Look 585 Optimum - custom paint road bike

I got this frame last year in return for saying goodbye to a shiny Samson track frame, and have been making slow progress towards getting it built up ever since. The previous owner stripped the bulk of the paint off, and I was hesitant riding on bare carbon (plus don't like the aesthetic much) so it needed some work to get it ready to ride.

Full of ideas from reading the paint thread, I spoke to Cromaworks in Sheffield who were happy to remove any remaining paint and repaint it. The next part was the bit that took ages... I was discussing design with a friend of mine who is a graphic designer, but ultimately was a bit too busy to help out. I finally sorted myself out and decided to come up with a rough design, and posted it to John at Cromaworks a few days ago. The basic design being as follows:

There are a couple of points still to finalise on the paint - I haven't yet sent the RAL or other colour codes, so could tweak the colour (I was thinking maybe a slightly greener-blue on the bottom half).

Plan from there is to build up with Ultegra 11 speed, Flo 30 wheels and a canyon seatpost as a decent fast yet comfortable road bike. I'm getting a bike fit lined up with the bike whisperer, to get it dialed right in.

More details to follow...

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Lovely frame, I salute any Look-based project but this is a particularly interesting plan. I've had a similar idea for my Cyfac carbon frame and was looking at their factory paint works (http://cyfac.fr/paint/) but Cromaworks are closer to home and the stuff they've been doing with Field bikes is pretty spectacular. Be cool to see how you get on, keep us posted...

Will do! John from Cromaworks is a pleasure to deal with, really helpful and willing to fill in the gaps needed to get the job done if (like me) your design skills might be lacking. The final pics I sent him are a bit more detailed than visible above, so I am excited to see how it comes out.

Just my 2p, but I think it needs a lot more LOOK logos and it would be better using the correct decals.

Your lucky to get one of these. What size is it out of curiosity?

Yeah, I know every stock Look is plastered with decals but I wasn't keen on going down that route. I'm not keen on over-logoed bikes and it seemed like a bit of a waste having custom paint from one of the best painters out there, and then making the bike look like a factory model anyway.

The logo isn't clear on the picture above but I sent a close up of that part - it is actually the older Look logo (below) but with colouring and minor design changes to the blocks, to match the rest of the bike. However I didn't take a picture of that before I posted the drawings for him to work off, so will have to see how it comes out.

Think the size is a Large

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Just my 2p, but I think it needs a lot more LOOK logos and it would be better using the correct decals.>

Great project but this^ That's half of what owning a Look is about. Great bikes, great paint jobs and a large amount the brand name screaming Look. My KG121 has the word Look visible 9 different times from each side. Even if you do only want one logo, please make it the current one. I'll be following with interest. Good luck with the build.

Thanks all. I appreciate the input, although it isn't changing the paint plans... this is the first time I've had a custom paint job frame, and I want it to be the design I want, absence of logos included. I appreciate this might rule me out of the stereotype of the Look owners' club, but so be it

Cromaworks in Sheffield

If memory serves, one of the painters with whom I opened the paint porn thread: looking forward to this!

Are you going to have the little logo above the brake bridge? Please say you are, thats my favourite. I too would feel something was missing riding my Look if it was unbadged/destickered - but it'll be fun to see how this turns out.

Too many bedroom 'artisans' messing-up quality frames it seems these days. That Look appears to be any random carbon bike now.
NONE of you will ever make a Look cadre better than the chaps from Nevers, France.

Just hang fluffy dice from the handlebars if you want it 'individual'.

@Scilly.Suffolk - yep, that was actually the first I'd heard of them; their work (and that thread) has been a big inspiration in deciding what I wanted.

@Dillahunt - hadn't actually thought about that particular decal - given the frame was stripped when I got it, I couldn't see where the decals had been (except from internet pictures, which tend to be side on). Will see if I can source/want to add that little decal when I get the frame back, I agree it's a nice little touch.

@fignon - yeah, well someone else took the paint off, it's not something I would have done given the choice but since it's off, I figure I have free reign how to repaint. Luckily this isn't communist N Korea where we all have to have dear leader's haircut of choice, and people are allowed to make their own decisions, although obviously I do have to sleep at night knowing I've upset "the internet"

Fignon is dead. Long live Fignon!

seatpost has arrived...

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That'll look good,kind of like an echo of the monostay below it.

@fignon must enjoy an amazing view up that high horse of his. Of course there serious anti potential (and stripping a Look frame is a funny idea to start with) but let's wait and see the end result.

@andyfallsoff please don't give us ammo though. Best of luck!

Wh'appen?

@andyfallsoff

Sorry, I forgot to update this. Will try and take some pics this week... it is built up with Flo30 wheels and ultegra 6800 and rides beautifully

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How did the paint job turn out? Let's see a pic!

Pls. Show us the paint...

Heh! You found it!

plsplspls @andyfallsoff

Any progress @andyfallsoff ?

Photos plz!

@andyfallsoff