It has already been put through its paces in competition: Alex Aranburu secured a stage victory at the Itzulia Tour of the Basque Country back in April on the new LOOK, before following that up with another victory at the Tour of Belgium in June. Team Cofidis was involved in developing the bike from the outset and tested it under race conditions.
Lighter frame and fork
The fact that this innovation nevertheless attracted little attention, It’s probably down to the very subtle exterior facelift. The French have reportedly managed to reduce the weight: the carbon frame in size M is said to weigh 890 grams including paintwork, 110 grams less than its predecessor. The new fork weighs 340 grams, 50 grams less than before. In line with the general trend, the tyre clearance at the front and rear has increased to 34 millimetres.
Stiffness in the bottom bracket and head tube areas is 10 per cent above the WorldTour average. The patented flexible chainstays, the increased fork flexibility and the 34-millimetre tyre clearance are designed to improve riding comfort. According to LOOK, three different fork offsets ensure consistent handling across all frame sizes.
Aerodynamic development
LOOK utilised CFD simulations, wind tunnel tests and road validation. Development focused on high wind angles between 0 and 15 degrees, as crosswinds are the dominant factor under real-world conditions. Each tube profile was optimised individually: at the front, the priority is on low drag coefficients and stiffness, with the tubes cutting through undisturbed air. At the rear, where turbulence is caused by the rider’s legs, the tubes are thinner and more flexible.
The wind tunnel tests were initially carried out without riders to gather baseline data, and then with riders of different body dimensions. This resulted in a high degree of measurement uncertainty, so LOOK repeated the measurements several times to validate the results: A solution was only considered better if the improvement in performance was greater than the measurement noise. The aerodynamic saving is said to be 15 watts for the system comprising the bike and rider at 50 kilometres per hour, compared with the previous 795 Blade RS. Based on the measurement data from TOUR, the French manufacturer estimates the drag coefficient at 205 watts – although we have not yet tested the bike ourselves.
New Aero Carbon Handlebar
The new handlebars reduce air resistance and improve ergonomics. Their shape is designed to help riders maintain an aerodynamic position for longer than with rival models, whilst keeping the upper body more relaxed. The stiffness of the lower handlebar grips allows for quick hand movements, ensuring maximum power transfer during sprints. The angle and flare of the handlebar ends open up the chest and shoulders for better breathing and precise steering on climbs. Three widths are available: 380, 400 and 420 millimetres. The handlebar is compatible with the previous Aero Combo Carbon Handlebar in 360 and 440 millimetres.
Focus on customisation options
There are 350 possible combinations, resulting from seven stem lengths (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 millimetres), three handlebar widths and two seatpost offsets. The Aeropost 5 is available with a 27-millimetre offset or without offset. Spacers ranging from 0 to 50 millimetres in 5- or 10-millimetre increments complete the options. The adjustable stem with offset offers +42 and -8 millimetres; without offset, it offers +15 and -35 millimetres.
The manufacturer claims that the reach-stack adjustment range of the 795 BladeRS 3 in size M covers a range that competitors can only achieve with two different frame sizes. Riders between 155 and 200 centimetres in height will therefore find at least two suitable sizes.
Four gear systems, four wheel sets, four colours
The LOOK configurator allows you to choose from four groupset options: Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x12, SRAM Force E1 AXS 2x12 and Campagnolo Super Record 2x13. The available wheelsets are the LOOK R45S, Mavic Comete 50, Fulcrum Speed 57 and Scope Artech 6.A. Groupset and wheelsets can be combined as desired using the modular system. Four colour options are available: Iconic Prisme, Pro Team Black Raw, Silver Red and Orange Shift/Black. All six frame sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL) can be ordered in any colour. LOOK also offers a lifetime warranty on frames and forks upon registration.
Manufacturing in Burgundy
LOOK paints, assembles and inspects the 795 BladeRS 3 at its factory in Burgundy. Each frame is supplied with a carbon owner’s card certifying the bike. Production in France builds on the brand’s 40-year racing heritage. The bike is an exact replica of the version ridden by professional teams, and a paint finish in the team’s livery is also available.
Technical details at a glance:
- Frame weight: 890 g (size M, painted)
- Fork weight: 340 g
- Complete bike: from 6.9 kg (size M, excluding pedals)
- Ground clearance: 34 mm (front and rear)
- Frame sizes: XXS / XS / S / M / L / XL
- Groupsets: Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x12, SRAM Force E1 AXS 2x12, Campagnolo Super Record 2x13
- Wheels: LOOK R45S, Mavic Comete 50, Fulcrum Speed 57, Scope Artech 6.A
- Colours: Iconic Prisme, Pro Team Black Raw, Silver Red, Orange Shift/Black
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty on the frame and fork (subject to registration)
- Manufacturing (painting and assembly): Nevers, France
Jens Klötzer
Editor
