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When
designing a triathlon or time trial bike, hundredths
of a second can mean the victory or defeat. The
three main design characteristics of such a frame
are considered to be stiffness for pedaling
efficiency, comfort for overall fatigue reduction,
and aerodynamics for speed. The LOOK 596 achieves
stiffness and comfort with our own specific
proprietary carbon lay up and molding technique.
This specific process and “recipe” allows the frame
to be maximized in lateral stiffness in very
specific areas that do not sacrifice the overall
handling and comfort of the bike.
However
where this frame really sets itself apart from the
competition is in the aerodynamics. Our designers
have discovered that the entire industry is driving
TT frame design and development off of a perception
that no wheel gap is actually faster. On the
contrary, our frame is designed with a specific gap
between the rear wheel and the seat tube, whereas
all other designs are tucking the wheel closer and
tighter to the frame. Under static conditions where
the wheels are not spinning, no gap can be
advantageous. When the wheels are spinning, however
the gap is crucial to allow a cleaner exit path for
the rotational air that is coming off the spinning
wheel (please see the aerodynamics white papers).
This more accurate analysis of wind not only coming
from the front of the bicycle, but off the wheels
themselves is a critical factor to consider when
analyzing how to gain valuable time on a given
course. Additionally the frame’s aerodynamic tubeset
is designed as a complete unit, considering the
specific frontal air surface contact. The newly
designed Monodblade fork has been designed to
maintain as minimal frontal surface contact as
possible, while improving lateral stiffness that is
especially important in high speed cornering. Every
frame comes with two different length stems, which
when installed on our Monoblade fork, allows for
both vertical and angular adjustment.
The
integrated seat mast is a trim to fit system,
allowing for the cleanest top tube to seat tube
junction. And our inter-changeable E Post system
insures that the rider can specifically dial in
their personal riding position and vibration
dampening feel as precisely as possible.
The new
LOOK 596 also comes with our fully patented ZED one
piece carbon crankset (arms, bottom bracket spindle,
plus spider). It has the highest stiffness to weight
ratio in the industry, utilizing a proprietary 65mm
bottom bracket shell. The arms also utilize our new
Trilobe Titanium Keo pedal system, allowing the
rider to adjust the length of his cranks from 170mm
to 172.5mm to 175mm without changing cranks. The
spider is also drilled for both 110mm and 130mm
chainring diameters.
Get
used to seeing this frame. It’s brand new and it is
already the choice of the top athletes in the world.
Just ask Dave Scott, Laurent Jalabert, Luke Bell,
Luc Van Lierde, Thomas Hellriegel, Patrick Vernay,
and all of Credit Agricole what they think. |
