Look Rolls Out New Climbing-Specific Road Bike – Bike Magazine Australia

French bike manufacturer Look has developed a new flagship road bike, the 785 Huez RS. In designing the 785 Huez RS, Look aimed to create the lightest possible bike, while still ensuring a comfortable ride and predictable handling. Look envisions the 785 Huez RS as the perfect bike for grand fondos and long days in the mountains. 

The 785 Huez RS features a carbon frameset that Look says weighs 730 grams. The tubeset is shaped for style and aerodynamics. With the aim of increasing rider compliance and shaving weight, the frame uses a slim 27.2mm carbon seat post. Small diameter seat stays also aim to build comfort into the frameset. The Look Huez RS features a carbon fork with an advertised weight of 280 grams

Built up with SRAM Red ETAP, the Team Fortuneo Oscaro edition of the Look Huez RS weighs in at a claimed 5.91 kg/13 pounds. The team edition build includes Corima Carbon tubular wheels, Look ZED crankset, and Look carbon handlebars and seat post. The bike will be available for purchase in October 2017. The Look Huez RS is also available with a Shimano Dura Ace R9100 build and choice of Corima Carbon or Mavic Ksyrium elite black 25 wheelsets.

In addition to the RS, the Huez collection also includes the lower-priced 785 Huez. The 785 Huez features a different carbon lay-up to hit the lower price point, but still aims to provide long-ride comfort. Look says the 785 Huez frame weighs in at 990 grams and offers the same geometry as the higher-end 785 Huez RS. Built up with Shimano 105, the 785 Huez is designed to offer an affordable option for grand fondo and long, climbing-intensive rides.

To complete their new releases, Look has redesigned their reliable Keo 2 Max pedal. The Keo 2 Max Carbon, which Look is calling the “new series,” includes a slimmed down profile and a 25% wider contact area. Constructed from stainless steel, the platform measures 60mm wide and has a surface area of 500 sq. mm. The resulting pedal aims to provide greater comfort and efficiency, without adding weight.

Look has also revised the pedal spindle with the goal of creating less friction and greater reliability. The spindle is chro-moly for strength and features a newly designed bearing system. The updated spindle should offer a longer lifespan and be more watertight than the previous Keo. The new Keo 2 Max Carbon weighs in at 312 grams per pair.

The newly released 785 Huez RS will be ridden by Team Fortuneo Oscaro at the 2017 Tour de France.

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