Look 765 Optimum+ £2,999 | 9.31kg

Of the pantheon of iconic bike brands, there should be little debate as to whether or not Look is a member. From its Piet Mondrian-inspired logo to the invention of clipless pedals and early carbon-fibre frames, Look’s impact on the cycling industry is hard to overstate. The 765 Optimum+ constitutes Look’s endurance platform, designed to offer both comfort and control over long distances. It’s a package that packs quite a number of surprises, so let’s get stuck in.

Frame

Naturally, Look is highly proud of its “30 years of ‘made in France’ carbon expertise”, with the 765 Optimum+ reaping the results. At the rear, flattened, ‘3D Wave seatstays’ are designed to flex and soak up vibrations through the increased vertical compliance while retaining the lateral stiffness of the frame.

Perhaps curiously for an