look_576Let me start off by saying I am in no way a bike expert and will always defer to the pros but I do want to offer my opinion on what was a significant purchase for a triathlon enthusiast. I had two main concerns when I bought my bike. I wanted a tri-bike because triathlons are my primary goal and I wanted to make sure I bought enough bike to “grow into” for under $3k. If I already had a “decent” road bike this may have changed my approach but my only set of wheels was a hard tail mountain bike (which I love by the way) and that was simply not going to cut it.

As a novice I think what may have been a more important decision is where I decided to buy my equipment. I researched and visited several local shops. I asked if they are certified to fit tri-bikes which is a key distinction and specialty. It is also important to note what type of accessories they sell. Does the shop cater to competitive bike riders and triathletes?

Once I committed to where I was going to buy my bike the rest boiled down to a few options, price and a qualified recommendation which is how I wound up with the Look 576. I could not be happier. Since I have never had the pleasure of riding a piece of equipment like this my rides are a joy. The Look brand is aptly named as it not only looks fast, it is. I love the blue and white color scheme and the paint job is first class. This bike was love at first site.

Getting professionally fit for a bike is a detailed process that requires experience. Christian at Cycles 54 did not steerbike_fit me wrong in any regard. We took our time to fit the bike and answer my questions along the way. Fitting a bike cannot be underestimated. There are no shortcuts here and fit is critical to overall bike performance and comfort. Getting my bike fit was not only exciting but it was an education.

The bike has performed wonderfully and really is an amazing machine. One of the most noticeable features even to a novice like me is the weight. The frame and fork weight in at just over 3 lbs. Throw in some peddles, bottle clips, and a bag and your just over 4 lbs. I think my mountain bike peddles weigh more than that!

The SRAM components shift like butter and are incredibly smooth. Again when you are used to driving a Subaru and you step behind the wheel of a BMW a few things pop out at you. When in the saddle of my Look I feel like I am in the BWM and it has not yet disappointed me.

The big question is will the love affair stand the test of time? How will I feel about my Look 576 next year? Only time will tell but today I am satisfied and have a big smile on my face ever time I take it on the road. The Look is race ready and delivered performace in my first triathlon.