Look (company)
| Founded | 1951 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jean Beyl |
| Headquarters | Nevers , France |
Key people | Bernard Tapie |
| Products |
|
| Website | look-bindings |
Look, stylised as "LOOK", is a French company based in Nevers that has led the innovation of alpine skiing quick-release binding systems. The company later moved into cycling with innovations in clipless pedals and carbon fiber frames.
History
In 1948, engineer and inventor Jean Beyl, who owned a rubber manufacturing company, broke his leg skiing whilst wearing a ridgid ski binding which then brought him into the fledgling safety binding business. In 1950, Beyl invented the Look Nevada dual-pivot ski binding system.[1] The following year the Look company was founded, named after the American magazine Look. The 1962 Look Nevada II single-pivot ski binding design was the main influence for the company's bindings over the next 40 years.
Following Beyl's early designs of a clipless bicycle pedal, in 1983, Look was bought by French businessman Bernard Tapie, who created the professional cycling team La Vie Claire the following year. The first clipless pedals released by Look were the PP65. With the La Vie Claire team, Bernard Hinault won the 1985 Tour de France using PP65 pedals, helping secure the acceptance of clipless pedal systems which remains in widespread use today.[2] At the 1986 Tour, Greg LeMond rode a "Bernard Hinault" Signature Model Look prototype for his win of the race.[3] Look's pedal designs have been a source of inspiration for rival manfacturers ever since.
Look started manufacturing carbon bike frames in the late-1980s. In June 2016, Activa Capital became a majority shareholder in the company, together with Dominique Bergin and Thierry Fournier.[4][5]
Sponsorships
The top-tier professional cycling teams sponsored by Look include Kelme–Costa Blanca, Crédit Agricole, CSC–Tiscali and Cofidis.[6] Second-tier Continental cycling team [Fortuneo-Oscaro rode Look bikes from 2015 to 2018.[7] As of 2019, Look Cycle is sponsoring team Nippo–Delko–One Provence.[8][9]
Biliography
- Clemitson, Suze (2017). A History of Cycling in 100 Objects. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4729-1890-1.
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In the media
References
- ↑ Needham, Richard, ed. (September 2002). "The ski industry: Look launches Nevada toe". Skiing Heritage. The International Skiing History Association. 14 (3): 28.
- ↑ Smythe, Simon (7 April 2015). "Icons of cycling: Look's revolutionary clipless pedals". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ↑ "Héritage - Look Cycle - Pédales automatiques et vélos carbone". Look Cycle. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ↑ "Chez LOOK Cycle, l'innovation commande – Partenaires Libération" (in français). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ↑ "Le fonds Activa Capital reprend Look Cycle à Nevers". Les Echos (in français). 29 June 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ↑ Scott, George (10 April 2013). "Pro bike: Edwig Cammaerts' LOOK 695 SR". Road Cycling UK. Mpora. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ↑ "Fortuneo-Samsic et Look mettent fin prématurement à leur collaboration - Cyclisme". L'Équipe (in français). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ↑ "BIKES by Look". Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence (in français). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ↑ November 2018, Josh Evans 30. "Team Delko-Marseille Provence partner with Look for 2019". Cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
External links
- Look cycle facebook page
- Look cycle instagram page
- Look cycle on Strava Community
- Look cycle on linkedin
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