look vs. time
 

Not the eighties magazine battle, but the bikes. I rode the Look 595 and the Time vx racer, and I thought the Look's ride was amazing and far and above the Time.. I know this isn't a fair comparison so I'm wondering if anyone who's ridden both these brands knows if the VXS or WVXS or whatever it's called is far superior to the VX Racer? I can't find a VXS or above to ride so I'm gonna have to order one... Any help is appreciated...

Why even consider the Time? The Look 595 is an amazing bike. A friend of mine owns one who is nationally ranked and to me it is about as good a racing frame as there is. I opt for its little brother because I don't need nor want that level of stiffness. I have never heard anybody who didn't like a Look frameset. There isn't a single thing I don't like about mine from ride to handling, rear triangle stiffness to linear high speed descents. Plus they look nice. :)

in the beginning LOOK and TIME were one and the same, they're both about as good as carbon fiber gets. Time is one of the only companies that weaves their own carbon fabric.
i have a LOOK and i've yet to swing a leg over a bike with a better ride quality.
either way, i don't think you can go wrong.

did you ride the time's as well, surferbruce? i liked the vx, but it didn't have the responsiveness that the 595 had. i had this sensation that i was being 'propelled' forward when i stood up and cranked on the 595 that i didn't find on the vx racer. maybe the vxs or the vxrs is different, though... the threads i've read about the time frames are all raves....

Avoid the Time Edge racer at all costs. Wet noodle. You'll scare yourself on the first downhill.

i tried a Time VX something, i honestly can't remember, it was during a 3 day stint where i test rode a bunch of frames.
i went with the LOOK because like you say it just felt like an extension of me when i rode it. it also seemed stiffer (and i'm talking about the Origin too, not the Ultra) while still having a wonderful steel-like road feel.

do you think the ultra is a superior bike now? i'm all for more stiffness but i did like the ride quality on the 595... maybe the ultra is a little less cushy on the ride? i was also thinking the 586 but to me i wouldn't want to lose that stiffness the 595 offers...

unless you are racing and you're a big guy or serious sprinter i think the advantage goes to the origin.

The Time VX Edge Racer is their entry level frame designed for comfort over stiffness. The VXR and VXRS use HM carbon and are designed for performance. I haven't ridden them but my 2003 VX Special Pro (pre VXR), also an HM carbon frame, is quite responsive. I haven't ridden the Look frames either but they are beautiful especially the 595.
In general Time is considered a boutique manufacturer, all hand-made in France. Their geometry is very classic, their rides extremely precise. They have no-thrill designs, yet they were the first with an integrated seatpost.
Look has a larger production, now in Tunisia, and is also quite a bit cheaper. Their recent designs are quite stunning.
I have been looking on e-bay for a 585 frame for a while and saw quite a few repaired frames over the last 12 months. I have never seen such a frame from Time.

Bonzo, it seems like you'll need to take a test ride on each to truly know which to pick.
In the meantime, it's still

Look vs. Time.

Gratuitous LOOK shot:

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...drianFinal.jpg]

^^^^ Makes people who've studied Art History swoon. :D Keeps you feeling fascination.