How Much Have Carbon Bikes Changed? | Retro Vs Modern

Earlier this year, Look launched their latest and greatest bike, the Blade 795 RS. We’re going to take a close look at it, and take it for spin, but not without contrasting it with the first carbon bike to win the Tour de France, the Look KG86.

In association with Look.

Look have kindly supplied us with this iconic bike, to allow us to compare carbon bikes from the first to the very latest generation. And no, it’s not Lemond’s own bike, but it is cut from the same cloth, almost literally, with its knitted carbon tubes, produced by TVT that Look then bonded in to alloy lugs. The history buffs among you will point out that Lemond won on Campagnolo kit, this has a rather rare Mavic groupset instead. To really see the difference that 32 years of engineering evolution has made, we’ll need to go for a ride...

When you think about that makes a bike “good”, price, weight, reliability, stiffness, comfort, and aerodynamics all spring to mind. Which of those that matter most to you depends on what kind of riding you enjoy. In this context, it’s got to be about speed. As the winner of the Tour de France, this was arguably the fastest bike in the world 32 years ago.

With the benefit of modern technology we’ll be able to measure. Or we almost would. On one of these two bikes we’ll be able to tell you exactly how much power we’ll need to put out in order to ride at a certain speed thanks to a very swanky new Look/SRM power meter. On the other, well we were reminded that old bikes require different pedals axle diameters. Not just different, these are the original clipless pedals, Look PP65/PP75, but the main problem about riding fast is that it’s a museum piece.

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Watch more on GCN...

Music: Xilo - Vvano
Our Jam (Instrumental Version) - Da Tooby
Silhouette (Young Community Remix) (Instrumental Version) - Cacti
Smashing Punks 12 - Stefan Netsman
Under The Same Stars (Instrumental Version) - Flickering
Moving Strong - Uygar Duzgun
The Whistle Song (Instrumental Version) - Anders Bothén
What You Saying (Instrumental Version) - Snake City (1)
Slamming Stoners 7 (Sting) - Victor Olsson
Blue Texas Trucker 1 (Sting) - Victor Olsson
Rock The Young 2 (Sting) - Sven Karlsson

About GCN:

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Thanks to our sponsors:

Leave us a comment below!

[gcn]

Do you have a vintage beauty in your stable?

[mattparsons]

“I’ve brought another bike, LOOK” nice

[TheCatwhisper]

Oli and Si my favourite two GCN presenters !! love the presentation style, script and

[l]

I was 12yrs old watching Greg Le Monde racing the tour in 86 and every night after watching the highlights on tv I'd jump on my 12spd Raleigh Equipe and head out for a couple of hours riding pretending I was one of the greats, good memories☺

Of course these days with work and modern life I'm no longer as carefree or fit as I'd like to be but the fire still burns albeit much dimmer.

[amfinc]

Wow, this video makes me feel a bit silly for all the work I've put into my 1990's Specialized Epic carbon and aluminum lug frame. However, one thing to consider is the cost of vintage carbon. I aquired the complete bike with 105 kit (minus a front derailleur and a wonky rear sti shifter) for $50.00. Since then, I've converted back to downtube shifters. Shifters are now carbon, seatpost is now carbon, Brooks carbon seat, NOS Shimano 600 AERO stem and 600 derailleurs. FSA carbon cranks with dura ace rings. Diacompe 900TI brakes with Ashima carbon cartridge pads. Tektro carbon reverse brake levers. Re-laced the 105 hubs and mavic rims with double butted spokes, but I have carbon clincher wheels on order. I'd say I've spent about $1300 in total on the bike including a set of continental gatorskin tires, deep drop zoom aluminum bars and welgo pedals. A bit of a "hot rod classic" that I use for neighborhood time trial laps. If you guys would like to see my bike and the progress I've made with it, I'd be happy to send photos for your "Nice or Really Nice" bike review section. Thanks for the great content, I just discovered these videos and I've been impressed with the knowledge and production quality.

[daydreaming_aristocrat]

2:50 GCN is slowly turning into the Top Gear of bicycles.

[alejandro.shot]

Both presenters are great, but I just couldn't imagine anyone doing a better job than Simon. Thanks GCN!

[Evan-zjmt]

With Si on this one, the new bike is super cool. Every road bike before carbon was basically the same, only differentiated by its paint job. Modern bikes are amazing and anything that gives me more speed and comfort, and therefore greater range, has got to be good in my book.

[Scobebo]

whoever is in charge on the music.. please creat a spotify playlist.. you're darn good Mate!

[martinh]

There was a void when Matt left GCN. But Oli is fillling that void more and more with every new video he makes.

[Pratalax]

That old frame is a beaut. With those wheels especially, it makes me appreciate shallow rims.

[JuanjoSVQ]

I owned a Look KG191, 1996
And since 2009, Look 586 pro team, dura Ace, Fulcrum racing 1. 7.25kg with pedals and bottle cage. It’s a climber, smooth but stiff bike. I love it. Incredibly stable and safe.
Love look bikes❤

[masterpointstrategies]

Still like the KG86. Classic lines, alloy lugs. Beautiful.

[erichaskell]

I have an Alan glued and screwed carbon/alloy frame made in the eighties. In the early 2000s I built it out in super Campy, nice and all but I was always nervous about catastrophic failure. Now it sits in storage, maybe some day I’ll build it out again. Pretty and unique.

[ianlindsay]

I've just had my late 80's cougar (653 Reynolds tubing) converted into a track frame with mud guard eyes to use as a winter bike.I also have a 1950s JRJ track frame which is lovely to ride on the road .

[jackseph]

Look have always been innovators, never afraid to buck the trend. Gotta admire them for that.

[funkdified]

PERFECT end to that video!! Another great one, mates! 😂 Two of the best presenters.

[luisrosano]

Great Video Guys! History of tech is my favourite topic. And Look bikes has a huge amount of history in cycling. Cheers

[scubaprousa]

My first cleats were Looks.. I had them on my first tri road bike, the Schwinn Tempo. A chrome moly gem with the much maligned Biopace crank rings. I still have it and its my training rain bike.

[jemma_]

Compared to steel and aluminium, carbon fiber is a very unethical material.
Very difficult to recycle, excess cloth is usually buried in most Asian factories. Gives off many nasties when burned and does not break down very easily.
Hate to think what happens to old frames at throwaway time.
Both steel and alloy can be very efficiently recycled and are renewable resources.