Look

The Look G85 really surprised me in how it rides. Given the slack head tube angle, I was worried that it would feel sluggish but instead its very responsive without being twitchy. I needed a more relaxed geometry than what many of the more race oriented gravel bike provide (more upright and less stretched out) and this bike provides that but the reduced chainstay length keeps it more agile than expected. The transverse stiffness is excellent for getting the power down but somewhat less compliant vertically than my previous Ti bike - perhaps an Ergon seatpost may be in my future. Tire clearance will easily accommodate 50mm, more on the front. The Sram Force 13sp UDH shifts noticeably more quickly than the previous generation 12sp. The handlebar shape is ideal for me with flat tops and a reasonable spread. Its also nice that the crankarm length and handlebar width are more sensible for the bike size (170mm & 42mm respectively for a size large). Overall, this is a great bike at a fair price. Oh yeah, the paint looks awesome as well!

As a cyclist with decades of experience on clipless pedals, I wanted to love the LOOK X-One-G Max. From a performance standpoint, they deliver exactly what they promise: they are incredibly lightweight, provide a rock-solid platform, and the power transfer is outstanding.However, they lack the convenience of a quick clip-in. Because the mechanism is single-sided, the pedals don't rest in a consistent position when you stop. If you are at a crossroads or a stoplight, you'll find yourself fumbling and flipping the pedal over to find the right angle to lock in. If you do any urban riding, commuting, or casual cycling, these are not for you. They are a purebred race pedal. For everyday ease of use, you are much better off sticking to a traditional double-sided system.

I have been a long, longtime user of Look pedals primarily for their "freer feeling" float versus Shimano, which my now-funky left knee demands. For years I fussed with their removable cleat covers in order to preserve the life of the cleats. Look finally offered walkable versions with anti-slip pads; however, those proved to lack durability and required changing out far more frequently than Shimano. The latest version promises smoother action and much greater durability. I am eager to find out if the claims are true. I am currently on my last pair of cleat-covered, and as soon they wear out I will be giving the new ones a go. Stay tuned for a follow up.

I've been riding EggBeaters on my mtb and gravel bikes since the day they were first released because of the generous float they provided that gave my funky left knee the relief it demanded. However, the common complaint with CBs was the lack of solid platform and the connected, locked-in feeling that you got from SPDs. That larger, solid platform was immediately noticeable on these new Looks. Entry and exit feels exactly like Shimano. Alas, my finicky knee demanded more float than these offered; hence, I sold them to a friend. He loves them!