shade too big I think.

[axel23]

Mine is a medium. Top tube length is perfect at 54.5.

[sjbraun]

"Dang.... Now I need to check around for a Large. My XL is a shade too big I think."

My XL has a 57.5cm TT.

[tv_vt]

There is a great XL on ebay right now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Look-585-Origin-Frameset-XL-w-Fork-FSA-Headset-and-Ergo-4-Seat-Post-/110832569204?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item19ce22cb74

2 hours left, bidding at $330!

[saab2000]

"Dang.... Now I need to check around for a Large. My XL is a shade too big I think."

My XL has a 57.5cm TT.

Mine too, but with the seat setback I need it get's a bit more stretched out than I like. I'd like to try the Large just to see how it is. The XL seems to be about 1 CM too big in many directions, especially when I put the saddle where it needs to be.

[edl]

There is a great XL on ebay right now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Look-585-Origin-Frameset-XL-w-Fork-FSA-Headset-and-Ergo-4-Seat-Post-/110832569204?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item19ce22cb74

2 hours left, bidding at $330!

Wow, ended at $542. Someone stole it!

[buldogge]

Yep...I was trying to bid on this, but was one my phone and ran into bad/slow connection and couldn't make it happen! :(

-Mark in St. Louis

Wow, ended at $542. Someone stole it!