Look 585

[jpang922]

There is an XXL 585 Ultra on Pinkbike. According to the seller “ The right side cable guide at the head tube is broken, but this is very common and has no impact on clean cable routing.” Any idea how big of a deal this is?

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2889077/

[johnnylarue]

Originally Posted by jpang922

There is an XXL 585 Ultra on Pinkbike. According to the seller “ The right side cable guide at the head tube is broken, but this is very common and has no impact on clean cable routing.” Any idea how big of a deal this is?

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2889077/

I’m new to these frames, but from what I gather the seller is right that this issue isn’t a one-off. Those little guides are pretty vulnerable (especially when the frame is bare with the fork removed.)

I don’t think it’s a huge problem—I imagine their main purpose is to prevent cable rub on the head tube (which can be achieved using a bit of tape). You could also possibly contact Look for a replacement part to epoxy back onto the frame.

Not a deal-breaker, in any case.

[jpang922]

Originally Posted by johnnylarue

I’m new to these frames, but from what I gather the seller is right that this issue isn’t a one-off. Those little guides are pretty vulnerable (especially when the frame is bare with the fork removed.)

I don’t think it’s a huge problem—I imagine their main purpose is to prevent cable rub on the head tube (which can be achieved using a bit of tape). You could also possibly contact Look for a replacement part to epoxy back onto the frame.

Not a deal-breaker, in any case.

Thanks. Just did a bit more research and seems indeed it’s not super critical. Here’s a picture I found of the part in question:

[paredown]

Originally Posted by jpang922

Thanks. Just did a bit more research and seems indeed it’s not super critical. Here’s a picture I found of the part in question:

Not critical, as you say. I picked up a few on UK Amazon (not sure if they are still available)--but I sold my spares on eBay--where I have also seen them but don't see any at present.

They are just lightweight plastic with a single screw, IIRC. Jagwire makes a nice peel and stick, but it is curved the wrong way on the backer for that head tube location. (How hard would it have been to make the center bit swivel???).

[jpang922]

Originally Posted by paredown

Not critical, as you say. I picked up a few on UK Amazon (not sure if they are still available)--but I sold my spares on eBay--where I have also seen them but don't see any at present.

They are just lightweight plastic with a single screw, IIRC. Jagwire makes a nice peel and stick, but it is curved the wrong way on the backer for that head tube location. (How hard would it have been to make the center bit swivel???).

Thanks. Could also just remove both guides and put stickers in place I guess?

[saab2000]

Not critical. Can be fixed or not. A piece of tape will suffice. As mentioned. There are more important pieces to the 585, like a complete headset with a proper top bearing cover. The original FSA is the right one in my experience. I have searched for and found shorter top cap but most people are happy with the standard 15mm covers.

[stev0]

Originally Posted by jpang922

Thanks. Could also just remove both guides and put stickers in place I guess?

Another paceliner and I split an order of 15 or so a few years ago. I should still have some laying around - PM me if you end up getting that frame and I'll try to dig them up!

[jpang922]

Originally Posted by stev0

Another paceliner and I split an order of 15 or so a few years ago. I should still have some laying around - PM me if you end up getting that frame and I'll try to dig them up!

Thanks! Now time for some trigonometry to figure out if I can make the geometry work!

[johnnylarue]

I spent the weekend cleaning the drive train and installing some new drapes and carpeting on my 585 Ultra.
AFEFCB61-16B6-4971-9900-E8C8DF79DFF5.jpg
- Tri-colour Prologo tape was a BEAR to install (thick, not very stretchy and really tricky to get the colours to do the same thing on both sides of those aero bars. I got there eventually and I *think* it was worth it...? I therefore begrudgingly thank kiwisimon for the tape suggestion.

- Veloflex Corsa 25mm. THESE TIRES ARE PURE BLISS. I thank everyone who sang there praises on this forum. I had no idea good tires could make the road feel like a Velodrome track. They pair incredibly well with this tight handling frame—sure-footed, fast and crazy comfortable. If they can stand up to some miles and mild abuse, I’ll be stockpiling these.

- Wellgo R146 flat pedals. YES! I’m keeping the clipless pedals in the drawer until further notice (or a justifiably long ride). These platforms add a bit of weight, but they’re small, narrow (corner well), and stick to my running shoe soles like dog poop with gum in it. I’m a fan.

- Fact: the bike currently says “Look” on it 20 separate times. (Obviously I’ll be needing the matching seat post eventually...)

