First spotted at last summer’s Tour de France being ridden under the auspices of the Pro Continental team, Bretagne Seché Environment, and later unveiled at the 2015 Eurobike Show, LOOK’s 796 MONOBLADE time trial bike, has been eking its way into the marketplace.
Boasting 12 years of development in the area of aerodynamic integration, the new 796 not only incorporates 100% of its cabling internally, it features some of the boldest, yet minimalist tubes profiles ever observed.
Indeed, the fuselage involves one of the most minuscule steerers and low-slung headsets ever designed, not to mention a mostly flat head tube with nary enough aerodynamic profiling for it to cheat the wind.
In addition, the 796 uses a unique seat mast design, wherein a sleeve slides over a raised seat tube. From there, seat height adjustments are made using a series of 1mm spacers, which fit directly under the saddle clamp. Moreover, the sleeve can be “flipped” in order to change the saddle’s fore and aft – offset position.
Additionally, the 796 utilizes LOOK’s new Aeroflat handlebar, which uses a riser style system which can be flipped up or down at +/-25mm, via a top cover plate that runs the length of the stem.
Also, the 796 uses Shimano’s rear, direct mount caliper brake set-up, which is located under the bottom bracket.
Lastly, the 796 also features LOOK’s all new ZED3 Aero full carbon, one-piece crankset.
The new crankset now incorporates both left and right crank arms, along with the spindle, into one entire piece. Furthermore, the crank arms* use LOOK’s Trilobe inserts, which allow for three different crank lengths, by simply rotating them. Another key feature is, the bearings no longer need to be removed during installation or removal, and the spider is compatible with both 110 and 130 chainrings.
*available in a total of nine lengths: 155/157.5/160 – 162.5/165/167.5 – 170/172.5/175.
According to LOOK, the 796 weighs in at 1,350g for a size small, and the range topping Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Mavic Cosmic equipped model retails for around $17,000.
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Technologies
• AERODYNAMISM REACHES NEW HEIGHT
Look invented the offset fork in 1990. The 196 launched in 1991 has been adapted and improved over the years to become the fantastic L96, the velodrome formula 1.
This system, which permits a very fine steering and fork assembly has often been copied by attentive fellow makers with variable success.
The objective of company research over the last few years was to create a new standard retaining the advantages of the offset fork whilst improving some negative points of this system.
An objective that is perfectly obtained by the 796, which represents all the Look values: vision, daring, perseverance and technological mastery. The front view of the 796 is arresting: How did they arrive at this extreme finesse?
The fork and bicycle assembly fuses into a blade that appears to cut effortlessly through the air.
This has not been very simple to achieve but the 796 Monoblade is there and definitely merits its name.
The 796 Monoblade brings together numerous innovations pushing integration to its highest. The frame (in very high modulus carbon and ultra light 1.5K carbon layers) and its components have been developed together to optimise their compatibility and their penetration coefficient.
LOOK has involved aerodynamicists in all stages of development of the frame and its accessories and validated all its innovations in a digital and physical wind tunnel to bring you the last word in aerodynamic terms.
• TRIATHLON / TIME TRIAL BIKE
The 796 is the ultimate weapon for all competitions where aerodynamics preponderate, such as triathlon or time trials.
Through the development of adjustable components, the 796 Monoblade succeeds in adapting to both these disciplines, which nevertheless require different positions for the cyclist:
The reversible handlebar permits 2 starter heights; the arm rests and extensions can be adjusted in height, depth, separation and geometry.
Two reversible seat clamps are available (long head or short head) permitting a wide range of saddle angle adjustment (see table below)
The ZED 3 crankset allows 9 crank lengths, from 155 mm to 175 mm. This special feature will delight triathletes or time trial cyclists wishing to reduce crank length for certain competitions.
