Among Endura Racing's expanding multi national squad, Iker Camano stands out due to his Grand Tour experience. Perhaps a rider who has ridden four Tours de France might seem a surprising inclusion for a British Continental squad, but Camano is relishing the challenge.
The team may not yet operate at the levels Camano has experienced in his time with Phonak, Euskaltel and Saunier Duval, but in the Look 695 SR he has a bike at least the match of any in the Pro Tour.
Since riding for the Once junior team, Camano has developed a long association with Look bikes. A former Spanish amateur national time trial champion, he has developed into an attacking rouleur who is a threat from breakaway groups over tough roads. A late solo attack on stage 6 of the Tour of Britain showed his character, and in the 695, he appears to have the bike for the job.
Following on from last season’s mostly round tubed Look 595, the 695 is available in two versions – the SR (super rigid) ridden by Endura Racing, and the SL which is aimed at those wanting more comfort. The 695 SR’s most obvious feature is the oversized and squared down tube, which easily swallows the bottom bracket, giving incredible rigidity in that area.
Bold Look graphics accentuate the squared oversized down tube
Making the most of this platform are Look’s BB65 bottom bracket, and the unique ZED2 one piece carbon crankset. The larger bearing size, as well as improving stiffness and durability, is essential to permit the ZED2 to pass through the bottom bracket shell.
The Look one piece ZED 2 crankset is running SRAM Red chain rings because they are harder wearing and stiffer
This setup reaps benefits at every stage, which translates to superb power transmission. For those wanting to run a conventional bottom bracket and cranks, Look make an insert, similar to a tandem’s eccentric bottom bracket to convert the shell. No need to worry about crank length either, the ZED2’s triangular lobe pedal inserts can be rotated to give lengths of 170, 172.5 or 175mm.
The seat mast design has been retained, with different coloured rubber dampers available to provide some comfort between seat mast and Look’s E-Post. Camano and all of the Endura riders use the hardest black insert, eschewing extra softness. The seat stays flare around the seat mast to the filled in rear brake bridge, bracing this crucial junction against lateral flex. Up front the 295g HSC 7 fork is said to be 15% more rigid and 16% lighter than the HSC 6, with a crown shaped to blend smoothly in to the head tube and aid aerodynamics.
Look E-Post with black rubber insert and Team issue Fizik Arione saddle
Although the team could use the excellent fully adjustable C-Stem, Endura use Zipp aluminium Service Course SL stems for practical reasons. To maintain his preferred low position, Camano’s is –17 degrees, necessitating an adapted headset top cap to prevent it rubbing. Matching Zipp handlebars and Zipp 404 wheels wearing Continental Competition tubulars complete a faultless package.
SRAM continue to supply the drivetrain components, and in 2011 Endura are racing on SRAM Force, which has proven itself throughout a heavy race programme. Last year’s SRAM Red chain rings are still fitted because they are stiffer. The machine is finished off with Look Keo Blade pedals and a team issue green striped Fizik Arione saddle, bringing the package in just above the UCI’s minimum weight limit at 6.91kg.
While the team ride Look Keo Blade pedals, Camano uses the lighter spring (yellow) version
Camano likes the bike’s low weight, its climbing ability, and the cornering confidence it gives him. He is looking forward to further successes with Endura and Look next season, and to helping the team fight their way towards the Pro Continental ranks.
