After several weeks of testing and more 1000 km traveled, we are proud to present our detailed Look test 795 Blade RS, made available by the brand neversoise, that we were able to test under a wide variety of conditions to give you a precise idea of its performance. Come on, Let's go !
Presentation
The Look brand, whose reputation is well established in the field of carbon frameworks, caught the eye last year with the launch of its most aero model, the 795 Blade RS. A framework for the plain, and used by the professionals of the Nippo Delko One Provence team in particular. It is therefore with great curiosity that we approached this test, and especially with a lot of questions, especially on its performance, comfort, but also the sensations it provides.
Zoom on the montage
Our model, the 795 Blade RS Disc Black Red Glossy Mat pour les puristes, was equipped with a Sram Red eTap AXS electronic transmission, Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon UST wheels fitted with Mavic Yksion tubeless tires, and Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals. A high-end assembly for the flagship of the French brand, enough to stir up our curiosity a little more. Small detail that may be important, the wheels are tightened using an allen key, and we just tighten the axle directly in the space provided. Care must be taken to keep the two sides of the fork in place in order to be able to tighten the wheel., otherwise the screw turns in a vacuum. Another aspect that can be disturbing when you don't know it, the seat post clamping screw produces a rather disturbing crack when you want to tighten it properly, which gives the impression of cracking a component. Unpleasant, but it will take more to damage the frame, who does not suffer at all from this manipulation.
First impressions
Once the bike is mounted and adjusted, we left for a few hours in the saddle, in order to enjoy the first laps on this advanced bike. At first glance, it is a frame oriented for the plain and intended for rollers capable of sending watts. But the first sensations give us a very different impression, because it is above all the comfort of this machine that catches our attention. The roads, sometimes in very poor condition, put a strain on the surroundings, but at no point did we feel any discomfort. The key ? 3S Design technology, a very ingenious system which allows the rear shroud to return all the power on the road, but also to absorb the roughness of the ground, for a most enjoyable experience. We are therefore dealing with a frame which adapts perfectly to all types of cyclists, without excluding the less fit among us. Even at low speed, the yield remains very interesting, and this despite the very large inertia which could easily hamper during the quietest outings. So don't worry, it is a framework that will adapt to all types of effort, far from equivalent range bikes in some competitors, which are sometimes only aimed at experienced competitors.
A rigid bike
Rigidity is often the key word when we talk about aerodynamic frames. Intense efforts that require optimal power transfer at high speed, and which therefore require very specific behavior of the manager when the constraints are high. We had no trouble testing the rigidity of this Blade RS, because even at low speed, we feel that each watt is directly transmitted to the road, with very little flexibility and of course a very important feeling of stability. But to push the machine to its limits, we had to try it in a slightly more extreme configuration… What could be better than a good sprint session to appreciate the performance of an aero frame ? So here we go for a series of accelerations at maximum power, intended to push the machine on its favorite ground. A real treat, as the behavior of the framework is adapted to this type of effort, and the sensations it provides beyond 60 kmh are simply excellent. A good dose of adrenaline that the most powerful runners will appreciate, but it is obviously on rolling efforts that this machine best expresses its potential. Only problem, the frame has the annoying tendency to produce some rather unpleasant noises during these violent accelerations, especially at the disc level. A slight annoyance which may surprise at first, but which you get used to quite easily. Once launched on the most rolling portions, the feeling of ease felt in pedaling is simply impressive. No doubt, we have a lot to do with a real rolling machine, and it’s not for nothing that this model can be converted into a triathlon version, for which it suffices to modify the cockpit. otherwise, the frame is relatively compact, and we must admit that for a size L, we found the length quite short, a trend found in many manufacturers. It will therefore be necessary to check the ratings carefully before acquiring such an object.
Specific or versatile framework ?
You would have understood it, the Blade RS is primarily intended for rollers and sprinters, which have playgrounds suitable for this type of setting. But what is it worth on steeper routes ? We wanted to test its performance on more hilly terrain, and our dear Brittany offers us an ideal ground to assess its performance in this area. And there again, it's a good surprise, because for a frame of more than 8kg (8,2kg with pedals, in size L), you could expect to experience some difficulty when the road climbs. It is not so, and instead, the bike responds pretty well, Despite that “heaviness” partly due to disc braking. On the shortest portions, and more generally the efforts of 2 at 3 minutes at high intensity, you won't really feel the difference with a versatile frame. You will have to wait for more moderate gaits and longer durations to feel your limits., which are mainly due to its weight, more than his behavior. Of course, the highest percentages will make you understand the value of a climber bike, but we honestly expected to experience a lot more difficulty on the (very) numerous coasts which mark out our training routes.
Disc braking ? An essential asset
To hide nothing from you, I had always been very skeptical about the interest of disc braking. Suffice to say that I would not have been against a classic version with skates. But once on the bike, the game has changed radically. After barely a few kilometers, the difference is felt. Braking is powerful, specific, and very secure. It took a month to test it in the rain, but the first outings on wet roads will only have reinforced this opinion, because the gain in terms of braking in these conditions is impressive. After more than 1000km traveled, the return to pad braking will have made us regret our Blade, and I can assure you that this braking system is far from being a luxury. Aside from the resulting weight, it's hard to find faults with this model, especially since discs really seem to have become the norm for some time.
Our opinion
Generally, this frame perfectly meets what is expected of him. No complaints about the most violent efforts, and reminders are perfectly managed. An ideal machine for efforts in plain 30 minutes to 1 hour, type against the clock, but which also responds perfectly to fairly short bumps. Far from being a light bike, he behaves very flexibly anyway, whether on hilly courses or at low speeds. The assembly is very consistent, and the choice of Sram Red ETap Axs 12 speeds offers a very wide range of developments particularly suited to cycling. A very positive assessment, both in terms of finish, flawless, that of the dynamic behavior of the framework. The only downsides will be to look for in the details, the screw tightenings or the crunches that we have mentioned to you, but nothing is holding us back when using this Blade RS. Fully satisfied with this test, it is a framework that we recommend without hesitation, provided you are ready to invest a little more 10 000 euros to give you this jewel.
We liked :
– efficiency in plain and sprint
– the style (no pun intended)
– very efficient disc braking
– versatility despite the weight
We liked less :
– the creaks when tightening the seatpost
– noise from high speed discs
– the wheel clamping system, quite restrictive sometimes
Note
8.5/10
Technical sheet
Mark : Look
Model : 795 Blade RS Disc
Colors : Matt black / red
Wheels : Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon SI UST Tubeless Disc CL
Tires : Mavic Yksion Pro UST Tubeless 25mm
Transmission : Sram Red ETap Axs 12 speeds
Pedals : Look Keo Blade Carbon
Its : The Italia
Saddle stem : Look Aeropost 2. Carbon 400mm
Gallows : Look ADS
Hanger : Look ADH 2.1 Carbon
Cut : L
Weight : 8,2 kg (with pedals)
Price : 10 499 €
