The French company Look invented the racing bike click pedal in 1983 and the first carbon racing bike frame in 1986. Traditionally weak in the bike sector, a real novelty is rolling onto the world's race tracks for 2012: the Race-Fully 920. Of course this bike is made of carbon, of course it has a hot look - tradition obliges. The stem is elegantly integrated into the top tube, giving the frame a unique shape. In the rear triangle, flexing seat stays act as a pivot point, while a full carbon rocker links the DT Swiss shock. The down tube is protected against stone chips by a metal plate, and there is space for a water bottle in the frame triangle. The fact that you are dealing with a piece of sports equipment becomes clear as soon as you lift the bike: the scales show just over ten kilos. Of course, this is made possible by the exquisite equipment; the test bike was fitted with parts that meet the demands of world champions. Racer features also include: clamp instead of quick release on the seat post, the narrow handlebars, the tight gearing, the small discs, the very light wheels and the overall taut, sporty suspension set-up.
The Look 920 is fast, light and propulsion-orientated. You can't bob along the trail on it like you can on an all-mountain bike. The bike needs speed, powerful pedalling and a heart rate that expands your chest. But you also have to be prepared for typical race bike behaviour. The limit range is narrow, you can make hooks like a rabbit. It takes a skilled hand to parry the understeering steering - we have already swapped the original 580 handlebars for a 670 for the test. The top version we tested costs € 6999, for which you get the SRAM XX groupset and the full carbon frame with carbon fibre shock rocker. The entry-level model (aluminium rocker and Shimano SLX groupset) costs 3899 euros.
ConclusionThe Look 920 is a race fully with a classic character, but the look is anything but ordinary. It makes you stand out from the crowd in the starting block!
PLUS Low weight, extraordinary look
MINUS Handlebar width, sweeping seat stays
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