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Taipei bits 'n' bobs 1: Look, Fuji, Ferrari, & Spartacus

Niceties and monstrosities from the Taipei Cycle Show floor

I’ll leave the really fruity stuff for the next round-up post. So while you wait for big-hitter brands such as Ming and Strongman, feast your eyes on this little selection…

Look are reissuing their classic Benetton-designed, Mondrian-inspired jersey, though if I understood the importer correctly, this one is only for the Far East. It’s very possible I didn’t, though, so keep a look out. Actually, the team started off with La Vie Claire as headline sponsor, which is where most people remember it from. Look didn’t come in until 1988, but they’ve carried the branding through since. It’s also hinted at in their rather lovely 2012 bike range.

 

And talking of bikes, there were a few of the pimped-out flag range of 695s on display. Yes, we’ve reported on them before, but it’s worth reposting the Union Jack one, just to get on the Frenchies’ nerves.

 

Just one more Look. The 596 is a) teh sex, as internet slang goes, and b) interesting as it shows off Look’s obsession with proprietary stem, crank, seatpost technology. Has anyone ever ridden these exotic bits 'n' bobs? We’d love to know what they’re like (yep, time to ask again - ed).

 

Trek had a Madone on its stand done up in Fabian Cancellara’s Spartacus paint job, probably to show off the capabilities of their Project One design system. It’s a very pretty thing… and imagine how much quicker you’d ride if you could look down at the top tube and see ‘Spartacus’ written there. OK, probably not much, but you get what I mean.

 

Prize for the largest bottom bracket I saw went to Fuji’s Altimira. This bike is being ridden by Geox this year, and very handsome it looked in this paint job. Here it was built up with Ultegra Di2 and Rotor chainrings.

 

Finally, a monstrosity. On the Komda (“Your best OEM/ODM partner” - basically, they build you stuff) stand, a Ferrari bike. And you thought the Colnago Ferraris were garish. Bear in mind this isn’t some dodgy knock-off: it’s officially licensed product. Who at Ferrari thought this was a good idea? The mind boggles. Yeurgh.

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bushman | 12 years ago
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I have a Look 595 with the integrated seatmast (4 1/2 hours in sunny Northumberland today) and have ridden both the 695 and the TT bikes. The integrated stuff works very well with the chainset being a particualarly clever design allowing the running of compact and conventional rings. Not all rings fit well though. If you are happy with the integrated kit they are great, if you want to fit your own cranks or stem they are not so great. It can be done but its a faff and expensive, the frames arent supplied without cranks for example. We have at least two 695s coming to our demo day on sunday at Bicycle Repair Man if you want to ride one!

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road ronin | 12 years ago
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look like their bike design is as good as the F1 car design  4

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spasypaddy | 12 years ago
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im fortunate enough to own and ride a Look 695, the stem, seatpost and cranks are phenomenal. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have

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shot18 | 12 years ago
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The Ferrari needs a mudguard to finish off the back end!  4

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