Look sizing/model question

[d_douglas]

I have developed a fascination with Look frames as of late and wonder if any of you can answer a question or two. (ha ha - rhetorical comment, of course!)

I think I need an XL size. I once rode a friends Look KG 481 (or something like that) and don't actually recall fit being an issue, but I hadn't refined my tastes for fit quite so much at the time. I have since had a frame custom made for me and now appreciate how pleasurable good fit is.

My question is:

Did Look make a 585 equivalent with a slightly sloping TT? Is the 595 a sloper? The ISP is not a problem for me, as my inseam length is pretty standard.

I hear so many good things about these frames that I am thinking (long-term) about keeping my eye out for an affordable frameset. I am envisioning a white frameset with my 10spd alloy Campy and Nemesis tubulars on it :) I have no idea why, but this brings a smile to my face.

Once I sort out whether I am a L or XL type of guy, or more accurately, what model of XL I should be looking for, I will keep my eyes open for deals.

Your advice is appreciated...

[kramnnim]

585 and 595 both have a slight slope...

Er, ok, just looked at a geo chart and the XL 585 doesn't seem to have any slope. Weird. Other sizes do, and all the 595's do.

[distanc3]

Yup both have very mild slope top tube but really not too noticeable compared to the horizontal top tube. With used frames the ISP of the 595 may make your fit cumbersome. My friend cut his ISP half an inch too short now he'll be running the spacers for the difference.

These frames can make ~15lbs without too much effort.

If you broader your range to the 555, 585, 595 and the newer 586 (both ISP and standard seatpsot), Im pretty sure you'll find the one you like.

Ebay have a few Look frames in black/white or white/red combo for $1300 which I think is overvalued.

:hello:

[kramnnim]

I have a 585, and then bought a 586. I like the 586 more, it's an underrated model.

[buldogge]

Hey d…I'm pretty sure we ride a similar size frame (from past threads)…I'm a solid 585 XL…TT is non-sloping BTW.

IDK what kind of setback you like…but…I run 75mm (Romin) and a 120mm/-10 stem which yields ~580mm tip to bars.

Saddle height is 78.5cm

FWIW.

-Mark in St. Louis

[d_douglas]

Hey d…I'm pretty sure we ride a similar size frame (from past threads)…I'm a solid 585 XL…TT is non-sloping BTW.

IDK what kind of setback you like…but…I run 75mm (Romin) and a 120mm/-10 stem which yields ~580mm tip to bars.

Saddle height is 78.5cm

FWIW.

-Mark in St. Louis



Hi Mark:

Yes, we are near twins. Nice frames, hey?

Does yours have an external headset?

Cheers

Darren

[kramnnim]

All the 5xx model Looks have internal/integrated headsets.

[Climb01742]

I have a 585, and then bought a 586. I like the 586 more, it's an underrated model.

Which year and model of 586 is yours (there seem to be a few different versions)? Does yours have the Epost? If yes, how do you like the Epost? Thx.;)

Given the love that surrounds the 585, I wonder if Look has contemplated a reissue like Eddy did with the MXL?

[gearguywb]

Had a 585 several years back and loved it. Never should have sold it.

Maybe I *need* a 595 for giggles :)

[buldogge]

Love the 585…

As kramnnim said, internal/integrated.

The XL 585 HT with the conical Look top cap/spacer in place is 190mm from fork crown to top of cap/spacer.

-Mark

Hi Mark:

Yes, we are near twins. Nice frames, hey?

Does yours have an external headset?

Cheers

Darren

[tuscanyswe]

When i looked at these i concluded i would be an xxl so that makes you an xl. C how easy that was ? :)

[d_douglas]

Love the 585…

As kramnnim said, internal/integrated.

The XL 585 HT with the conical Look top cap/spacer in place is 190mm from fork crown to top of cap/spacer.

-Mark

Ahhhh, so the measurement of 175mm factors in 15mm of HS stack? My custom frame has a 175mm HT plus a King HS, so that would equate to about the same thing, I think...?

[tuscanyswe]

Ahhhh, so the measurement of 175mm factors in 15mm of HS stack? My custom frame has a 175mm HT plus a King HS, so that would equate to about the same thing, I think...?

Chris king has a stack height of 31.5 mm if i remember correctly. so your total headtube + headset stack is = 20.65 cm and you may or may not have added spacers on top of that.

The look frame will give you 175mm headtube + length of upper headset "cone" and according to buldogge that is 15mm = 19.0 cms.

So you get to ad another 1.5 cm (or 1.65 if you can find it i guess) worth of spacers to get the same fit (in regards to stack) provided your custom frame has the same bb drop of 7cms.

[saab2000]

I had a couple of 585s. The XL has no slope. I am 6' tall and I considered the bike just a hair big. But the L was a hair small. Nothing in between. When I had a 381 I had a 56 and it was very close to perfect.

