Let's take a gander at what Look has in store for us in 2010
starting with the all-new 566, the bike from the historic French
manufacturer that will likely have the most impact on our store in the
coming year. The 566 is Look's "affordable" all-carbon bike. It has
relaxed geometry, some great carbon technology, super component spec,
and is offered at two price points that are very reasonable considering
all the price increases we're seeing from every other brand. We're
really excited about this bike because it gives nearly everyone
considering a full-carbon bike the chance to purchase a Look.
The all-new Look 566...Beautiful
The
frame itself is somewhat of a departure from previous Look models.
Like many relaxed geometry performance frames, you'll find a taller
head tube, shorter top tube, and a longer wheelbase on the 566. All of
these offer the rider performance with more comfort than a more
aggressively designed frame, but Look isn't just copying similar (and
very popular) bikes in our shop such as the Cannondale Synapse and Felt
Z Series. No, Look clearly put some thought into this frame, and the
details show through immediately upon seeing the bike. The top tube of
the 566 is eye-catching to say the least. It's very flat, almost
invisible from the side, and serves to both stiffen the frame
laterally, while offering vertical compliance for a more comfortable
ride - characteristics everyone is trying to achieve. There's a little
"kink" in the top tube near the front of the bike. Hmmm, what could a
bend in the tube at that exact placement do for the bike? What strange
new technology has Look employed to make the 566 drastically different
from any other bike in it's class? The answer from Look is
fascinating...nothing. Huh? That's correct - the bend does nothing,
it's just there to look good. I LOVE IT! This is what makes Look
Cycles different from other manufacturers. Instead of coming up with a
bunch of marketing BS to explain how such a thing creates some magical
properties, they choose to be honest and admit it's there just because.
The kink is just for appearances...at least they're honest!
Another
stand-out section of the Look 566 is the chainstays. They appear to be
almost twisted as the engineers from Look take full advantage of the
versatility of carbon fiber by shaping the tubes one way near the
bottom bracket for lateral rigidity, and then shaping them the other
way for vertical compliance where it counts. Makes sense.
The twisted chainstays make sense
So,
it's pretty clear the Look 566 is not just another cookie-cutter
relaxed geometry frame, but Look wasn't finished with their surprises.
This bike is a replacement for the Look 555, and needed to be somewhat
affordable despite all the technology and good looks they've poured
into it. Usually a manufacturer would accomplish this by compromising
the component spec - replacing the brakes and cranks, for instance,
with cheap models hoping the consumer will only see the shifters and
rear derailleur. Look, however, has never made it a practice of their
company, and the 566 is no different. The Look 566 comes with your
choice of two component specs: one decked out with SRAM Rival, widely
believed to be the best overall of the SRAM offerings, and the other is
equipped with Shimano Ultegra SL. Both are complete component groups,
brakes and cranks included, and both have surprising pricing. The
Rival-equipped Look 566 will retail at $2799.00, and the Ultegra SL
bike will be $3299.00. More than reasonable, and downright great
considering what some other manufacturers are asking for similarly
spec'd bikes in 2010, many of lesser quality!
The SRAM Rival bike will be oh-so-pretty white
The
Look 566 will be playing a prominent role on our sales floor for 2010.
The design, quality, spec, and appearance of the bike make it very
difficult to beat, and I suspect that, even if all things were
otherwise equal (which they're not), the name on the frame alone will
make this a top seller.