Look 595 Ultra

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Big Bear Loop, CA

Bike Setup:
Dura ace groups and EAston Ascent wheels

Summary:
Fantastic DESCEND and Acceleration is not comparable with any other frame.

Strengths:
Stiff. all energy transferring to rear wheel. i have hit 31.5 MPH in even ground, which was never reached by Look 565 before.

Weaknesses:
Stiffness.. which may refer less shock absorption.. but RED elastomer below the seat works pretty good.

Similar Products Used:
Colnago Extrme power

Price Paid:  $4700.00 at Singapore

Favorite Ride:
2009 Look 595 Ultra

Bike Setup:
2009 Look 595 Ultra
2009 Dura Ace Gruppos
2009 Mavic Cosmic SLR Wheelset
Fizik k-1 Saddle
Itm K-Sword Handlebar
Itm 101 Stem (90mm)
Speedplay stainless steel pesals

Summary:
I would say, Look 595 ultra is more responsive and better in clinbing compare to my 2008 orbea orca.
also it is more lighter in weight compare to my orbea orca framset (frameset)..

Strengths:
I would say, orbea uses M40J & M30Shile Look 595 Ultra is HM carbon...
Eventually the orca is more stiff than Look 595 Ultra.

Weaknesses:
Nil

Similar Products Used:
2008 Orbea Orca

Price Paid:  $2850.00 at Look factory Nevers

Bike Setup:
Dura ace, ksyriums ES,

Summary:
ULTRA STIFF !!!!
This bike is very good on flat and fast rides but when it comes to climbing....it doesn't help: its stiffness penalises

Strengths:
Good for sprinters

Weaknesses:
Bad for climbers

Similar Products Used:
Look 585, Time VXRS Ulteam

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Price Paid:  $3700.00 at Excel Sports

Favorite Ride:
North Georgia Gap Rides

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 10 group (used black cable housing -- looks better with the Ultra), Easton EC90 stem, Easton Equipe bar, Ksyrium wheels, the new Fizik Aliante Carbon braided saddle, and speedplay pedals

Summary:
I considered both the standard 595 and the Ultra (UD carbon). I preferred the appearance of the Origin White 595 but because I'm 185lbs in weight, I decided to get the Ultra. Look indicates that the unidirectional carbon provides a wee bit of extra stiffness.

I built-up the bike myself with a Dura Ace 10 group (used black cable housing -- looks better with the Ultra), Easton EC90 stem, Easton Equipe bar, Ksyrium wheels, the new Fizik Aliante Carbon braided saddle, and speedplay pedals. The build was easy -- derailleur mounting a breeze, cable routing a cinch (rear brake housing runs with the cable internal to the top tube), fork/headset assembly a breeze (used all provided steer tube shims plus an extra 5mm shim before making my 1st cut -- I'll trim it down later when I get my bar height set correctly).

Before talking about cutting the seat tube I must mention that I started tweaking my riding position on my other bike 6 weeks before getting the Look 595 (it was exact before I received the 595). I also bought the new Aliante saddle before receiving the 595 installed it on my other bike and rode 3 separate rides with small adjustments to get the height and setback to match the other saddle (saddle rails differ in height and length from model to model). I was then able to get the target measurement for the Look 595 seat height (make sure you get your ride height and setback established correctly before you even think about cutting the seat tube). I then followed the instructions in the Look installation guide to make the cut (I made the cut 3mm shorter than the exact measurement taken from my other bike to avoid having to make a 2nd cut in the advent that I could not use the minimum 3-shim assembly recommended by Look). I made the cut and ….. damn …. exactly correct. The saddle height was exactly 3mm short of my ideal saddle height … so I just added the appropriate shim to compensate and the saddle height is perfect. I set the setback to match my other bike and set the saddle tilt for comfort. I must mention that setting the saddle tilt is a bit of a pain in the ass (compared to a 2 bolt design) but once it’s set, it’s set.

Okay, okay … enough of the build … let’s get to riding.

The Look 595 Ultra is … smooth … planted … extremely stable … tracks fantastically … amply stiff laterally … very comfortable … has a wonderful road feel. My other bike? It is a Colnago C50. So far, I feel that the Look 595 Ultra will surpass the riding and performance characteristics of my C50.

Regarding the Ultra vs the standard 595, functionally I’m glad I got the Ultra. I don’t feel the ride is harsh at all and the lateral stiffness is great for my weight. I still prefer the appearance of the Origin White 595 but that’s ok (it’s all subjective anyway).

So if you're in the market for a new frameset, this frame is FANTASTIC. If you like the Ultra appearance over the Origin White get the Ultra. If you're under 160lbs and prefer the Origin White, get that one. Point is the extra stiffness of the Ultra probably only becomes apparent to heavier riders.

If your worried about the integrated seat post/mast, there's no need to stress ... just get your riding position set up correctly on another bike outside on the road before you make that cut (not on a trainer indoors and not just a fit bike). The dynamic nature of riding on the road (cornering, uphill, downhill, road vibration, etc.) will yield a riding position that differs slightly from that attained on a fit bike or on a trainer.

Strengths:
light weight, lateral stiffness, vertical compliance, trick appearance, road feel (lively), quality design and assembly

Weaknesses:
Internal housing for derailleur cables is making a small vibration on rough pebbly road surfaces -- Look needs to find a way to keep the 2 cables separated in the down tube (I'll find a fix over time).

Similar Products Used:
too many to list