The head tube on the 585 is a bit high but I found an FSA top cap that reduced the height by about 8 mm, which combined with a -17º stem made it work OK.

Ride quality is very nice. The standard 585 is pretty stiff and the Ultra is stiffer. I had both. There is a difference.

I sold them and immediately regretted selling my 585 Ultra but recently passed on one on eBay. I'm moving forward rather than looking backwards. My next carbon will be something more 'modern'. That said, the 585 is an excellent bike and if they still made it, but maybe updated it, and made it in 1 CM increments I'd be all over it. If I could get the same as my old 381 but with the modern tubes of the 585 I'd have one still.

[Climb01742]

I'm moving forward rather than looking backwards. My next carbon will be something more 'modern'.

That's the rub, isn't it? Some older carbon frames, like the 585, nailed a great balance of ride quality and responsiveness. Too many modern carbons only seem to chase low weight and stiffness. So it's a vexation, look back toward a Look or forward toward a c59 or a Parlee, two carbons that seem to nail ride and performance?

[saab2000]

That's the rub, isn't it? Some older carbon frames, like the 585, nailed a great balance of ride quality and responsiveness. Too many modern carbons only seem to chase low weight and stiffness. So it's a vexation, look back toward a Look or forward toward a c59 or a Parlee, two carbons that seem to nail ride and performance?

I'd likely be happy forever with a 585 if they fit me properly. But I never felt 100% comfortable on the XL or the L. Something in between. I was always making minor adjustments with reach and stem height and I just never got it totally dialed in.

The 585 is, without doubt, a superb bike and I wish Look still made them, but in the same sizing and geo as their classic 381/481 series, which preceded the 585.

I've got my eyes on a Giant TCR Advanced or Advanced SL. I can get nearly identical contact points to my Zanconato, which itself was a contact point copy of my Look 381.

All that said, I've thought about another XL 585 and trying some different tricks with the bars, which maybe would have made it work.

[kramnnim]

Which year and model of 586 is yours (there seem to be a few different versions)? Does yours have the Epost? If yes, how do you like the Epost? Thx.;)

Given the love that surrounds the 585, I wonder if Look has contemplated a reissue like Eddy did with the MXL?

Hmm, I think there are three versions of the 586...mine is the older one, with Epost. There's an SL version that has a carbon FD hanger, and an RSP that uses a more traditional seatpost. Never could figure out the "K light" version was any lighter, or just had special paint.

I like the Epost well enough, it looks better than a lot of ISP/topper combinations. The elastomers seem to work at helping with bumps, etc. I swapped out the steel bolt for a ti one, saved a whole 5 grams (yay). (the bolt that clamps the saddle rails is already ti)

[buldogge]

Bjorn got it right…I run it with a 10mm spacer and a -10 stem. (so 20cm crown to bottom of stem).

-Mark

Chris king has a stack height of 31.5 mm if i remember correctly. so your total headtube + headset stack is = 20.65 cm and you may or may not have added spacers on top of that.

The look frame will give you 175mm headtube + length of upper headset "cone" and according to buldogge that is 15mm = 19.0 cms.

So you get to ad another 1.5 cm (or 1.65 if you can find it i guess) worth of spacers to get the same fit (in regards to stack) provided your custom frame has the same bb drop of 7cms.

[d_douglas]

Bjorn got it right…I run it with a 10mm spacer and a -10 stem. (so 20cm crown to bottom of stem).

-Mark


Thanks Bjorn and Mark - yes, I am an XL - I think the co act points are a fine detail. My Legend was like that - I knew it was the correct frame size, so whether it took a 110 or 120mm stem and 10 or 15mm of spacers wasn't so relevant.

I think the 595 looks sexy. What are the diffs btw the 586 and the 595? Are they both made in France?

[kramnnim]

I think they were both made in a Look owned and operated facility in Tunisia.

[d_douglas]

Thanks for this info - right, the Tunisian facility.

I think the 586 has a taller HT and slightly more relaxed? I think i'd seek out a 595 because lower is FUNNER! (as long as my back can handle it).

I saw a Look 695 recently and the proprietary stem and crank are quite repulsive to my eyes :(

[kramnnim]

Oops, missed your other question...

586 is monocoque, 595 is lugged. 586 is lighter, 595 is stiffer... Cofidis rode the 586 at Paris Roubaix in 2012 instead of the 695.

Yeah, 695 is ugly. Can't get myself to like 'em enough to buy one...

586 and 595 geometry looks pretty close, but I'm only comparing my size...HT lengths are withing a few mm...

[Clydesdale]

Look makes awesome stuff. I have a 595 ultra in xxl if anyone is looking.

[RedRider]

We are lucky on this topic because Look is a sponsor of this Forum! The OP should contact him for accurate info. Look Cycles USA

[stephenmarklay]

Funny as I have been looking thinking about one too. I guess there will be some future demand for XL looks :)