dgasmd

Well, about 8 months ago I was ready to spend upwards of $7K on a well equipped Parlee. I then stopped myself and decided to buy all the good components and wheels I would put on that bike and get a "cheaper" frame to ride first. My question was: was it the components or the frame that make an excellent bike? I always read all these bike reviews of the top of the line bikes and can't possibly for the life of me understand how someone could compare 2 bikes with completely different components and wheels and be able to tell the frame alone is one way or another, much less the crap about a 5% flex in the front hub vs the chain stays, etc. So, I went in the group buy for a ZX3 Pedal Force frame. That bike was built up and has been ridden for the last 6 months at about 200 miles per week consistently. I could not have been happier with the bike, frame, components, wheels, etc. However, the 6 months mark hit me and I began to itch for something new. I decided that it was time to "LOOK" around for something a bit unique, highly regarded, and that it appealed to me aesthetically. The first few on the list were Parlee, Ruegamer, Pinarello Prince, and a few others. Frame was ordered, came in last week, and I picked it up today. I thought I was very well fitted to my previous bike, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The frame, stem, bars, etc. were the right size for me, but the entire fitting of the bike was sooooooo wrong. After spending about 45 min. tweeking things on it and getting it perfect, the guy at the shop took all the measurements to transfer to the new bike. Picking it up today took about 5 min. to adjust a couple of things and I was out the door to try it for a couple of miles.

THE BAD:
1. This thing was not cheap despite the hefty discount I got through a friend of the store owner.
2. The entire built came up exactly 1 Lb heavier than my previous bike. The frame and fork were noticeably heavier, the bike now has a Powertap hub that is a good 240gm heavier than the previous hub, has a new seat that I would venture to say is a good 50gm heavier, and has a boat load of gel padding on the bars with heavy bar wrap (the guys thought it would be great for me since I focus more on long rides not knowing the weight weenie in me)
3. I have not ridden it more than 2 miles so far.
4. Even though the new seat is to "try" and seems to be pretty darn comfortable without the pressure points I was having, I don't know if it is due to the great fitting or the new seat. I will ride it a bit tomorrow and then place back my previous seat to compare and weight compare too.
THE GOOD:
1. This thing is so hot it burns my retinas when I "LOOK" at it.
2. It fits incredibly comfortable.
3. It is a crotch missile.
4. It proved me wrong big time on several points:
*I would not be able to tell much difference in performance between the ZX3 frame and this new frame.
*That this new frame and fork could not possibly be that much stiffer than the other frame.
*That this new frame/fork could not possibly be any more comfortable (by light years if I may add) that my previous bike.
*That it would take me several weeks to get adjusted to the new bike.

In any case, here is a teaser picture for now. I had to run out the door as soon as I got home today, so many more pictures to come tomorrow.

Old Pedal Force ZX3:





New Bike:

urbanknight

That bike is sexy!!! A few comments, though:

1) Learn how to take OCP photos (you got the white garage door, but need the valve stems up, drive side shot in the big ring/small cog, and cranks arms vertical.)

2) Need black chainrings and a black computer.
edit: Oh yeah, and Campy makes a black carbon derailleur clamp.

ridethecliche

Pound heavier for a new bike?

Clearly you're not LOOKin in the righ direction

Can't wait to see the build

Asian Sensation

talk about stealth... i wonder whats hiding in the box...

celerystalksme

i bet it's a huffy

dgasmd

Well, the bike above is 14.4 Lb to start with. A mere 454 gm makes a Lb. The PT hub makes up for 65-70% of that alone!!

Trust me when I say the weight will go back below 15 Lb even if I have to ride with a single wheel

Asian Sensation

so the box cost more than whats inside?

Surferbruce

cardboard has incredible vertical compliance...

s4one

More power to Look owners!

ridethecliche

Hahah, I was just kidding, but awesome!

Any plans on racing?

Strong Bad

You've been Lookmotized!
I've been a big fan of the Look frames since my older brother bought a Bernard Hinault frame many years ago. Since then, it seems like Look has really been on top of it, and keeps producing great products.
I still like my ZX3, but I am happy that you got your Look. That would be my "spend lot's more dollars" choice.

markyore

but perhaps some of the improved comfort and performance is duet to the new bike fitting better than the old one?

Did you ride the old one after the shop had adjusted your fit on it?

ted ward

What paint scheme did you get? Pro team black/white?

dgasmd

Yes, I did ride it. It felt so much better, but the difference is staggering. Let me remind you that aside from the frame/fork, the only differences are the rear hub (same spokes, count, and rim), seat, and handlebar tape. Tons of pictures later today.

markyore

Seems like a very good comparison then..........so should I cancel my RS2 order ans save up for a brand name frame or do you think that the new LOOK is really exceptional (i.e. better than most brand name frames)?

I look forward to the pics (no pun intended)

Surferbruce

this thread is worthless without pics
kidding, but i've got about a week on my new 585 and so far it's absolutely the best riding bike i've ever owned. the handling is spot on (it's also the best fitting bike i've had so far too)- quick and responsive, but i can ride hands off with total confidence. descending is also way solid and confidence inspiring.

Coyote2

Different seat and, to lesser extent handlebar tape, will make a large difference in comfort.

And the placebo effect can be staggering, too.

dgasmd

The comfort I attribute it about 95% to the better fit of the bike, although I will find out later today when I take a 42 mile ride in it with the new seat and then swap back to the old seat. The bar tape will be gone before the end of the day. I have smaller hands and the very thick tape job is incredibly annoying and uncomfortable to me.

As far as the "new" feeling, I can tell you it can certainly be there, but I don't think it is the reason at all. I was incredibly skeptic and actually was looking hard for reasons to prove myself right about no difference between this and the ZX3. I actually rode the bike over a very very crappy road and pushed hard. The difference was night and day. It is all I can say. Don't get me wrong. I loved the ZX3 and I still think it is an awesome bike. I am not looking to justify my expense here as I am A) fortunate to have a good amount of disposable income and B) would be the first to say/admit it was a waste of good money. The difference to me at least is real and real big, but I will be able to tell you more after my ride this afternoon.

Going to take pictures now.

dgasmd

Well, here are the pictures. Despite the number of them, I am sure someone will beetch about not being enough, too many, something OCP, etc.! And yes, the stem will be dropped some more and the bar wrap will be replaced.

Asian Sensation

return it for the white one...





JK!!! very nice ride, did you ride the original 595 before you purchased the ultra?

dgasmd

LOOK 595 Ultra

dgasmd

That is it for now. Got it ride it today and will report how it feels and compare to the Pedal Force ZX3 in more detail.

dgasmd

The all white one is what I would have chosen, but that is last year's color and no longer available.

Thanks. I did not ride the origin 595. Why? Because the only guy I know that has one is almost an entire foot taller than me, so it would not have told me anything at all. I ride 90% of the time in flat lands with tons of winds, so I like bikes that are very stiff. The description of this one fit those requirements.

s4one

Nice bike!! What size is that bike and did you already cut the seat post?

dgasmd

Size is S. I thought that for sure I would need a M size based on the PF's measurements and the LOOK's geometry chart, but I am glad I went along with the bike store guy instead. The M would have been pushing it if not a tad too long (stretched out).

Yes, the seat mast was already cut. It was about 3"-4" taller originally.