Hello guys,

Somewhat of an urgent post. While in Paris for the past few days, ive visited a few shops. I found a store that sells my favorite brand, LOOK. I originally wanted the 795 with the cofidis paint job but it would not get here in time for me to take home. The only reason i even considered it was because it was seriously cheaper than in the states for €4350 euros for the frameset vs $7000 in us. The exchange is 1.07 so it would have been less than 5k, a 2k savings.

So now to what i am actually considering. I've been curious about owning a fixed gear / track bike for training purposes and maybe some velodrome action. The look 464 seems to be a nice bike and at €850 not terrbly expensive (frameset). So now for the questions:

* i live in a hilly area, i was thinking about getting a flip hub so i can coast down those long 30+ mph descents. Would i benefit from traning in single speed mode? I know many say fixed gear riding smoothens pedalling stroke but i dont know about single speed training.

* since i'd like to do track racing i'd need a fixed gear hub, but i need a brake for when in single speed. The guy here told me i could buy a lever and caliper that is easy to remove. Anybody experienced that? Is it an annoyance?

* i want to take this look home as a souvenir from my trip to paris but i also think that there is very limited availability in the states. Are there any shops in GA that carry look? While my dream bike is the 795/695 i think the 464 hits two nails in the head, being a pretty look and also satisfying my want for track bike.

* would buying in france and taking it to the states give me any problems with warranty? Sure did with the kask since it was meant for eu use only.

* the rep said i would not have to pay the french tax, would i have to pay tax on the way back if i were to pass the frame as luggage. I only have carry on.

I also saw a cinelli vigorelli which i liked but look is look and it screamed track monster all over.

Thank you and sorry for the long post. Trying to cover all bases since my wifi access is limited.

Thanks,
Luis

Why not buy it here?

https://www.benscycle.com/p-4918-loo...aSoaAnGN8P8HAQ

Not a terrible idea but they seem to be out of stock

So you had no interest, much less experience, riding FG/SS on the road, have no velodrome experience but are now interested in acquiring a dedicated track frameset

but don't know what to do w/ it beyond it's being a souvenir.

This reminds me of the tale of the guy who wanted to buy an elephant when he found that it was for sale for a $1.

Look up "Requirements Planning" on your limited bandwidth and take a deep breath.


-Bandera

.the only reason i considered the 795 (not fg) was because of the "good" pricing here vs the states. It has always been my ultimate dream bike but I would never buy it at $7k.

I've been thinking about getting a fg for a while and this 464 seems to fit the bill as well as being a look which i've always lusted after. Not too afraid of the fg. I'm sure it wont take that much to learn. And i am interested in track riding, been for a while.

also interest to see what benefits i'd gain on my road racing skills.

think it over. this seems to be an impulse buy. if you really want the 795 then buy a 795, not a substitute for it.

i bought a Look 675 as a present for myself a year ago. loved the way it looked but the ride was dull. too comfy for my liking but boy did it turn heads everywhere. im sure the 795 feels different. bought mine @ thecyclinghouse.com

and try spinning on the track first. i personally don't like the feel of a SS but there's tons to be gained doing it. 1st thing that comes to mind is sprinting. my coach is an ex-pro and loved his days @ the track. suffice to say he's a sprinter by heart.

Much easier to bring home a jersey.

No suggestions Luis about whether to pick up a Look bike as a souvenir but how do you like France?

How do the women look?....and are you doing much riding with the locals and how does riding compare there to the US?
Any pics?

Cheers

UPDATE: I did not buy anything. I really wanted to but I'll get it some other time. Really thought about it and what I really want is the new Propel when it comes out, so I'm fine with what I have for the moment. I DO want a track bike though.. it wasn't 100% impulse, more like 70% impulse.


@Campag4life - It was absolutely awesome. Loved it. Rode quite some on those city bikes that you can rent. No helmet, weaving through traffic like the locals. It was so much fun. The ladies are very very cute. French girls on their little skirts riding townie bikes with a basket, cute eye glasses and a pony tail with no helmet. It was certainly a dream of a vacation.

I also got to do one of the coolest things in my life unexpectedly. While in Annecy for a day, I found out that the TDF had passed though in 2013 and done a climb that was about 1 km away from my hotel. Decided to rent a nice hybird / road bike and give it a try. Thankfully I had my Garmin (randomly in my camera bag) as well as my go pro (same). Rode up the mountain on tennis shoes and some 20 euro tights that I bought the night before for running. Took me 1 hour and 42 minutes to do the 11.3 mile @ 7% average gradient. I was just happy to finish it without stopping. Started at the bottom with a chilly but sunny 42 degrees and got to the top with 4 feet of snow at around 30F. Worse thing ever since I was wearing a polo shirt that with all the sweat was nothing but freezing on my way down. Thankfully I had bought some Castelli "winter gloves" for 15 euro because I had none and it was chilly in Paris. I was scared ****less going down as there was snow on the road and the cliffs at more than 4k ft elevation from base were terrifying...Big reward getting to the top as you get to see Mont Blanc though!!! Here are a few pictures.

The TGV to Annecy


Annecy right after sunset.



Atop Mt. Semnoz with Mont Blanc in the background. It was a 4,288ft climb. 11.3 miles at an average of 7%.

Amazing trip! (video of the mt Semnoz descent to come first need to edit)

Forget the bike, enjoy the girl....no comparison.

Sounds like a really great time. French girls with short skirts on bikes! Hard to beta that.

BTW unless you want to ride track, FG bikes are overrated IMO. Years ago the were a winter training staple. Now they just aren't used for that. I rarely ride mine now even in the ss mode. About the only real redeeming advantage is they require no maintenance to speak of.