I bought the all black version in 2006. At that time it was the top frame of the brand. It is a heavy frame when compared with other carbon frames, about 1500 grams, plus another 380 grams for the fork, but it is beautiful. After about three and half years it developed a crack on the top of the head tube, even though I never let it drop or had any accident with it. I went to the local store where I bought it and was told the warranty was 3 years and that they could not do anything for me. I am really very upset with both the local store, Veloprof, and with the brand LOOK.
Strengths: Very smooth, stable, and an efficient energy conversion machine... I won't see myself coming and going, like so many Trek owners do, and there are not many bikes that can hold a candle to it's pretty face...
Weaknesses: The frame is something of a sail and is subject to strong cross-winds... As Jan once said, I was skating like Katarina Witt!! Holy Smoke -- too much excitement when descending very large hills...
Bottom Line:
I had been lusting after a Look KG486 for quite some time, when I had an opportunity to pick up a new frame for not a lot of cash... It took me another twelve months to buy all the requisite components to turn it into the bike I have today...
The reviews all comment on the weight of the frame, but as I am 187-lbs I figured a few hundred grams were not going to influence my cycling fun a whole lot. Besides, I believed (and correctly so) that the lateral stiffness of the frame might more than overcome the added weight 'penalty'.
I've ridden three > 50 mile rides, over some significant hills/mountains, and I am more than pleased with the efficiency of the frameset... It does seem as if all cranking energy is converted to forward speed. My other bike is a Salsa Campeon, and the Look seems to climb better. Interestingly enough, when equipped with virtually the same group, the Look is almost 1-1/2 lb lighter than the SC/AL Salsa... Where the 486 really shines is smoothness, and is this baby ever smooth!! it almost feels slower because it is so silky, but I know it isn't...
Similar Products Used: Salsa Campeon, Lemond Zurich
Bike Setup: 2004 KG486
Dura Ace all around (I converted back from a compact R700 crankset)
Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL
Specialized Seat Post
Thomson Stem
Crank Bros Quattro Pedals
Terry Zero Y seat
12-27 cassette... (for hills, hills and more hills)
ITM Wing Bars (AL)
Strengths: Looks, shaping, stiffness, responsivness, speed, wow-factor and absolutely amazing power transfer
Weaknesses: Tight geometry, so not a super comfortable century bike burt not bad. Heavier than the 585, but also a lot more aerodynamic. The responsivness requires a lot more attention than on other bikes, turn even slightly and the bike will follow. But for snappy response and sharp artistic good looks...it can't be beat!
Bottom Line:
Wow....
Looks, stiffness, aerodynamics and lightweight. Snapy, tight, and fast as anything. Super (if not slightly to...)responsive in turns. Great for racing, TT, Crits, Tri. I bought this becuase I wanted soemthing light but with a bit more aerodynamics. I sacrificed a bit of weight for the shaped tubing and aero profile, but less than on other manufactureers aero fram styles. Built up with a super lightweight combo of FSA, Dura Ace and Mavic, ut looks amazing and soars uphills and in the flats.
Favorite Ride: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird Utah
Purchased At: Pro Order
Similar Products Used: Salsa, Cannondale, LOOK, Pinnarello,
Bike Setup: Shimano Dura Ace groupo, FSA KForce light crank, FSA OS stem, K-Force carbon seatpost, K-wing Carbon bar, Look Keo Ti pedals, San Marco Aspide Composite saddle
Hi Guys,
I am in the process of collecting parts for a Look KG486 I am building. Based on the geometry of my curretn bike, and that of the 486, I expect I'll be requiring ~15cm Read More »
I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has ridden a Look KG486.
I have a KG486 (with HSC5SL fork) on order and will be building it up with Record, '05 Mavic Cosmic Carb Read More »
Hi Everyone,
I posted the below on the main components board, but have just remembered that there is a dedicated Look board too, so what better place to ask...
I'd be very in Read More »
I posted some time ago asking for opinions on the Look KG486 and Cosmic Carbones. Anyway, I went ahead and bought the bike a week ago. Had to wait until today for the weather to cl Read More »
Well, it took 2 years, but I finally got this thing built the way I want. It started out as a road bike that I modified for time trials as needed. When it became clear that I was Read More »
