Look has launched its latest bike, the new model 765 Optimum, which replaces the current bike of the same name. According to Look, though, the bike has been entirely resdesigned.
It’s an endurance-oriented bike that Look says balances rigidity with long distance comfort, with new geometry that’s less racy and provides larger tyre clearance, a T47 bottom bracket and integrated cabling that’s easy to maintain.
There will be four full builds in the range and two frameset options, with prices starting from EUR2,150 / $2,400.
New, less aggressive geometry
Look describes the new 765 Optimum as an evolution of its endurance bike platform, but it has actually redesigned the new bike completely.
The brand says that the new design’s geometry is less aggressive than its previous models, so that the new 765 Optimum is better suited for longer rides on the rough road surfaces that are a fact of life for many riders.
All-season rideability has also been increased by the provision of mudguard mounts, with Look introducing its own mudguards in early 2023, designed specifically for the bike.
Look says that a major part of the redesign has been to incorporate ultra-high strength carbon fibre, along with a frame design that uses the brand’s 3D Wave shapes in the seatstays, which Look says help absorb shocks and increase traction and control.
The new layup is said to ensure road vibrations are absorbed more efficiently than with previous materials, and it allows the new 765 Optimum to offer 20% more compliance than the outgoing model.
At the same time, Look has changed to a T47 bottom bracket. T47 has the size advantages of a pressfit system, accepting 30mm diameter crank spindles and allowing wide bearing compatibility.
It provides a threaded bearing interface though to avoid the creaking and alignment issues that can arise with pressfit systems.
T47 is a bottom bracket standard that is rapidly gaining in popularity, appearing in the latest Gen 7 Trek Madone and the Moots Vamoots CRD among recent launches. Look says that it has used T47 as it’s light, reliable and provides ultra-efficient power transfer.
Another trend that Look has embraced is wide tyre clearance, in this case up to 34mm. It’s also added integrated cabling to the new bike, with a system where the cables enter the frame’s top tube underneath the stem, which allows the bars and stem to be removed while keeping the brake hoses in place.
The new 765 Optimum is one of several new moves by the famous French bike brand which also recently announced that it will be the bike sponsor to the Cofidis WorldTour pro team, elbowing out De Rosa in a multi-year deal starting in 2023.
Look will also supply bikes for the Cofidis women’s and paracycling teams. The teams will use wheels from Look’s Corima brand and, of course, Look pedals.
Look 765 Optimum specs and prices
Look will offer five spec levels for the new bike at prices from EUR3,790 / $4,300 up to EUR6,290 / $7,300. There’s also a frameset-only option in two colours.
The new Look 765 Optimum is available in five sizes from XS to XL, with Look quoting a frame and fork weight from 1,400g.
Full specs and UK prices weren’t available at the time of launch, but the builds on offer are as follows:
Shimano Ultegra 2×11-speed: EUR3,790 / $4,300Campagnolo Chorus 2x12-speed: EUR3,990 / $4,600SRAM Rival eTap 2x12-speed: EUR4,690 / $5,500Shimano 105 Di2 2x12-speed: EUR5,390 / $6,400Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12-speed: EUR6,290 / $7,300Frameset only: EUR2,150 / $2,400
Look has produced some game-changing bikes over the years. Take a look at the brand’s classic bike collection