Look 695 BB and Crank?

[Boeing]

Does anyone know the real low down on this system? Is it really necessary to have an exclusive set-up that ultimately reduces crank arm length selection?

Is it that much stiffer and lighter and better performing? Or is it a sales pitch to keep things in house.

How can adjustable crank arm length be stiffer?

I am disappointed

Also will there be an adapter to run standard cranks and outboard BB?

please educate me

 

[Hitchey]

There is an adaptor to fit into Look's BB housing that will allow the use of an english threaded BB. If I recall my conversation with a long time Look employee correctly, one would remove the Look bearings and then replace it with the adaptor. I believe Look will provide or sell the adaptor.

BTW, if you have not seen it, it is a very nice looking bike.

 

[Boeing]

There is an adaptor to fit into Look's BB housing that will allow the use of an english threaded BB. If I recall my conversation with a long time Look employee correctly, one would remove the Look bearings and then replace it with the adaptor. I believe Look will provide or sell the adaptor.

BTW, if you have not seen it, it is a very nice looking bike.

thanks for that

I am all about Look and currently run the 595 ultra. I have only seen the bike on TV and web. Did not go to inter bike this year because of a bike riding trip

What do you know about these adjustable crank arm lengths? Do I understand that right? can one crank run 170, 172.5 and 175 at any time with adjustment?

Look is not the quickest to update their web and shy's away from tech info imho

 

[veganrob]

I am a Look dealer,ride the 595 Ultra, and have had the pleasure of riding the 695. It is indeed lighter, stiffer, smoother, climbs better and nothing short of amazing.
There is a tri lobe at the end of the crank arm which repositioning allows for the different lengths. You WANT the Zen cranks. I have them on my 596.
The integrated stem/steerer is also fantastic. If you have a Look stem on your current 595 you know what a huge difference it makes in handling. This is better.
I have my order for the Mondrian paint job. $500 extra but it is sweet.
I highly recommend you get the 695.

 

[Boeing]

@veganrobInteresting and thanks

How did you like the crank/bb set up?

Also, is there much stack room for the fork steerer tube and stem?

and do you know if the 464P Track fork is drilled for front brake?

 

[Cliveds]

I feel this crank and stem set up is the future of cycling. Right now it seems a little confusing but in years to come it will be the norm.

On the look 695 you can adapt any stem/crank/pedal you want but why would you?

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I feel this crank and stem set up is the future of cycling. Right now it seems a little confusing but in years to come it will be the norm.

On the look 695 you can adapt any stem/crank/pedal you want but why would you?

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=92

 

[Boeing]

I feel this crank and stem set up is the future of cycling. Right now it seems a little confusing but in years to come it will be the norm.

On the look 695 you can adapt any stem/crank/pedal you want but why would you?

Adapting a crank is a question of length. I run a 177.5 and the look is limited to a 175.

the stem is not a real issue. It is adjustable and Look seems to have varied sizes as well. cool great and the steerer seems to be 1.5 through out and no longer tapered 1 1/8 to 1.5 so How one adapts stems is beyond me.

Back to the crank. I took a long look at this bike finally as a LBS finally has one on the floor. the number of pieces required to change the crank arm length appears to me to complicate and perhaps compromise stiffness. How one can suggest what is essentially a screw/nut/washer set up at the spindle is as stiff as a typical bonded piece in a carbon crank or machined in alloy crank arms is stiffer is beyond my limited knowledge in basic physics and engineering.

I fail to see how this is the wave of the future for anyone benefit other than ease in manufacturing

The only reason for adjustable crank arm length and limited crank arm length offerings I can see is the ease in manufacturing and distribution of the product. Which is chicken bleep IMHO

To me the benefit of Look's superior carbon technology and the monocog bottom bracket design on this frame with the added BB and bearing design itself is lost with the silly adjustable washer length set up on their exclusive cranks.


So you question "why Would you?" really needs to be directed to Look



I was additionally surprised to see that the rear stays are bonded to the frame. the main triangle and rear stays are 2 separate pieces this is confusing coming from a Lugged design to an advertised "monocog".

anyone?

 

[Notso Swift]

Wouldn't a join in the crank "assembly" (regardless of design - everything from square taper to the latest Ultratorque -) closer to the axle be more susceptible to the torque applied through the lever?
I think the tri lobe with a monocoque arm assembly is inspired thinking, like you however, I lament the limited lengths, I am 195cm and should be running a 180, so...
IIRC Look only say the 695 is a monocoque triangle, not assembly, which is a correct description, but remember this is still a pretty radical update by Look standards! They are a company that doesn’t seem to follow trends, but when they do something it seems well considered, as a consumer I guess that gives me a bit of confidence in the organisation. (Even though they are making their cheaper frames in Asia now)

Mondrian paint job, mmm yes please, if they keep them limited and high end then I can see them being a real premium in a few years. It is on my wish list, that is for sure.

Oh yes, I am biased towards thier products, but I make no apologies for that

 

[Boeing]

I am biased as well. And thank you for the clarifying my oversight of the benefits of one piece design because of my rather myopic needs and complaints. I think my thought is that such brilliant design is limited by a mickey mouse spindle attachment.

But to looks credit they throw enough mud on the wall for the bad to fall off and the good to stick over the years.

So help me understand the need for the joint bonding of main and rear triangles? And the bent top tube.

Interesting that the frames come with crank arms and pedals but no chain rings. That is a curious shape for the traditional bolt patterns as well.

 

[Notso Swift]

I do not know 100% why they make it two piece
The cynic in me says that all the rear triangles are the same regardless of frame size (ignore the SR vs standard stiffness) so it is cheaper to produce....

The other thing is if you build a 1 piece monocoque it would be harder to control the resin thickness and hence weight especially around the stays
Since resin and bonding is more important than the Carbonfibre in a frame I guess they want to control that as carefully as possible

Bent top tube is something they do with the TT bike as well, marketing blurb is aero, if you look at it it is not a constant bend, it starts going up from the headset, then there is a distinctive kick that runs down, personally I think it detracts from the aesthetic
You choose your own chain rings based on 130 or 110 PCD, they do sell look "branded" units, but they are made by some one else like Specialties-TA. Not sure what you mean about the spindle, they look huge. BTW I have only ever seen one of these frames in the flesh, and have never ridden one

 

[595RED]

Wouldn't a join in the crank "assembly" (regardless of design - everything from square taper to the latest Ultratorque -) closer to the axle be more susceptible to the torque applied through the lever?
I think the tri lobe with a monocoque arm assembly is inspired thinking, like you however, I lament the limited lengths, I am 195cm and should be running a 180, so...
IIRC Look only say the 695 is a monocoque triangle, not assembly, which is a correct description, but remember this is still a pretty radical update by Look standards! They are a company that doesn’t seem to follow trends, but when they do something it seems well considered, as a consumer I guess that gives me a bit of confidence in the organisation. (Even though they are making their cheaper frames in Asia now)

Mondrian paint job, mmm yes please, if they keep them limited and high end then I can see them being a real premium in a few years. It is on my wish list, that is for sure.

Oh yes, I am biased towards thier products, but I make no apologies for that

Now some 11 months into use on my 695 mondrian with zed crank I can report, the tri lobe system has been awesome, i set the length initially and havent had to tweak the assembly once.