LOOK 695
LOOK 695
Like the 795, LOOK’s 695 also comes in two versions, but calls them the Aerolight and the ZR. While it doesn’t have the same extreme tube profiles and orientations as the 795, the 695 is every bit as much a race-ready machine, having been ridden by the likes of Cofidis in WorldTour races (before the French outfit switched to Orbea bikes for 2015).
The 695 Aerolight still features the aero-optimised brakes, with Look’s HSC 7 aero fork and integrated v-brakes at the front and a direct-mount Ultegra 6810 hidden under the bottom bracket at the rear. There’s an integrated seatpost as well, that LOOK call the E-Post, with the ‘E’ standing for elastomer as the post coming with three elastomers (two internal and one external) that work to absorb some of the road vibrations coming through the frame. The E-Post also has a special mounting bracket for Shimano’s latest internal Di2 battery making for easy access.
But if you want to go mechanical, never fear, as the frame has dual compatibility, and the ability to internally route both types of drivetrain all the way from the stem to the calipers/derailleurs.
Up front, LOOK have included the Aerostem on the 695 as well, even though it’s not as integrated into the setup as on the 795. But it retains the wide range of adjustability from 17 to -13 degrees.
One other point of note on the Aerolight is that LOOK have made a limited edition Paris-Modena Maserati-branded version available this year, designed for a charity ride from Paris to the hometown of the iconic Italian car manufacturer. Price for that model is £6,999, with an Ultegra Di2 groupset and Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon wheels.
The 695 ZR is a rather different option, and features far less integration than the Aerolight version. It replaces the Aerostem with an FSA Omega stem, mounts a mechanical Ultegra groupset rather than Di2 and rolls on a set of rather more entry-level Mavic Aksiums. All that brings the weight up to 7.5kg, but lower the price tag significantly, with the 695 ZR costing £3,499.99.