We’re just back from the Fisher Expo trade show, where the Look 986 carbon hardtail caught our eye – the bike Oli Beckingsale will ride after signing for Endura this season.
Where previously the 986 was only available with an integrated seat post, Look has added a non-integrated version of the frame. It accepts 31.6mm seat posts for increased versatility, as well as making it easier to sell when it comes to that time.
The 986 frame weighs in at 1300g (for a size small) thanks to its carbon fibre construction and retails for £1699.99. It’s seen here kitted out with a SRAM X.0 groupset and Truvativ Noir chainset – ideal for tackling the toughest of XC tracks.
It’s an impressive looking frame which ever angle you look at it from. Hunky profiled tubes ensure that as well as being light it’ll be incredibly stiff and responsive. Look uses a ‘monobloc’ construction for the frame which includes that large gusset under the downtube where it meets the head tube to ensure front end stiffness. A tube-to-tube construction method is used to bond the stays to the front triangle.
Stiffness is boosted with the inclusion of a BB30 bottom bracket, but comfort hasn’t been ignored (even the fastest racers will admit to needing a little bit of it) so Look rolls out DCSC Concept Stays, where the upper and lower sections of chainstays are flattened towards the BB to allow a small degree of flex.
To prevent damage to the downtube from potential rock strikes ‘nano metal’ particles are added to the carbon layup to increase its strength.
The race-tuned geometry has been based around 80-100mm forks with a 71.2° head tube and 72.2° seat tube keeping handling razor sharp.
So, how about that? All in all, it makes for a race-ready machine. Now let’s see Oli ride it.
Available from www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
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