Look KG 381i

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Total Cycling

Favorite Ride:
big rollers

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace 9sp, Kysirium SSLs,Kestrel bar, Deda Newton stem, Speedplay pedals, Flite Trans Am saddle

Summary:
I've got about 14000 mi. on this frame. It still feels like new. This is the bike that made me hang up my Merlin Extralite. It's very precise, with good road feel. Even with my 185lbs. it's plenty stiff. Love the geometry.

Strengths:
Great laid back geometry. Precise but preditable. Good firm ride and road feel

Weaknesses:
A tad heavy, but for a ride this good it's forgivable. Things that are glued on tend to fall off.

Similar Products Used:
Merlin Extralite, Spectrum steel, Klein Quantum, Kestrel KM40

Price Paid:  $12.00 at undisclosed alley

Favorite Ride:
This bike!!!

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace, Mavic Ksyriums SL, Easton 90 Stem and Bars. Look Ergo Post, Flite SLR, Richey Pro Logic Pedals.

Summary:
If I were musically inclined, I'd write a song about this freak of nature bike. Unfortunately, my Lemond and Fondriest have been retired to the trainer and to the garage and do little but gather dust. This is a FAST bike, plain and simple. Stiff and compliant, I have absolutely no performance complaints about this ride. Some complain about the stiffness of the fork adding to road vibration being transferred to hands, but carbon stem and bars have virtually eliminated this. One guy on my team likes the bike so much he is dumping his Litespeed!!!!

Strengths:
Solid ride, responsive and absolutely no waggle or bend in this sucker. Climbs fast and solid in the turns.

Weaknesses:
A bit heavy for a bike of this price, but not unbearably so. White decals easily discolored or peeled, but all superficial.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing I have ridden compares.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at JT Cycles

Favorite Ride:
LOOK 318i

Summary:
Ordered in March 03, due 25th april - arrived 3rd June.
Rode it 7 times (yes 7!) and broke the joint between the seat tube and the bottom bracket!
LOOK have shrugged their corporate shoulders and have ignored it.
So no bike to ride this year and LOOK don't give a monkey's

Strengths:
I don't know, didn't have it long enough to find out!

Weaknesses:
Costs far more than you or I should ever consider paying for!
I have the photographs if anyone wants to see them. email smn.fcc@lineone.net

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Jenson USA

Favorite Ride:
Upper Montgomary County MD

Bike Setup:
Dura-ace set-up, Mavic Ksyrium SSC's, Michelin Pro Racer, Look 397 pedals, Deda Newton Bar and Magic Stem. Stella Italia Flite Gel Seat

Summary:
First recognize that any reviewer will be reluctant to admit any weaknesses in a new bike purchase after they've sunk significant disposable income into a new bike. Having said that, the Look KG 381i is not a typical carbon fiber bike. Another reviewer likened it more to a steel bike and I would have to agree. The ride quality is smoother then my reliable Serotta Atlanta, but unlike other carbon fiber bikes I've been on, your not insulated from the road. In fact the fork on the Look communicates the surface you ride on and provides accurate feedback as to the road coditions. In some ways it's analagous to a fine sports car. The ride is smooth and subtle but your hands always are getting an accurate feel for the road. Now is that good or bad?. My experiance is that once you're on the road the KG 381i disappears underneath you and your focus is on the riding not the ride, and to me that's good.

As to specific ride characterisitcs, the bike is a wonderful climber and steers very accuratly. Since the wheelbase can be adjusted I had my LBS move it from 40.5 cm to 41.0 to provide more stability, but I'm not sure that a 1/2cm makes that much of a difference. In any event the bike steers true and accuratly even when I hit bad patches of road. As for ride quality it is an elegant compromise between the "dead" feel of some carbon bikes and the livley feel of steel. You're comfortable but yet aware of the road underneath you. Lastly the bike is unique, you won't find them all over the road and if you're willing to give up on the upgraded finishing on the "03" model you can find a good deal on "02" framesets. (The price I posted was for the Frame and Fork only)

Strengths:
Excellant climber. quick, responsive, good compromise between carbon and steel rding characteristics, comfortable, smooth, unique.

Weaknesses:
Not for a rider looking for a traditional carbon bike feel. Although the frame smooths out the ride the fork does transmits road surface input to your hands, not in a bad way but you know the type of surface your on.

Similar Products Used:
Serotta Atlants, Trek 5200, Giant OCR Composite.

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at JensonUSA

Favorite Ride:
Coast Hwy

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace drivetrain w. Ultegra cogs and hubs, DA shifters Look post, 3T bar and stem, Ultegra calipers Speedplay pedals

Summary:
Built the bike to replace a frame damaged in car accident (Ouch). Very good attention to detail in manufacture of this frame. everything fits perfectly, alignment is spot on. This is my first carbon bike, after riding mostly steel frames. It is much closer to the feel of my steel bikes than to the aluminum bikes I have ridden. Bike has a firm and solid feel on the road. Vibration simply disappears. I am a 150 lb rider and can't flex the frame no matter how hard I mash pedals. Euro Geometry and long top tube make for a very comfortable and stable ride. With dura ace drivetrain the bike just runs silent and smooth. I'm loving it.

Strengths:
High quality construction, good attention to detail, Look top cap and expander bolt is top notch perfect for carbon steer tube.

Weaknesses:
Not a super light, but who cares, it is one fine ride.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez Pro, Torrelli steel frame, Medici steel frame