785 Huez
Look's 2024 redesign of the 785 Huez positions it as a modern climbing bike that balances low weight with everyday practicality. Moving away from complex integration and press-fit standards, this generation adopts a threaded T47 bottom bracket, a standard round seatpost with an external collar, and a two-piece cockpit that routes hoses under the stem rather than through the bars. The frame relies on thin, rounded tube profiles and carbon nanotube technology to keep weight low while maintaining structural stiffness. With tire clearance expanded to 32mm, the platform broadens its appeal beyond pure ascents, catering to riders who want a responsive, traditional-looking road bike that is easy to service and capable of handling rougher mountain passes or long endurance days.
| Stack | 591.3mm |
| Reach | 395.5mm |
| Top tube | 559.6mm |
| Headtube length | 165.8mm |
| Standover height | 785.5mm |
| Seat tube length | 554mm |
Fit and geometry
The 785 Huez features geometry that leans toward the stable side of traditional road racing figures. While it retains short chainstays and a relatively steep seat tube angle to keep power transfer direct on steep gradients, the front end is slightly more relaxed than a pure aerodynamic race bike. A generous trail figure hovering around 59mm across the size range yields steering that is predictable and composed, avoiding the twitchy sensations sometimes associated with dedicated climbing bikes.
Rider posture is dictated by a stack height that is noticeably taller than Look’s aggressive aero models, offering a slightly more upright position that helps mitigate lower back and neck strain on extended climbs. The semi-integrated cockpit uses a conventional two-piece bar and stem, which simplifies fit adjustments. Riders can easily swap stem lengths or handlebar widths without needing to bleed brakes or unthread internal hoses, making it straightforward to dial in a precise, comfortable fit for long days in the saddle.
Builds
The 785 Huez lineup spans three primary builds, all utilizing the same carbon frameset and threaded T47 bottom bracket. The entry point is a mechanical Shimano 105 12-speed build, which keeps costs down by pairing the reliable drivetrain with basic Shimano alloy wheels and an alloy Look cockpit.
Moving up the ladder, the mid-tier option upgrades to Shimano 105 Di2 electronic shifting and introduces Look's R38D carbon wheels, alongside a carbon seatpost. However, this build sits at a premium price point where it faces stiff competition from other brands offering higher-tier groupsets for similar money.
The flagship build features Shimano Ultegra Di2 and swaps the shallow rims for deeper Look R50D carbon wheels, adding aerodynamic efficiency for rolling terrain. All builds come equipped with compact 50/34 chainsets and wide 11-34 cassettes, providing the generous gearing necessary for sustained mountain ascents. While the stock tires are typically 25mm or 28mm, the frame easily accommodates 32mm rubber for riders looking to maximize the platform's inherent comfort.
Reviews
Reviewers consistently praise the 785 Huez for a ride quality that balances race-ready stiffness with remarkable long-distance comfort. Rather than feeling like a fragile, hyper-specialized climbing machine, the frame effectively mutes road chatter. One tester noted that Look managed to isolate high-frequency vibrations so well that they "felt no fatigue in my wrists or lower back" (Road.cc). Another tester rode the bike across France and reported "not one aching joint" (Cycling Weekly), highlighting its viability for endurance riding.
On descents and through corners, the bike earns high marks for its communicative and stable handling. The front end provides a "reassuringly high level of grip" (Cycling Weekly), allowing riders to carry speed through technical sections without feeling nervous. Power transfer is equally direct, with the stiff lower half of the frame ensuring the bike feels "planted as you are trying to get that power down" (Road.cc).
The primary tradeoff noted by testers is the frame weight. At roughly 980 grams for a medium, it is heavier than the lightest climbing frames on the market. Additionally, reviewers point out that the mid-tier builds struggle to compete on value against similarly equipped rivals, though the ride quality itself remains highly regarded.
