I recently acquired two new Look models in rapid succession: I was fortunate enough to see the Interbike 2003 Look 481SL that a friend who frequents the same LBS acquired at the end of the show. I was so impressed with the fit and finish and the overall quality of the bike that when a chance to purchase a frame at a 'price I could not refuse' arose, I grabbed with both hands.
I built it up with Record 10 and Mavic K/SLs. The result is a ride that is the proverbial 'magic carpet' combined with crisp and responsive handling. Fast but stable in corners. Very good response out of the saddle. And, given our lumpy streets here (frost heaves, repairs, small and unavoidable potholes) the frame absorbs buzz without the 'dead' feeling that I experienced with my first carbon ride, a Trek 5200.
A few weeks later, when I was considering what to do about another bike that proved to be too small for me given recent changes in the way I ride (better condition, back muscles better to allow me to stretch out more on the frame and get out of the saddle more) the same source offered me an incredible deal on a 2004 486 frameset. I added that in place of the now-replaced 2002 frameset, stripping off the parts from the other bike (Record 10) and adding a set of the new Velomax Tempset IIs.
The 486 is a much stiffer frame than the 481, and the out of saddle response is simply amazing. Again, fit, finish, and build quality is as good as it gets, on a par with my Calfee and better than almost any other carbon frame I have looked at. While the 486 is too new for more than initial impressions, the 481 is a more comfortable, all day ride, with the 486 more 'instantly responsive' and no doubt quicker on turn in response than the more traditional 481. Not harsh by any means, but only less comfortable in contrast to the incredibly smooth 481.
Finally, I would be surprised if either of these frames had longevity issues. The carbon is very well laid up from what I can see, and from speaking to a few other Look owners, mostly 281 and 381 series, they have experienced no problems at all. Dave N.
--------------------
Time Wounds All Heels
|
Previous
Thread Index
Next
Flat
Re: Look Carbon...past and present
Edit
Reply
Quote
