Look 765 Optimum - Smooth-running Frenchman
With its return to the World Tour as a team supplier, the traditional French brand is doing something again. On the one hand, Look put a new competition bike on the tyres, on which the team Cofidis with Simon Geschke since the start of the season. On the other hand, the company known for its clipless pedals presented a further development of the long-distance 765 Optimum.
The most striking innovation compared to its predecessor can be seen on the right-hand chainstay - or not. While this was pulled down on the old model to allow tyres up to 42 millimetres wide to be fitted, Look has now dispensed with this and "only" allows the frame and fork to be fitted with tyres up to 34 millimetres wide. Even with the slightly narrower standard tyres, the Look, which is equipped with a carbon seat post, allows for off-road excursions; however, in view of the extremely hard-tuned front end, you shouldn't overdo it or reach for more voluminous tyres.
Although the head tube is around two centimetres shorter than its predecessor, you still sit upright in the saddle, as the handlebars cannot be clamped lower due to the integrated cables. Little has changed in terms of riding characteristics. Thanks to the long wheelbase and flat steering angle (70.5 degrees), the 765 is so smooth that sporty riders will have to get used to it. The French have impressively rectified a weak point of its predecessor by slimming down the frameset, which weighs almost 400 grams less.
In addition, the frame and fork have relatively light carbon wheels with mounts for mudguards. However, the heavy aluminium handlebar/stem unit negates the efforts to achieve a low overall weight - the second most expensive bike in the test ranks at the bottom of the list. The top model with electronic Ultegra should also be only slightly lighter.
The Look 765 Optimum in detail
- Price5390 Euro
- Weight: 8,8 Kilo
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1139/422/73 grammes
- Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 510/550/147 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 583/376 millimetres/1.55
- Wheelbase/caster 1020/69 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano 105 (160/140 millimetres)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Look R38 D/Hutchinson Fusion 5 30 mm (f./h.: 1283/1796 g)
Strengths: Extremely smooth running, large tyre clearance
Weaknesses: little suspension comfort on the handlebars, expensive
The Look 765 Optimum gets an overall TOUR score of 2.2
More marathon bikes with Shimano 105 Di2 in the TOUR test
>> BH SL1 2.9
>> Canyon Endurace CF 7 Di2
>> Cube Agree C:62
>> Giant Defy Advanced 1
>> Basso Astra
>> Ridley Grifn
>> Rose Reveal Four 105 Di2
>> Storck Fascenario.3 Comp 105 Di2
* Weighed weights.
** Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
*** Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
**** Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
Julian Schultz
Editor
