Look to offer complete bikes in 2012

French carbon-fibre builder Look will be offering a limited number of its frames as complete builds starting in 2012.

They've been available for years as frames only for self-builds or having your friendly workshop spec you your perfect choice of parts but from next year there will be a further option in having Look send a factory-built complete bike to your dealer.

There will be three options: a 566 frame built up with Shimano 105 for £2,199, the new 586UD based on Ultegra for £2,799 and a flagship model based on the amazing 695 which we previewed in detail last Eurobike with top-spec SRAM Red, Zipp 'bars and Zipp 404 carbon clinchers for £6,999.

All the other frame models as well as these ones will continue to be available individually and we foresee that the great majority of sales will continue to be made this way. However, if you're thinking of using Shimano 105 or Ultegra, anyway (and why wouldn't you, we'll throw in just to get a rise from the Campagnolo fans?), you'd be hard pressed to beat the price and it does save a lot of grief for you and/or your bike shop.

Our Mat reviewed the Look 585 Optimum predecessor to the new 586UD back in July last year and summarised, "Overall, the Look simply works. You can get lighter bikes, you can get stiffer bikes, and you can get more comfortable bikes. But the Look's strength is that it scores highly on all three making it a very strong all-round package. For sportive-type riding – long rides where comfort really counts – it's a winner."

Details: www.lookcycle.com