First look: Look 2009 road bikes Taking an unconventional route to aero Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Whatsapp Share on Reddit Email to a friend By James Huang Published: August 2, 2008 at 9:00 am Look’s new 596 frame bucks some current trends but still looks fast standing still. James Huang As usual, there’s the deep-section seat tube, down tube and seat stays… James Huang …and Look has fitted the front end with an updated version of its Monoblade fork. James Huang A lighter and stiffer two-piece carbon stem replaces last year’s bulky (and heavy) articulating aluminum bit. James Huang Instead of tightening up clearances, Look has actually increased them in key areas. James Huang The rear end is particularly generous in terms of spacing. James Huang Don’t scratch your head too hard trying to figure out the significance of the kinked top tube; Look says it’s purely for style points. James Huang The stays are bonded on to the monocoque front end. James Huang Lying at the heart of the 596 is its monstrous bottom bracket shell. James Huang Nope, it’s not BB30; the Zed spindle measures roughly 50mm in diameter. James Huang A simple threaded collar on the non-driveside is all that’s required to hold the system together. James Huang Users can easily choose between three different effective crank lengths but the Zed will only work with a special pair of KeO pedals. James Huang The one-piece hollow carbon assembly is claimed to weigh just 320g. James Huang A small depression in the spindle allows it to be fed through the frame from the driveside. James Huang The enormous spindle diameter should yield fantastic stiffness. James Huang The clever integrated spider will accept either 110mm or 130mm BCD chainrings. James Huang The top of the 596 is capped with Look’s now-familiar E Post. James Huang Multisport athletes get a new 576 frame with a tri-friendly 78° seat tube angle. James Huang Though not as advanced as the 596, the 576 shares some of its design philosophy. James Huang A conventional fork replaces the 596’s Monoblade. James Huang Look says there’s more clearance here than on some other dedicated TT bikes. James Huang Check out the gap between the seat tube and the rear wheel. Don’t fret; it’s intentional. James Huang The carbon seat stays are naturally deep-profile as well. James Huang There isn’t quite as much room here as on the 596 but Look says it’s still more than most. James Huang A 5mm-offset E Post R5 should offer plenty of forward movement (but it won’t make the UCI happy). James Huang