- Rocking a lawsuit-proof/fate-tempting 45mm of risers on the steerer (I think that’s 5mm over Look’s recommended height limit.) It feels solid as heck and that extra 5mm makes the bike fit like a cozy sweater—and more importantly, it lets me keep that ridiculous beluga-shaped Look HSD stem. (Fwiw, I have dental insurance.)

Sum total, this bike absolutely slays and I’m glad it has its own 20-page thread to prove it. Obnoxious vanity shots:
E901F77F-74F8-4192-83FA-B3FC6718FB63.jpg
6AC5D221-87C3-488B-97C5-288F2787AB25.jpg

[saab2000]

That's a good looking bike. That's a lot of space under the bars. Do you have a long expander in there? That's the only thing I'd be a bit concerned about.

[johnnylarue]

Originally Posted by saab2000

That's a good looking bike. That's a lot of space under the bars. Do you have a long expander in there? That's the only thing I'd be a bit concerned about.

Miraculously, the steerer tube was never cut. The original owner had resale potential in mind when he bought it so he left it intact. Look apparently suggests a max of 40mm of spacers. Easton say 50mm for their (1 1/8”) forks. So I’m splitting the difference. Haven’t noticed any wiggles, even with all my weight on the bars, and the bike still handles identically. The fit is just too good to go back! (Cut to: Johnny, lying in a hospital bed, commenting on the great fit of his full body cast...)

[saab2000]

I have chopped mine all the way down so resale is gone. Anyway, this bike has zero resale value. It is a damaged rescue. Still my daily rider. I've got a NOS spare in the basement.

Recently took a trip to Florida with it and this was my first morning on Sanibel Island. Foggy and with the sandy roads and extremely wet air my bike looks like an off-roader.

Given the current conditions in Chicago I wish I were still in SW Florida!

[johnnylarue]

Originally Posted by saab2000

I have chopped mine all the way down so resale is gone. Anyway, this bike has zero resale value. It is a damaged rescue. Still my daily rider. I've got a NOS spare in the basement.

Recently took a trip to Florida with it and this was my first morning on Sanibel Island. Foggy and with the sandy roads and extremely wet air my bike looks like an off-roader.

Given the current conditions in Chicago I wish I were still in SW Florida!

Sweet gravel bike!

This is the best riding season here in SoCal. Dry and 70F every day. I count my lucky stars on a daily basis. I’ll take the magic carpet out for a spin today in honour of all you poor sods who are stuck riding snow shovels at the moment.

[Latestart]

Originally Posted by paredown

Not critical, as you say. I picked up a few on UK Amazon (not sure if they are still available)--but I sold my spares on eBay--where I have also seen them but don't see any at present.

They are just lightweight plastic with a single screw, IIRC. Jagwire makes a nice peel and stick, but it is curved the wrong way on the backer for that head tube location. (How hard would it have been to make the center bit swivel???).

This looks like the perfect task for 3D printing - not a safety item, doesn't have to be super-strong, etc. And would take very little material to make.. There's a lot of skill on this board, some talented PL person can knock this out in a day.

[jimoots]

Is that 45mm of spacers on top of the dust cover or including? You typically include the dust cover in the 'safe' amount of steerer above the head tube afaik. So if you're at 45mm of actual spacers, and then ~15mm of dust cover you're in the danger zone.

I personally would go a 0 degree or flipped stem in place of that many spacers. The aesthetics aren't great in either situation (spacer or positive stem) and that's fine - it matters far more how a bike feels than how it looks, but its more about safety and confidence/peace of mind for mine. For every degree you reduce on a 73 degree head tube, you are effectively adding about 2mm of stack.

• Going from -6 to 0 degree will allow you to remove 12mm of spacers on a 73 deg head tube
• Going from -6 to +6 (flipped) will allow you to remove 24mm of spacers on a 73 deg head tube

If you insist on keeping it as is, I'd suggest tracking down an 8cm Colnago steerer tube bung/expander (here, here or here).

Also noting that, while it might be a priority, it might be worth keeping an eye out for a Look 585 Optimum. They are a Look 585 but with a shorter top tube and taller head tube, 'sportive' geo.

For any given size you get ~15mm more head tube and ~15mm less effective top tube. So to keep your top tube constant, you size up and get an extra 30mm of head tube.

They are relatively rare but like the 585 itself, don't really command a price premium. You just need to keep an eye out for the 'Optimum' graphics on the seat tube, sellers often just list them as a 585.

Size charts below as I know that might be a bit hard to process.

585:


585 Optimum:


Anyway, food for thought. Happy riding.