LOOK 566 – New Entry Level Road Bike Preview
Wednesday July 23rd, 2008 at 4:77 PM
Posted by: thien
- Compact Geometry
- Taller Head Tube
- Slightly Shorter Sloping Top Tube
- “X Design” Stays
- 1100 grams (medium)
- 5 Sizes – XS, S, M, L, XL
- Available in 2 colors (Black & Red, shown or Black & White)
- Frameset MSRP: $1999
- Full Rival Bike MSRP: $2499
- Full Ultegra SL Bike MSRP: $2999
The 566 is built for comfort, a bike that a rider can ride all day and not get beat up on, but at the same time remains efficient. Lateral efficiency is key in keeping the frame from flexing and making sure all power input from the rider is not lost in frame flexing, but rather going toward forward movement. The key also though is to make sure it’s vertically compliant as well, making the bike comfortable.
LOOK believes they have found this balance with the designed flattened seat stays, which act like leaf springs, giving a little bit of flex vertically for comfort. But because of how wide the stays are designed, it still remains laterally stiff. The same treatment was done to the chainstays, a feature LOOK is calling “X ST-SC”.
The carbon fork was also designed with the same characteristics in mind. Aiming for a little bit of vertical compliance to keep vibration at bay, but still laterally stiff as to not sacrifice anything in the cornering and handling department.
A 566 in size medium reportedly weighs in at just 1100 grams. With aesthetic looks like these, and the well designed stays in the rear triangle, the 566 should stand out on it’s own in an already distinguished brand line up.
Check out our video of the LOOK 566 on videos.roadbikereview.com!
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July 23rd, 2008 at 7:07 pm Nice looking bike, but too fancy for training…
Is there an alloy / alu version for this entry level from look ?
How much ?
July 24th, 2008 at 9:24 pm Beautiful!! Any info on geometry specs? The video mentioned a shorter TT and taller HT, is that relative to the 555? Also, I’m assuming the Rival version will be 2009 Rival? If so, @ $2499, this could be one of the best bang-4-the-buck bikes available, and from a renowned bike builder to boot!
July 24th, 2008 at 11:54 pm I updated the photo slide show with the geometry chart. The Rival version of the bike is the new ’09, and will be on the black and white frameset.
July 26th, 2008 at 2:40 pm surprisingly that bike looks like it should cost mucho more. I’m looking forward to reading a full review.
July 27th, 2008 at 7:46 am >>surprisingly that bike looks like it should cost mucho more. I’m looking forward to reading a full review.
Great comment! That’s exactly what I thought when I saw that frame in person. I thought it was their new $4k frame! There’s a lot of tube shaping and the finish is very nice
July 27th, 2008 at 10:37 am Is this replacing the 555? Also is the Rival only available on the white with the SL only on the red? I want a white one with Rival but my LBS is checking to see what kind of ship times we’re looking at. If it’s too long may end up going with the 555…
July 27th, 2008 at 2:32 pm Yes, this is the replacement for the 555. And it was my understanding that the white and black one would be available as a full bike with rival, and the red and black with ultegra SL. How firm they are on that, I’m not sure… but at just $500 more for the Rival, it’s a pretty sweet deal.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:28 pm When would this beautiful machine be abelable?
is there just frame sets?
August 11th, 2008 at 9:54 pm Well I must be honest that while it does look like a more expensive bike than the retail price, and is nice looking, I prefer the looks of the 2008 555, either the red or white of which I am a owner. If this is replacing the 555 then will you have to go up to the 585 in order to get a more racier geometry? I guess we’ll have to see.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:29 am That is an UGLY bike – marketing clowns gone crazy
August 12th, 2008 at 11:56 am Too bad the frameset is so overpriced compared to the complete bike. I like the looks and would like to do the build myself with a campy groupset. If the price was closer to $1200 for the frameset which I thing would be more reasonable compared to the complete bike, I would be tempted to order one.
Landau
August 16th, 2008 at 6:34 pm i just demo’d the look 555 today. i currently have a khs 6061 alum w/ 105 comps. the 555 seemed so smooth i wasnt sure about it. so then i took out a felt4 carbon -alum and wasnt to impressed. in the end i thought the 555 was much smoother, faster, an overall a better ride. the nude carbon look of the 07 frame was really sweet lookin’ also. price was 2800 with the ultegra components. they had an eddy mercyx with similar price range but campy centaur comps but didnt get a chance to ride it(red and black frame with with white lettering, dont know the model) any comments? later, paul t.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:02 pm it’s shame it isn’t made in france
September 5th, 2008 at 2:15 pm This looks great and I really like the white/black. The design would suit me fine as a more comfortable fast club ride bike, and given its looks and Look’s known customer service and support for their products I’d be very tempted to get it. But look at the wacked geometry: (http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=22906).
Why such a steep seat tube? The headtube is also really slack, but pared with a 43mm rake fork it would provide the higher trail/nicer stability I favor.
September 14th, 2008 at 5:14 pm Does anyone know what wheel sets will come with the Rival or the Ultegra grouppo?
September 16th, 2008 at 2:30 am I think the ultegra sl version is coming with fulcrum racing 5 wheels. I’m not sure about the rival, but i think the mavic ksyrium equipe wheels.
It could also be the other way around.. my LBS is looking into it.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm I have been looking for all info I can get on this bike, I found a website that is showing a Blue and White frame (http://www.bellatisport.com/shop/category/159/product/1071/Look_566_Origin.html), very unlike Look. Anyone know if this is true? If it is will it be available in the U.S.?
