In a shock transfer, Look has right this moment launched a brand new top-flight climbing bike. Normally we see fashions resembling this piloted by WorldTour groups first in subtly choreographed, ‘by accident’ launched occasions at massive races, however the brand new 785 Huez hasn’t been seen underneath the riders from Cofidis, no less than not that we will bear in mind.
As the title would counsel, the bike takes purpose on the massive mountains like Alpe d’Huez, focussing on a low weight and a excessive stiffness-to-weight ratio, relatively than aerodynamic effectivity.
Round tubes and ‘regular’ equipment
In latest years we have seen a transfer from groups having an aero bike for the flat and a climbing bike for the mountains in direction of a single race bike setup. Look supplies Cofidis with its 795 Blade RS, and the truth that this new Huez is not accessible in a SRAM Red or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 construct suggests it is not going to characteristic within the professional ranks.
This is bolstered by the actual fact it has a traditional spherical seatpost; not very aero, however truly possible of profit to shoppers. It’s simpler to reside with and makes enjoying with bike match much more easy.
The body tubes, too, are predominantly rounded and skinny, with nary a truncated aerofoil to be discovered. It’s comparable in that respect to the non-aero however nonetheless very fashionable Specialized Aethos in that regard.
Look says the 785 Huez is an adaptable platform designed for lengthy days in massive mountains. While it could have inside cable routing, the cockpit consists of a separate bar and stem, additional alluding to the truth that it is a consumer-first machine relatively than a professional race trickle-down mannequin.
Nanotubes to save lots of grams
While the spherical profiles admit defeat on the aero battlefield, they do assist to save lots of weight. The tube profiles, together with the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which allegedly make the layup stronger, in flip permitting thinner tube thicknesses, hold the load for the frameset right down to 1280g.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, evaluations and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
A T47 backside bracket marries up properly with the remainder of the smart normal for the remainder of the bike, along with a totally fashionable (although not large by any means these days) clearance for 32mm tyres.
Specs and pricing
The Look 785 Huez is offered as a frameset for €2490 / £2490 / $2790 and in specs starting from Shimano 105 mechanical for $3,690, via to Ultegra Di2 as the highest flight choice at $6,490. UK and EU pricing for full bikes has not but been forthcoming however we’ll replace as quickly because it turns into accessible.