Thursday, August 30, 2007

Hey, Look's Back Again!

For most riders who have been Moutain Biking for a few years would know Look, while some of us new Mountain Bikers will wonder what's look. To make it fast and simple, Look is bike company that is originated from French and is popular among Roadies, they used to make Mountain Bike stuffs but has stop making em for quite a while. Their MTB like is not gone, just unnoticed because their 4X4 pedals are actually EggBeaters (Look licensed their 4X4 clipless pedals to CrankBros - if im not mistaken, someone please confirm this info), so anyway for 2008, Look has 2 new products for us Mountain Bikers (some of you might known this already).


To warm things up, Look decided to bring us new clipless pedals, the 4 sided entry pedals is one of the best mud-shedding design and is the lightest MTB clipless design out there, weight weenies usually dont buy a SPD design pedal because of average mud shedding and its kinda heavy (300-400grm). So what happen when you make a SPD design pedal at the weight of a 4 sided entry pedal, you get a Quartz.


The Quartz


So this pedals is as light as a EggBeater, so anything else? Well this thing amazes me cause this pedal is coil springless, you heard me correct, this pedal has no coil spring, so I wonder how are you going to be able to clip in. (This is a few reason why is it so light). By being coil springless it would mean that the float angle is going to be fix (Provided by bicycling.com, 3 degrees of float, 1.5mm of lateral movement, and a 15 degree release angle). In designing this pedals, Look said they has taken 3 criteria which is mud shedding, pedal platform and weight.


So how much is it going to be? Is it going to be expensive?


Look is offering 3 models for Quartz which are as follow:

  • Quartz Carbon Ti (Price: $399)(Weight: 246g w/ cleats)
  • Quartz Carbon (Price: $199)(Weight: 278g w/ cleats)
  • Quartz (Price: $99)(298g w/ cleats)

  • It will be available by October-November


    Just now was just the appetizer and now is the main course, Hardtail has slowly stop evolving and its getting less eye catching, many bike manufacturer stick with previous year designs and made no attempt it making it better, but Look havent give up in the hardtail market yet cause for 2008 they are also releasing their hardtail.


    Look 986 Hardtail


    As you can see from the pic, Look decided to go with integrated seatpost, which is very similar to what Scott has done with Spark LTD. The reason for this design is just the same as Scott for designing a integrated seatpost for Spark LTD, which is reduced weight. The frame weights at 1.2kg/2.65lbs (claimed). It is offered in Small, Medium and Large size and is priced at $2,499.


    The bike is also offered as a complete:


    986 X0 Pro Team

  • Rock Shox Reba Team w/ 85mm travel and remote lockout
  • Mavic CrossMax SLR
  • SRAM X0 trigger shifters and rear derailleur
  • Avid Juicy Ultimate disc brakes
  • FSA K-Force Light cranket
  • FSA stem and handle bars
  • Fizik Gobi saddle
  • Look Quartz carbon clipless pedals
  • weight: 9.5kg/21lbs w/ pedals
  • MSRP: $5,499

  • 986 X9

  • Components list no available yet, will update soon
  • MSRP: $4,499

  • The bikes will be available in late September - October


    Look's hardtail promo vid



    *Pic taken from BikeRadar.com.
    *Price listed are in USD


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