LOOK
Encyclopedia
Look is a French manufacturer of bicycle frames, equipment, and apparel.
Established in Nevers
, France
in 1951, Look was originally a ski
equipment manufacturer. The company produced bindings under its own name and others such as Rossignol
and Dynastar
. The partnership with Rossignol (which later merged with Dynastar) made Look a leading binding manufacturer along with the Marker
brand. Look pioneered a new binding, that set it apart from Marker in freestyle. This was branded with the pivot system (FKS for Rossignol). Following a change in ownership, it was replaced in 2008 with the px series.
In the 1980s Look introduced a clipless pedal for cycling
based on equipment for ski binding
s. A spring-loaded latch on the top of the pedal held a cleat that was bolted to the sole of a shoe, a twist of the foot releasing the hold. They are called pédales automatiques (automatic pedals) in French. They were sold from 1984, and in 1985 Bernard Hinault
used them to win the Tour de France
. They were said to be safer and more comfortable than toe-clips. By 2000 the pedal was in widespread use on road bikes
("racing" bikes), track bikes
, and mountain bikes
, especially among experienced riders.
In 1986 Greg Lemond
won the Tour de France
on the first Look carbon frame, the KG 86. It was completely handmade and combined Kevlar with carbon for increased rigidity. In 1990 Look designed the KG 196, it was the first single-piece carbon frame and was designed for track racing.
In the 1980s Look was acquired by the Tapie
group, which sponsored the professional La Vie Claire
cycling team
which included Hinault. Look pioneered bicycle frame
s from carbon fiber. In 1994, the ski binding division was sold to Skis Rossignol
, and the cycle division became Look Cycle. In 1998, Look was sold by Bernard Tapie
for 260 million francs.
Dominique Bergin bought the company with Look's management. Early in the 20th century, pro cycling sponsorship included up to three Tour de France teams. The name is now Look Cycle International. Laurent Jalabert
, a French professional in the 1990s, is a consultant.
History
Nevers
Nevers is a commune in – and the administrative capital of – the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1951, Look was originally a ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
equipment manufacturer. The company produced bindings under its own name and others such as Rossignol
Skis Rossignol
Skis Rossignol S.A., or simply Rossignol, is a French manufacturer of alpine, snowboard, and Nordic equipment, as well as related outerwear and accessories, located in Isère, France. Rossignol was one of the first companies to produce plastic skis. The company also owns the brand Dynastar as well...
and Dynastar
Dynastar
Dynastar is a winter sports company based in Sallanches, France. Founded in 1963, the name Dynastar was born when Les Plastiques Synthétiques, manufacturers of Starflex skis, collaborated with Dynamic on a new compound ski....
. The partnership with Rossignol (which later merged with Dynastar) made Look a leading binding manufacturer along with the Marker
Marker (alpine bindings)
Marker has been a manufacturer of alpine ski bindings since 1952. Founded by Hannes Marker, the company is known for pioneering releasable binding technology. Marker's first model, the Duplex, led the way and was followed in 1953 by the highest binding ever, the simplex toe...
brand. Look pioneered a new binding, that set it apart from Marker in freestyle. This was branded with the pivot system (FKS for Rossignol). Following a change in ownership, it was replaced in 2008 with the px series.
In the 1980s Look introduced a clipless pedal for cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
based on equipment for ski binding
Ski binding
A ski binding is an attachment which anchors a ski boot to the ski. There are different types of bindings for different types of skiing.-Universal designs:...
s. A spring-loaded latch on the top of the pedal held a cleat that was bolted to the sole of a shoe, a twist of the foot releasing the hold. They are called pédales automatiques (automatic pedals) in French. They were sold from 1984, and in 1985 Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985...
used them to win the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
. They were said to be safer and more comfortable than toe-clips. By 2000 the pedal was in widespread use on road bikes
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
("racing" bikes), track bikes
Track cycling
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using track bicycles....
, and mountain bikes
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, especially among experienced riders.
In 1986 Greg Lemond
Greg LeMond
Gregory James LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States and a three-time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Lakewood, California and raised in Reno, Nevada....
won the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
on the first Look carbon frame, the KG 86. It was completely handmade and combined Kevlar with carbon for increased rigidity. In 1990 Look designed the KG 196, it was the first single-piece carbon frame and was designed for track racing.
In the 1980s Look was acquired by the Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
group, which sponsored the professional La Vie Claire
La Vie Claire
La Vie Claire was a professional road bicycle racing team named after its chief sponsor La vie Claire, a chain of health food stores.-History:The La Vie Claire team was created in 1984 by Bernard Tapie and directed by Paul Koechli...
cycling team
Cycling team
A cycling team is a group of cyclists who join a team or are acquired and train together to compete in bicycle races whether recreational or professional - and the supporting personnel...
which included Hinault. Look pioneered bicycle frame
Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
s from carbon fiber. In 1994, the ski binding division was sold to Skis Rossignol
Skis Rossignol
Skis Rossignol S.A., or simply Rossignol, is a French manufacturer of alpine, snowboard, and Nordic equipment, as well as related outerwear and accessories, located in Isère, France. Rossignol was one of the first companies to produce plastic skis. The company also owns the brand Dynastar as well...
, and the cycle division became Look Cycle. In 1998, Look was sold by Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
for 260 million francs.
Dominique Bergin bought the company with Look's management. Early in the 20th century, pro cycling sponsorship included up to three Tour de France teams. The name is now Look Cycle International. Laurent Jalabert
Laurent Jalabert
Laurent Jalabert is a French former professional road racing cyclist, from 1989 to 2002. Affectionately known as "Jaja" , he won many one-day and stage races and was ranked number 1 in the 1990s...
, a French professional in the 1990s, is a consultant.