One of the biggest surprises at the Sea Otter was the debut of the Look 986 Mountain Bike. Look hasn’t sold a mountain bike in the U.S. in at least 5 years. And this wasn’t just a bike. This was pretty special.
It’s an ultra-high end carbon bike with an integrated seatpost. The frame weighs in at 2.6 lbs with an uncut seatpost. The frame features very dramatic big carbon tubes for dramatic design elements. It was also designed to be very stiff laterally but compliant vertically.
And of course the most revolutionary element on this frame is the integrated seatpost. This design was introduced in the Look 595 road bike and has been in the market for almost a year. The frame as a post designed into the frame. This post is designed to be cut according to the rider’s height and preferencs. Then a seapost insert goes in the post and is locked on by compression rings. There is a few millimeters of up and down adjustability using spacers in the seatpost insert. The insert also features and elastomer stack that provides some bump compliance. Two densities of elastomers are provided to work with different rider weights.
Availability is end estimated at end of 2007. Price has not yet been determined.
May 2nd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
That is pretty sweet. I’m not sure about an integrated seatpost on a mountain bike, though. I would think even the most conservative pro XC racers would want an inch or so of adjustability, depending on the course. Not that they’d want to adjust it during the race. But a more technical course might make a racer want to compromise a little on leg extension. It’s a sexy bike, though. And it’s about time that Look made a mountain bike. I want to see a bigger picture, Francois!
May 8th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
There is 40 mm of adjustment. That is a fair amount - not huge, but probably enough for what would be required.
May 24th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
This bike is so sweet!!! Look’s booth was in the far corner of the expo area, but when I finally saw it I just stared and drooled for 10 minutes plus. The prettiest hardtail to come around in a long time!
May 24th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
What about crashing? Often the saddle is twisted when a crash impact on the saddle turns the seatpost. This design (although really hot-looking) doesn’t look like it allows for this. Thus, any crash impact on the saddle may stress the integrated seatpost & potentially damage it.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
man you guys are gawking over this thing like its never been done before, the scott spark ltd has it and its been out for a bit now. check it out.
later days
May 24th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
It´s a cool looking bike, the style is great but how much does it weight? We need complete specs, Francois.
May 24th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Sweet is definitely the word for this bike. I like the way that Look has taken a page from Scott (spark) and used an integrated seatpost to conserve weight. As for adjustability I’ve been running the same Cannondale for a few years now and once I found the sweet spot I’ve never adjusted the height. However, the old saying is true… measure twice cut once!
May 27th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
it’s look nice and very agresive styke but, i think that is more ligthweight without disc brake.the integrated seat post is a delicated issue!! i need a test ride,ja ja ja…
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
that’s such a sweet mountain bike. it has a wierd shaped frame but looks like it would go really fast in the cross-country division.