Hi,

After almost two weeks of shopping for a carbon frameset, I have to make a decision between two carbon frames: the Look 555 (57 cm) and the Giant TCR Advanced. They are the same price.

I really like the TCR Advanced; it's stiff and light. I wasn't able to try the Look 555, but I heard it's also stiff but heavier than the TCR Advanced.

To me, the TCR Advanced is using higher carbon technology. It has a Kevlar reinforced head tube and bottom braket. (slimmer / see photo) The Look 555 is using older technology such as the aluminum bottom braket. I guess it's a question of taste and certainly a minor detail, but I hate the fact that the Look is routing the rear brake cable inside the top tube. Remember, this is my personnal opinion. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Important point: I don't know if would be able to ride a pink bike.

TCR Advanced
http://www.nyvelocity.com/slideshow//125/giant.tcradvanced.head.jpg

LOOK 555
http://toumy-degham.onlinetri.com/photos/images/essaislook.jpg

Why dont you get a Scott ?

I assume you're comparing the 57cm LOOK to a size large Giant. If you do an accurate geometry comparison, the LOOK has about a 1.5cm shorter reach than the Giant and requires a 10-20mm longer stem. Whether that's good or bad depends on your body proportions.

As for the aluminum BB, at least it's totally reliable. If you want all carbon lugs, move up to the 585.

Personally, I'd never buy a pink bike. Not offered in plain black?

Like I previously mentionned in my other thread, I have a short torso. I like the fact that the LOOK 555 has a shorter top tube, but it's not a big difference; LOOK top tube is 57.5 and TCR Advanced top tube is 58.4 => a 9 mm difference.

The TCR Advanced is only offered in the T-Mobile colors. (in Canada)

2 weeks? Thats a drop in the bucket for researching your next bike. Have you looked at Kestrel,Fuji{very nice}, Felt, Tarmac Pro and all the many other carbons out there? Dont rush.

You're not taking into account the difference in the seat tube angle. The difference is 1.5cm. The 72.5 degree STA on the LOOK reduces the reach by another 6mm.

I recent thread had a great review of carbon frames from a german magazine. The net of it was the Giant TRC and the Look 585 both had the best balance of stiffness and comfort. It sounds like you like the Giant. I'd go for the Giant and see about special ordering a different paint scheme.

Depending where you live,
The US colour (silver/black & T-Mobile), and
The UK colour (all black).

C-40You're right. I always forget that one.

bsdcThe 585 is another thing. Too expensive for my budget. The frameset is available in grey similar to the TCR Composite 1, but only in the US. Here in Canada, it's only available with the T-Mobile Scheme. It's available in black in Europe.

chorus I wish the it would be available in full black.

I guess they will release the full black with integrated seatpost (which I'm skeptical about) next year in North America.

So far, no one gave any praise for the Look 555.

So far, no one gave any praise for the Look 555.

LOOK has a much much smaller dealership in North America than Giant does, and most of the readership of this board is North American. Hence it's hard to find owners of every model of LOOK. Add to this their tendency to change model numbers all the time.

Look, LOOK has been making race-oriented bikes for a while now, and plenty of people love their frames. Did you look in the LOOK board yet? Plenty of praise for almost every model that they have. You won't find a lemon in their lineup. They don't make the strangest-looking, lightest frames, but plenty of amateur racers in Europe ride these frames day in and day out. So LOOK tends to choose to err on the side of durability and longevity: otherwise they will have gone bankrupt having to replace all these frames that non-sponsored amateurs use for racing and training! I have an older KG 361 and it's a well-made, well-designed frame that holds up for racing and training.

My other frame is a Cyfac and you'll have a harder time finding these on the roads, because their production is small. I just lucked out and had a friend's recommendation on these.

I know that it must be agonizing to have to make your decision, so good luck with it!

That silver and black Giant looks great. If the Giant is the one you want cant your LBS bet one from a US dealer. I've talked to several dealers that said they would ship a frame to my local bike shop.