Discussion
Having moved to Dubai I have been looking for a road bike (my first ever). The only shop I have been to, which actually wants to sell me a bike is Revolution Cycles who are suggesting a Look 566.
I have done the usual google searches but there are not many reviews of this bike. Does anyone have one and can comment?
I had asked for a 'sportive' bike which may be easier for a first timer to ride.
I have done the usual google searches but there are not many reviews of this bike. Does anyone have one and can comment?
I had asked for a 'sportive' bike which may be easier for a first timer to ride.
Yes I've got one - I bought it specifically to do the London-Paris ride 4/5 years ago, but since then I've done loads of 100 mile+ sportive rides including last year's Etape 'Acte 2' through the Pyrenees.
It's probably a good choice for sportive-type rides as it has quite a long headtube making it less of an aggressive low-down position. If you're looking to get into racing it might not be quite such a good choice, but for me being used more to mountain bikes it was quite easy to adapt to.
It seems to handle well and the build I have (old Centaur stuff) is very light despite the bargain basement campag khamsin wheelset. It also goes well but it's my first and only road bike so I haven't had the chance to ride alu or steel bikes to compare the supposed stiffness and energy transfer benefits of carbon - but to be honest I'm highly sceptical frame material makes that much of a difference, especially at the level I ride at.
I bought it because at the time the design was unique with the kink in the toptube although you seem to see that a lot more these days. In hindsight I'd probably have avoided the red/white/black colour scheme as I see it around too much. It's a good choice if being different appeals, I've never seen another in the UK.
It's a really comfortable ride and I have no desire to get anything else, apart from maybe one day upgrade the wheels. It's never been serviced and all I've done is degrease/relube the chain, kept it clean and it's never let me down. I think the main reason why I've got on so well with it is the professional fitting session I had when I bought it, so I was in a good position from day one - I highly recommend this to anyone looking to get a new bike.
That's a bit of a crappy review but let me know if you have any more questions at all.
Here's a pic:
It's probably a good choice for sportive-type rides as it has quite a long headtube making it less of an aggressive low-down position. If you're looking to get into racing it might not be quite such a good choice, but for me being used more to mountain bikes it was quite easy to adapt to.
It seems to handle well and the build I have (old Centaur stuff) is very light despite the bargain basement campag khamsin wheelset. It also goes well but it's my first and only road bike so I haven't had the chance to ride alu or steel bikes to compare the supposed stiffness and energy transfer benefits of carbon - but to be honest I'm highly sceptical frame material makes that much of a difference, especially at the level I ride at.
I bought it because at the time the design was unique with the kink in the toptube although you seem to see that a lot more these days. In hindsight I'd probably have avoided the red/white/black colour scheme as I see it around too much. It's a good choice if being different appeals, I've never seen another in the UK.
It's a really comfortable ride and I have no desire to get anything else, apart from maybe one day upgrade the wheels. It's never been serviced and all I've done is degrease/relube the chain, kept it clean and it's never let me down. I think the main reason why I've got on so well with it is the professional fitting session I had when I bought it, so I was in a good position from day one - I highly recommend this to anyone looking to get a new bike.
That's a bit of a crappy review but let me know if you have any more questions at all.
Here's a pic:
Oh and if you're just getting started I highly recommend getting mtb-style dual-sided SPD pedals and compatible shoes. Much easier to get into and out of, and the shoes are far easier to walk in. A much better proposition for everyday riding that SPD SLs or Look pedals which are tough to get into and the shoes are highly compromised for any kind of walking. Also the number of people I've seen topple over struggling to get in/out of their SPD SLs has put me off for life.
The 2013 looks great, despite being black/white/red:
The pic above is from Epic Cycles which is where I bought mine from. Abolsutely brilliant shop, great service and I would definitely use them again (no affiliation): http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/index.htm
The pic above is from Epic Cycles which is where I bought mine from. Abolsutely brilliant shop, great service and I would definitely use them again (no affiliation): http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/index.htm
I looked at the 566 before I bought the RS and it was pretty much between those two but I read a few reviews like this one which implied that whilst the 566 was very comfy, it lacked the urgency and kick that other similar bikes had.
For all round comfort the 566 is said to be superb so I doubt you will be disappointed!
The Cannondale Synapse and Specilsied Roubaix are worth a look, they are both designed primarily for comfort over long distances like the 566.
For all round comfort the 566 is said to be superb so I doubt you will be disappointed!
The Cannondale Synapse and Specilsied Roubaix are worth a look, they are both designed primarily for comfort over long distances like the 566.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 8th July 08:40
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff