With the 695 model, the French manufacturer Look is vigorously pushing ahead with system integration. Components such as the seat post, headset and stem are not from well-known suppliers, and the power centre does not feature a crank from Campagnolo, Shimano or SRAM. No, here too the Look logo on the carbon crank is proof that this is a special development. The idea is not new; other brands have already shown integrated cranks with their own bearing standard or height-adjustable stems on their top models. What is new with the Look 695, however, is the large number of customised technical solutions.
Everything from Look
Already familiar from earlier Look models is the E-Post seatpost, which can be adjusted to different rider weights and road surfaces using elastomer elements of different hardness. In addition, the saddle position can be adjusted horizontally by 30 millimetres on a slide with the saddle frame clamped. Depending on the saddle model, this effectively results in a horizontal adjustment range of around 60 millimetres, which makes adjusting the seating position more flexible compared to conventional clamps. In the steering centre, the French have relieved the conventional Ahead system of the function of adjusting the headset without play by means of a clamping cone in the steerer tube. Instead, the headset is clamped by means of a threaded sleeve fixed to the steerer tube and a union nut, which is supported by the head tube collar. To put it simply, you could say that Look has made the good old threaded headset lighter and more attractive.
A powerful stem sits enthroned above the head tube, inside which is a clever construction that clamps the steerer tube securely with little bolt force. The form-fit connection by means of two plane-parallel surfaces on the steerer tube is extremely practical, which is why the stem and fork are always exactly aligned - the handlebars can no longer be at an angle. The finely toothed clamping mechanism also allows the stem to be adjusted over a range of more than 20 degrees - spacers are unnecessary. Thanks to an insert wedge in the front of the handlebar mount, the stem length can be adjusted to 100 or 110 millimetres. Together with the flexible seat clamp, this makes it easier to adjust the riding position.
One-piece crank handle
In collaboration with the French crank manufacturer Spécialités T.A., Look has developed a completely new carbon crankset. This - and this is truly spectacular - appears to be moulded in one piece, including the metal bearing surfaces, and can also be fitted in one piece (bearings, cranks, chainrings). The only tool required is a three-millimetre hexagon socket to open a split threaded ring that secures the crank in the bottom bracket shell. This housing accommodates the largest crank bearings on standard bikes with an outer diameter of 65 millimetres. The crank arm length can also be adjusted by means of an adjustable pedal eyelet, which enables crank lengths of 170, 172.5 and 175 millimetres. During the ride, the technical specialities take a back seat - the look is quickly and easily adjusted to the individual riding position and then impresses with largely neutral handling. Although the 980 gram carbon frame has a rather low steering head stiffness (71 Newton metres per degree), the very laterally stiff fork promotes directional stability. On the other hand, it is also so stiff in the direction of travel that it does not forgive the slightest bump in the road. The difference in comfort compared to the E-Post damped rear is striking.
Conclusion: Praise for Look for breaking new ground with many technical details, which above all improve the all-important adjustability of the seating position. The fact that this has resulted in a stylish racer with harmonious lines (with the exception of the somewhat clunky stem) also makes the 695 a hot number.
Reference/Info Grofa, telephone 06434/2008-200, www.grofa.com
Frame sizes** 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 cm
Seat/steering angle 74/73°
Seat/top tube/head tube 630/555/171 mm plus 20 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 995/57 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 568/392 mm/1.45
EQUIPMENT
Fork Look HSC 7
Steering bearing Look, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Gearshift/brakes Shimano Dura-Ace
Crank handle Look ZED 2
Wheels/tyres Fulcrum Racing Zero/ Continental GP 4000S
Handlebar/stem FSA SL-K/Look C-Stem
Saddle/post Fizik Antares/Look E-Post
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES*
Weight Complete bike 6.6 kilos (without pedals)
Frame/fork/steering bearing weight 984/303/70 g
Standardised weight frame set**** 1.395 g 1 , 7
Steering head stiffness 71 Nm/°: 3 , 7
Lateral stiffness Fork 50 N/mm: 1 , 3
Bottom bracket stiffness 50 N/mm: 2 , 7
Comfort frame 204 N/mm: 1 , 7
Comfort fork 104 N/mm: 5 , 0
* The grade includes further individual grades which we have not printed for reasons of space.
** Tested frame size in bold.
*** Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the headset; STR (stack to reach): Values between 1.45 and 1.55 indicate a sporty riding position, values below are race-like, above are comfortable.
**** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