• INTEGRATION
For a dozen years, LOOK has chosen to develop its own components in conjunction with its frames. The result is a consistent, optimised, aerodynamic assembly giving the best response to your needs. The 796 Monoblade includes a record number of adjustable components: ZED3 crankset, AEROPOST seatpost, AERO FLAT STEM stem, AEROFLAT BAR reversible handlebar and MONOBLADE fork with integrated brakes… LOOK is currently the only one possessing the experience and know-how necessary to offer you such an accomplished set.
• 1 – NEW 100 % CARBON AERO ZED 3 CRANKSET
The new version of the ZED crankset retains all the advantages of its predecessor (unequalled weight/stiffness ratio, the monobloc design giving it its Z shape, trilobe technology to vary the crank length) whilst being more aerodynamic.
This new model is available in three sizes to adapt to all body shapes and all uses. For greater easy of use it is no longer necessary to remove the bearings during removal.
• 2 – NEW AEROPOST INTEGRATED SEATPOST CONCEPT
The new seatpost developed for the 796 provides comfort, performance and modularity. It comprises 3 parts: a clamp ‘’corner’’ on the frame, a seat tube (to be cut to length) and an interchangeable seatpost head. This new system avoids cutting the frame and is easy to assemble/disassemble. The seatpost head allows a wide range of offset adjustments, and the saddle height can be very finely adjusted using 1 mm thick spacers (> 12 mm max.)
Like the other LOOK integrated seatposts, the AEROPOST includes an elastomer that filters out vibrations to improve the cyclist’s comfort.
• 3 – NEW AERO FLAT STEM INTEGRATED SEAT POST
THE AERO FLAT STEM has been designed to be in perfect alignment with the horizontal tube.
It comprises 2 parts: a bottom part, which surrounds half the steerer tube and a top part that can sandwich the bar. The cross section of the link between the stem and the bar is flat so as to offer the finest possible aero attack edge. This very special design also increases the lateral stiffness of the cockpit whilst retaining a certain vertical flexibility that improves comfort. Cable housing and electrical harness routing is completely integrated: they pass into the bar, then into the stem and, for the front brake, into the steerer tube.
• 4 – NEW REVERSIBLE INTEGRATED CARBON AEROFLAT BAR
With its AERO FLAT STEM the 796 Monoblade accepts a carbon LOOK AERO FLAT BAR handlebar specifically developed to offer a wide range of adjustment to permit you to achieve the most comfortable position.
Beyond the aesthetics provided by its perfect integration, it guarantees rigidity and stable steering for optimum riding accuracy.
The ‘’starter’’ part of the bar is reversible and allows 2 heights variable by 50 mm to be offered. The elbow rests and extensions are also height adjustable, from 0 to 80 mm every 5 mm, using a carbon extension called the ‘’bridge’’, available for triathlon oriented positions. The Bridge also includes a support for fixing a bottle between the triathlete’s arms. 2 types of extensions are available: straight or curved.
• 5 – NEW MONOBLADE FORK AND INTEGRATED BRAKES
The new MONOBLADE fork has a revolutionary design that flows from two major patented LOOK innovations. The first is its ultra-fine through steerer tube, a technical feat, which has been reduced to 19 mm diameter for a head tube only 25 mm wide (the min. authorised by the UCI)!
This solution allows the aerodynamics to be retained in all conditions in contrast to the traditional offset fork. In the event of extreme shock, in an accident for example, a safety stop is provided between the fork and the frame. During major deformation of the fork this «supports itself» on an area provided for this on the frame.
Second innovation, the AEROBRAKE 2 integrated brake. Located in the centre of the fork arm, in a window shaped housing, the stirrup disappears completely into the fork to provide the best possible aerodynamics.
The rear brake is to the SHIMANO DIRECT MOUNT standard, it is ocated under the chainstays and so presents integrated cable routing passing into the down tube and under the bottom bracket.
• 6 – CABLES AND HOUSINGS 100 % INTEGRATED
So that nothing should compromise the bike’s aerodynamics, all the cables and cable housings are routed internally, passing within the handlebar, stem and frame. No cable housing is visible from outside.
Look 796 MONOBLADE
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