Review of the 2024 Look 795 Blade RS

The 2024 version of the Look 795 Blade RS represents a radical departure from its predecessors, with the goal of reducing weight and increasing versatility. The French brand’s aero road bike remains extremely stiff and high-performing on all terrains, but you’ll need to be in good physical shape to get the most out of it. By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©Vincent Lyky

The new Look 795 Blade RS was first spotted in early 2023 with riders from the World Tour team Cofidis, before going on sale a few months later. According to Look, this bike is more aerodynamic than the previous model we tested in 2021, and it’s also slightly lighter to offer greater versatility on all terrains. This is particularly true in the mountains, as the new Blade RS is used by Cofidis riders on every stage of the Tour de France. Compared to the previous Blade RS, the most notable difference lies in the seatstays, which are positioned fairly low on the seat tube to improve aerodynamic flow, featuring particularly pronounced edges. The other major new feature is the handlebar setup, which looks almost exactly like a one-piece unit, even though it’s made in two parts—with a stem or handlebars whose dimensions can theoretically be adjusted in a shop. The brake hoses are, of course, perfectly integrated, as on all modern bikes.

The tubes also feature a slightly less bulky profile, but are designed to slice through the air while offering less resistance to crosswinds. The D-shaped Look Aero Post 4 Carbon seat tube and seatpost are characteristic of this evolution, with a clamp positioned on top of the top tube—a practical and accessible design. The down tube and head tube are also slightly thinner than on the previous Blade RS, with much more conventional shapes.

Only the bottom bracket has become slightly larger, with its upper section coming close to the bottom of the bottle cage mounted on the seat tube, in order to optimise stiffness and airflow around this part of the frame.

Stiffness and comfort The Blade RS frame certainly doesn’t lack stiffness, thanks in particular to the use of ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber and a layup carefully engineered to reinforce high-stress areas while lightening the parts under less stress. The result: a frame weighing around 900 g, representing a 10% weight reduction compared to the previous version.

Vibration damping was also a key focus during the frame’s design and the placement of the carbon layers. The new shape of the seat stays provides some flexibility to the seat tube, which enhances comfort and improves the bike’s handling on rough surfaces. The nearly straight top tube also contributes to this feel. Finally, the geometry is designed to provide stability at high speeds, with a head angle that’s slightly more laid-back than on competing models—at least in size S, like our test bike. On the other hand, the seat tube angle is quite upright (74.5° across all sizes) and the head tube is relatively low, promoting an aggressive, forward-leaning riding position. The Look Blade RS is a comfortable and confidence-inspiring bike, but it’s still a race bike—longer and lower in the front than its predecessor. Five sizes are available, from XS to XL, with four color options for the frame kit (priced at €5,390 with seatpost and handlebar), and one color option per build. The top-of-the-line version of our test model retails for €11,490 with a SRAM Red AXS groupset and Look R50D carbon wheels. Versions with Shimano Dura-Ace and Campagnolo Super Record EPS are also available.

Top-of-the-line groupset The SRAM Red AXS groupset, featuring the new ergonomic brake/shifter levers and significantly improved braking, pairs with the 795 Blade RS frame to deliver an exceptional riding experience. Shifting is precise and fast, and braking is powerful, responsive, and quiet. The bike comes equipped with 50- and 37-tooth chainrings, paired with a 12-speed cassette ranging from 10 to 33 teeth. This wide range of gear ratios is designed to handle a variety of situations, although I personally would have preferred a 10-28 cassette (also available from SRAM), which would be more than sufficient for the Paris region with tighter spacing between each sprocket. Note that the bike does not come with a power meter on the crankset, as is often the case with bikes equipped with this groupset.

As for the wheelset, Look has just sold Corima, a company it had owned for several years. The brand’s bikes are therefore no longer offered with the French wheels, but instead come with an “in-house” setup consisting of 50-mm-high carbon rims and DT Swiss 370 hubs with 24 spokes on both the front and rear. These entry-level carbon wheels don’t let riders fully benefit from the weight savings achieved on the frame and groupset compared to the Blade RS we tested in 2021, which was equipped with the higher-end Corima WS wheels. The bike is equipped with 28 mm Continental GP 5000S TR tubeless tires, which, unfortunately, are fitted with basic inner tubes. As a result, our test bike weighs in at 7.530 kg in size S, without pedals but with two bottle cages, as well as the dedicated computer mount included with the bike. The good news is that the 795 Blade RS can still be optimised to weigh around 7.2 kg by modifying the drivetrain, starting with a tubeless setup (a weight savings of about 140 g) or by swapping out the wheels for mountain riding, for example.

