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Review: Look 765 Gravel RS bike shapes up as an off-road drop bar bruiser

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When the Look 765 Gravel RS debuted, it was behind glass, and no one wanted to talk much about it. Until they did, which was a great relief to us because that first glance had us fighting over who’d get to ride it first. Look’s aesthetic has always been a bit divisive, but their first gravel bike seems to strike the right balance between tradition and their shapely integrations. And oh boy does it ride well…

Look 765 Gravel RS actual weight & geo

look 765 gravel rs actual weight

We tested the size XL with the Force 1×11 group, which includes a Look alloy cockpit plus carbon seatpost, Mavic Allroad tubeless wheels, and WTB Riddler 700×37 tires. Weight for the complete bike without pedals was 20.02lb (9.08kg). Also on offer are two Shimano 2×11 builds, check this post for the geo chart and options. They also offer the e-765 Gravel RS model with motor assist.

Look 765 Gravel RS ride review & frame tech

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Perhaps its the XL’s stature that gives this bike such an imposing presence, but that height is supported by a massively oversized head tube, thick top tube and robust down tube. In fact, the whole front triangle of this bike is larger than life, which lends it a bomb-proof feeling when racing over rough terrain. Washboards, roots and rocks can’t shake it. They shook me, but the bike was unfazed.

Look uses a lot of shaping to add structure, too, as well as aesthetics built around the features. Indents let them run straight cable entry points, keeping things from flaring out.

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Even the headset cap is shaped to match, as are the headset spacers.

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Shaping on the fork legs design flex into them, which helps tame rough ground…but note the disparity in girth compared to that downtube!

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Look’s alloy stem was a bit long for my preference, but it too was shaped to blend in with the bike. If the bike were mine, I’d swap out for a more ergonomic carbon handlebar with  a bit of flare on the drops. The SRAM Force 1 group was, as usual, flawless.

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Thankfully, Look sticks with a standard stem/steerer and seatpost/seat tube interface, letting you swap things out easily. Their carbon seatpost was standard, but fine, and it’s 27.2, which is great for muting bumps…

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

…especially when combined with these flattened, shaped seatstays. Called 3D Wave, the design intentionally mutes vertical inputs to keep you more comfortable and the rear tire planted.

It all works as intended…I felt unstoppable on this bike. The front end feels strong and confident, and the rear end tracks well. This is one of my favorite gravel bikes I’ve ridden, and if it weren’t for limitations on garage space, I’d have tried to keep it longer.

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Love it or hate it, dropped chainstays add tire and chainstay clearance. Note the small indent on the lower part of the seatstays, too, which is part of that engineered flex design.

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

The smooth lines help hide just how big the BB section is. Nothing is lost to frame flex here.

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

look 765 rs gravel road bike review

Need more water? Five mounting bolts on the inside of the downtube, one on the bottom of   it, and three on the seat tube let you add a ton of storage. And the top tube has a two-bolt bento box mounting point. Which is good, because the fork legs and stays don’t have any.

how much tire clearance does the look 765 rs gravel bike have

While it comes with 700×37, there’s room for more (up to 40mm claimed) in there. Or 650B x 2.1″ wheels and tires.

My only complaint with the bike is knee contact on the top tube. I’m exaggerating it a bit in these photos, but the top tube is wiiiide. So, if your knees typically rub on the top tube when pedaling, they’re gonna do it more on this bike.

The “RS” in this bike’s name means “Racing Sport”, and it fits. There’s no accommodations for fenders or racks, only the essentials for long races like The Rift or Grinduro. The big front end put me in a commanding position that could get racier by removing the spacers, making it a great all-day bike that’s ready to race. Simply put, this bike felt unstoppable no matter what I rode through or how I rode through it. Well done, Look.

LookCycle.com

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Involuntary Soul
Involuntary Soul
5 years ago

for a size XL, the frame looks proportional which is hard to do. Very disappointed by the weight, my 3 years old Niner RLT RDO weights less and that thing is build like a tank with a 600g fork.

Velo Kitty
Velo Kitty
5 years ago

Thumbs up for the BB386EVO bottom bracket.

Gears4Good
5 years ago

We need to organize an intervention to discuss those white socks.

Pal RTicard
5 years ago

Un less you are a Look devotee, I am not sure why I would;d send the extra dollars on this bike. Giant, Avanti and other big brands do such great bikes, I see little difference. When you are on the trail, kicking it, the most important thing is that you have great geometry and balance. My Ginaty TCX does everything ever need on a bike, for half the price.

Morten Reippuert
Morten Reippuert
4 years ago
Reply to  Pal RTicard

Appart from bespoke carbon frames, Look are made to much much higher tollerances, sounder mechanical engneering and much high quality in the layup than ANY other carbon bikes out there.

They control deveopment AND end-to-end manufacturing in their Tunesia fabric and are the only one to do so. Not even Giant or Merida does. (Or for that Matter Colnago’s single remaining Italian produced frame).

check Hambini, check Luescher – all Look carbon frames and forks are just damm well made which you cant say for 99% of frames that cost up to twice as much.

From an engeneering and consumer point of view there are very sound reasons to be a Look devotee. From a geomwtry and ride characteristic point of view its down to personal preferences.

Ps. Does anyone know if Open Cycles are still made by AX Lightness or have the also moved production to tge far east?

Martin Hess
5 years ago

Sorry folks, but even though I like the look of this bike I don’t understand the aero shape trend for Gravel bikes. In my understanding it only adds weight, complexity and the need for special parts you’ll never find aftermarket ( like a closely matching fork or stem ) when you’ll need ’em after damage in a few years time…..

Brendan Lee
Brendan Lee
4 years ago
Reply to  Martin Hess

Did you even read the article? This bike is not aero in any way whatsoever, and the “aero” cockpit you’re talking about is just a fancy shaped stem and spacers. The steerer tube and headset are traditional and round. There are no proprietary parts.

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