September 28th, 2008 at 4:08 pm I’m curious how this compares to the Cervelo RS, Trek Madone 5.2 and Look 586 for that matter. I need a taller head-tube geometry but these often are relegated to “entry-level” so you don’t get much snap under the pedals. I don’t want a spongier bike, but I have very long legs and don’t want to have the saddle so high above the bars. Roads here are terrible and at least the idea of vertical compliance is attractive.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pm Ben, may I suggest taking a Specialized Roubaix for a test ride if you haven’t yet. Not as boutique as Cervelo or Look, but the geometry and design may be a good fit for you. They do have a taller head tube and ride well over poorer roads. I don’t find them spongy at all, either.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:29 pm Wowzer. Been looking around, really liking the Specialized Tarmac in this range, but will definitely have to take a strong look at this one when it hits a dealer in Atlanta. If it rides like it looks, it may even get me up hills!
Coming from a current CAAD3, which I have ridden the hell out of, any of these newer bikes should be awesome.
It’s a smart move for Look, which for me, has always been an expensive boutique brand I wouldn’t have considered. I am considering it now!
December 4th, 2008 at 6:25 pm I did a build through my LBS with the Red/Black frame, SRAM Rival, FSA carbon bars/seat post, and Easton EA90 Aero wheels. Picking it up tomorrow morning. I am so psyched.
I test rode a floor model and was sold instantly.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:14 pm Picked mine up friday, it was a complete suprise present from my wife.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm The prices on here need to be updated.
the rival model should be $2699.99
and the Ultegra SL should be $3199.99
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 am The idea of flattening the seat stays and providing a tall head tube was done back on the Lemond Triomphe series of bikes from 2007-2008. As an owner of a 2007 Lemond Versailles, I must say this geometry works very well for me, a weekend warrior at 6’2″ with relatively long legs. The beefy bottom bracket keeps the acceleration very responsive, while the taller head tube gets the bars up to the perfect height without 2″ of ugly spacers. I also suspect that making the head tube taller rather than using spacers adds to the structural integrity of the bike. Steering feels solid, and it’s the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:42 pm I recently rode the 566, built with all SRAM Rival components, along with a few friends of mine. We each have a different background in cycling and were able to give some interesting perspectives on it. Personally, I thought it was great. Check out what everyone thought at bikerumor.com. http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/06/09/bikerumor-review-look-566-origin-road-bike/
June 11th, 2009 at 11:24 am I’ll give you a little background, I’m about 6’4″ and weigh 245 lbs, a bigger guy to say the least. Anyways I was looking to upgrade from my current Aluminum 105 roadie setup and take the next step, which for me was Carbon. I wanted to spend way less but after looking at the Cannondale Synapse 4, Scott Addict, Specialized Roubaix and Tarmac, i went with the Look 566. With that said I recently purchased this bike from the LBS and have to say after the 3 week wait to have it delivered, LOOK, USA was out in the XL and had to have it shipped from overseas, it was well worth it. I went with the white and black SRAM Rival setup and switched to some Mavic rims, I also upgraded the shifters to SRAM Red levers, well worth it for the extra money, and it really wasn’t that much more. Compared to all the other models i looked at this bike blew them away, it is fast and comfortable. The tarmac was nice but to aggressive for my type of long rides. The other models, felt too soft and slow, not the getup i still wanted. My maiden voyage was last weekend, we did 60 miles and it was great, I’d have to say i’m a good 2mph faster on this bike, with no difference in effort. I would recommend this bike to anyone considering you can do high mileage and still race it if you want, as they describe it, plus its gorgeous to look at. Also LOOK shipped me the 2010 model which i was told has gone up about $300 from the $2699 MSRP, they changed the paint job a bit but ultimately the same.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am Also looking at the Madone 5.2, the Felt F3SL and Felt AR4. I haven’t ridden the Look yet but the lack of internal cable routing on the top tube is a bummer, even though this bike is less expensive than the other 3 I mentioned.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:35 am wow “entry level” road bikes go for $2500 nowadays? nice lookin out for the workin’ stiff, Look!!
April 28th, 2010 at 2:53 pm Cool! I am impressed…nice looking bike.
May 31st, 2010 at 5:12 pm I just bought 6 for all of my friends…
WAT a steal..
June 3rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm @ Rick: \Too Fancy for training. Is there an aluminum version?\
Are you kidding? Have you read the description of the bike? The entire point of this bike was to offer recreational cyclists the opportunity to get into CARBON for the type of riding they tend to do–centuries, fitness training, the occasional club ride or CAT 4 race while keeping it affordable. The carbon stays and top tube have been flattened in areas that allow for flex and comfort that a strictly race frame don’t offer. An aluminum frame, even an alu front triangle would defeat the entire purpose of this bike.
I think labeling this an entry level bike is misleading. Most entry level road bikes are cheap, heavy, bikes perhaps with race geometry and graphics that do little to help average riders get the most of their ability. This bike is unique in that it is actually designed for the needs of the type of rider that will buy it, unlike many racer copies in this price range that hold their rider back with too aggressive geometry and inferior componentry. I have this bike but with Campy Record/Chorus and Mavic Ksyrium SLs. It is now a 15.5lb. machine and is the perfect bike for me. It does what I need it to do better than any other bike out there and leaves me nothing to want in my bike. The only limitation I have now is me.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:45 pm i looked @ this bike during the summer was 2,500 looked like a good deal but still a lot of money, just bought it last week @ realcyclist.com for 1,249 they then reduced it to 1,001 two days later and honored it, VERY HAPPY. Deal of the year.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:59 pm I have owned my LOOK 566 for 6 months after my previous bike being a Colnago C50, and honestly, I love the LOOK 566. The feel of the bike is very rigid and responsive and great looking in white & red with 50mm carbon wheels…westie from OZ…