2010 LOOK '595 Ultra' Build Notes

2012-01-22 • SEND FEEDBACK •
Related: bicycle power meter, gear, Lightweight, Road Bikes, Shimano, SRM, Veloflex

The 595 Ultra frame was built up by stripping parts off one of my Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frames, keeping the cost down. I’ll likely sell that Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frame.

The LOOK 595 Ultra frameset requires external Shimano DuraAce DI2 cable routing, so it’s not as pretty as internal routing. Of course, if you use conventional shifters, then it’s cabled up as usual.

Weight

The frame and its parts were weighed before the build:

Frame with full length seat mast 1178.2 g
Fork full length steerer: 373.5 g
Headset 79.0 g
E-post complete 213.6g  less 38g when cut for me = 
= 1844.3g - 38g = 1803g

The frameset loses a little weight once the seat post is cut— 38g in my case.

I compared the built-up bike with the same wheelset, same Di2 build stripped from my Madone, etc. Accounting for a different handlebar and seat, with the Lightweight Obermayer wheelset with Veloflex Record tires:

Trek Madone 6.9 SSL: 14.15 pounds
LOOK 595 Ultra: 14.95 pounds

Add +0.15 pounds for Campagnolo skewers instead of Lightweight skewers

In short, the LOOK frame + post + fork is am whopping 3/4 of a pound heavier than the Trek Madone 6.9 SSL, when trimmed-out identically. It’s a surprisingly substantial difference, but the LOOK frame is simply a beefier frame and fork and post, and perhaps the 'Ultra' frame is also somewhat heavier than the regular frame.

Is the extra weight worth it? YES, the LOOK 595 Ultra delivers, my Trek Madone 6.9 SSL is just noodly in front, making me nervous on fast descents and anytime the front end hits bumpy pavement at speed. In my view, Trek degraded the handling by cutting out too much front-end strength.

Build notes

The cycling elves over at Palo Alto Bicycles built up my bike overnight, expertly. Palo Alto Bicycles gets the job done efficiently, they get it done right, I rely on their judgment and expertise. If you’re on the San Francisco mid-peninsula, it’s the shop to use, at least if you like Nice Stuff.

Derailleur hanger

Special caution is needed on the derailleur hanger: by design it bends easily, in order to protect the carbon frame. Be sure to obtain a spare derailleur hanger. I bent mine within one week by having the bike fall over the wrong way. I was able to bend it back just fine, but after 2 or 3 cycles of bending, it’s best to replace it.

Parts list

I don’t build bikes that can fail me— if the parts can’t take at least 2 years of hard use (10,000+ miles a year), then I don’t want that part on my bike.

• LOOK 2010 595 Ultra frame as shown below.
• Shimano DuraAce Di2 electronic shifting with 11-28 cassette.
• Shimano Yumeya chain.
  
• Shimano DuraAce brakes.
• Lightweight Ventoux or Lightweight Obermayer wheelset and Lightweight VR8 (I swap wheels, depending on the ride) with Veloflex Record tires.
• Shimano VIBE PRO carbon fiber handlebar (ultra stiff).
• Shimano PRO Vibe 7S OS Alloy road bicycle stem.
• Bontrager Affinity RXL saddle (might switch to Selle Italia in the future).
• SRM 7950 power meter crankset.
• Chris King ceramic bottom bracket.
• Shimano DuraAce pedals.
• King titanium water bottle cages bead-blasted by Moots.

LOOK 2010 595 Ultra frame
Shimano DuraAce Di2 electronic shifting
Lightweight Ventoux wheelset with Veloflex Record tires
Shimano PRO handleber with Bontrager XXX stem
SRM 7950 power meter crankset
Chris King ceramic bottom bracket
Shimano DuraAce pedals
King titanium water bottle cages