On the Road with the Look Blade RS On flat terrain, the new version of the 795 Blade RS lives up to its reputation. It’s an efficient bike that allows you to reach and maintain a good average speed without having to exert too much effort. In the seated position, it’s stiff and stable, and it doesn’t feel like even the slightest bit of energy is being wasted while pedaling, whether you’re riding at a high cadence or in a high gear. But the bike isn’t completely locked up either—it doesn’t feel like a lifeless piece of wood when you slow down to a more leisurely pace. I even found myself lingering in gears that were a bit too big on slight inclines while chatting with my riding partner, without feeling completely stuck, as can happen on some overly high-end bikes.

The Look 795 Blade RS is an efficient bike that lets you reach and maintain a good average speed without having to exert too much effort.

Acceleration is always crisp and responsive thanks to the bike’s overall stiffness and, more specifically, the firmness of the handlebar area—which is extremely reassuring when gripping the handlebars from below or with your hands on the brake levers. The wheelset also holds up well under heavy loads, but falls a bit short in terms of responsiveness due to its weight and tyres that aren’t as rolling-efficient as they could be with a tubeless setup.

On climbs, the 795 Blade RS performs quite well for an aero bike. It’s very stiff, but rarely restrictive as long as you maintain good body coordination, especially when standing up on the pedals. When climbing in a group, the wheelset feels fairly neutral, and it’s only when changing pace frequently that they become somewhat of a hindrance due to their inertia. On steep gradients, the bike lacks the “playful” feel of some competing models, with a very stiff front end and, above all, a steering angle that prioritizes stability. As a result, it’s difficult to benefit from any sort of spring-like effect that would help with passing through the top and bottom dead centers of the pedal stroke on steep climbs while standing on the pedals.

The 795 Blade RS really shines on descents and on flat sections tackled at high speed, where its stability works wonders. The bike feels incredibly stable and ultimately saves you a lot of energy on fast rides by eliminating the need for frequent course corrections. In turns, it tracks precisely, aided by effective vibration damping that prevents it from bouncing over small bumps in the road.

After all, its comfort is ultimately its most surprising feature for a bike of this type. It’s not specifically designed for cobblestones, but it nonetheless gives the sensation that you’re constantly riding on a soft carpet, regardless of the road surface. And to wrap up on this topic, I particularly appreciated the ergonomics of the handlebar setup, with a slight drop and a design that provides a secure grip at the bottom of the handlebars and a stable hold during descents or in any situation where good control of the bike is necessary.

The Look 795 Blade RS: a bike designed for performance While retaining its character compared to the previous version, the new 795 Blade RS has improved in several areas. It remains a performance-oriented bike, but is easier to ride at a sustained, steady pace, thanks to its high yet controlled stiffness and improved aerodynamics. The weight reduction is also significant, with the complete bike weighing about 300 g less when equipped identically. The geometry is also more aggressive and ideal for riders accustomed to riding in a speed-oriented position. However, comfort remains at a high level, and above all, the bike impresses with its unwavering stability at high speeds. Personally, that’s the quality that impressed me the most after riding a few hundred kilometers on it.

The new LOOK 795 BLADE RS in brief…

Pros: stability, stiffness, comfort, finish Cons: wheelset is a bit heavy

FRAME: 795 Blade RS ultra-high-modulus carbon – FORK: 795 Blade RS – WHEELSET: Look R50D – TIRES: Continental GP 5000S TR 700×28 mm – CRANKSET: Sram Red AXS 50-37 – CASSETTE: Sram Red AXS 12-speed 10-33 – DERAILLEURS: SRAM Red AXS – BRAKES: SRAM Red AXS, 160/140 mm rotors – BRAKE LEVERS: SRAM Red AXS – HANDLEBAR: Look Combo Aero Carbon – STEM: Look Combo Aero Carbon – SEAT POST: Look Aeropost 4 – SADDLE: Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow Carbon – SIZES AVAILABLE: 5 – WEIGHT: 7.530 kg in size S (without pedals but with bottle cages) – PRICE: €11,490