There’s a silver bullet in the front window at Above Category. It’s dusty, and maybe just a little tired after 2,000 hard miles in Marin. It’s faster, stiffer, stronger than nearly every bike in its class.
Pretty much everyone pauses when they walk in the door. “I’ve never seen one of those…”
Until last January, I hadn’t either. That is to say, Look’s purebred race machine: the 795 Blade. .
^Chads 795 Blade RS after 2k miles
I’m not new to the marque. In the late 80’s this pro triathlete sold me his KG96 – a lugged carbon design that offered pro-level performance and durability way ahead of its time. It was a race frame, and the first real bike I owned. But it was a quick fling, and my cycling obsession expanded to hundreds of frames and brands over the next 35 years. For no particular reason, I never looked back.
That changed in March when we began a 6 month deep dive the 795 Blade.
My 2k Take...
This is a purpose-built platform. Visually aggressive. Aero-first geometry made for maximum watt efficiency. It’s a hammer-down superbike. And it’s definitely not for everyone.
First, the early skepticism about looks, integration, and form factor fades fast. While this is one of the stiffest race bikes I’ve ever spent real time on, it can be way toned down by tire/wheel combo. And third, for the right rider, this bike will be a serious weapon.
But more than anything, the Blade RS has a feeling…a taut unrelenting sharpness that turns power into precision, and speed into something maybe a little too addictive.
Initial Impressions vs. Long-Term Reality
When I hit go on the Blade RS, I shared a common concern with some reddit trolls: the lines looked engineered to a fault. There isn’t much softness from the profile.
The Trolls are right. In the best possible way. Blade is equal parts showpiece and super weapon. Actually, I think this is one of the most beautiful production bikes around. Fast and tight. Just a bit sexy with all the alure that keeps you coming back for more. And she rides great.
There’s a distinct moment (somewhere around ride 3 or 4) when the stiffness stops feeling severe and starts to level out. The frame tightens the feedback loop between your legs and the road. When you push, it jumps. When you carve, it tracks.
September 2025 Update: I did most of my early miles testing the new Lightweight Milenstein ARTs before they were released in July. That’s when this blog was drafted. Wheel combo/tire is a massive factor in ride feeling, and on later setups the overall feeling is substantially softer.
Blade RS is…stiff
So if you’re not riding fast, your wasting it’s time. Out-of-saddle efforts, long threshold pulls, accelerations out of corners… Blade responds instantly. On rougher roads, that can be felt, especially through the rear triangle. I wouldn’t say it’s outrageously harsh, but very stiff. Definitely not the frame for floating over chipseal at 19 mph. This is a race bike, full stop.
If this bike were a car? Think McLaren 765LT. Not soft or vague or for everyone. But Razor sharp and relentlessly fast. The Blade RS, like the McLaren, isn’t trying to be plush and comfortable… it’s engineered to deliver an experience for riders who know how to handle it.
Climbing Performance
The Blade RS has a reputation as an “aero-climber,” and after months of testing, I’d agree. It’s not the lightest frame out there, but the efficiency through the drivetrain more than compensates. When you put power into the pedals, it translates directly to forward motion. There’s no lag or softness. On long tempo climbs, it feels steady and connected, almost like a subtle resistance to being slowed down. That makes it mentally easy to stay on the gas.
Handling and Geometry
It’s long and low. That’s not a combo you slam together and expect instant comfort. So you’ll want a professional fit for this bike. Once dialed, though, Blade offers precise handling that becomes intuitive at speed. It’s surgical. And when you decide to stand and surge, there’s zero squirm.
The front end has just enough weight to feel anchored, especially in coastal crosswinds. Add 28-30mm tires and the ride becomes surprisingly composed for how aggressive the geometry is.
Integration and Adjustability
Integration on internally routed bikes is usually frustrating. But Look’s approach with the 795 Blade RS is completely modular. They call it the ADS stem, a two-piece cockpit design that looks as good (if not better) than most integrated cockpits, but with all the functional upsides of an independent stem+ bar setup. I think it’s fantastic.
Comfort-wise: it feels solid in the drops and the tops, so I never felt compromised on longer rides. For a bike this aggressive, the contact points are surprisingly welcoming.
That said, the seatpost has a reputation for being difficult to set up, and I can see why if you’re running a solid saddle (The extra effort was worth it for my Wove Mags) But if you use a cutaway model, which comes stock, the install is straightforward. The post locks in cleanly and holds its position. Not a dealbreaker either way, but worth knowing going in.
Like any integrated system, you give up a little flexibility, and parts won’t be hanging on the wall at your average shop. But once it’s dialed, the whole setup feels tight, clean, and cohesive. For a race bike with this level of stiffness and intent, that’s exactly what you want.
For the Above Category Rider
If you’re looking for a smooth, forgiving cruiser, this isn’t your frame. We can temper the stiffness a bit (for example a Rene Hearse Orondo Grade (Extra Light) which is probably the most supple tire on the market.) Still, Blade is for riders who like feedback, sharp handling, and brutal efficiency. It transmits every watt and every bit of your own form.
Final Thoughts
So Look’s 795 Blade RS is not an everyman bike. It’s for riders who want performance first and who appreciate a frame that demands as much as it gives. After 2,000 miles, I’m confident saying it’s one of the most focused and responsive race bikes we’ve had through the AC doors.
Sharp, fast, unapologetically stiff. If that’s your language, this bike speaks it fluently.
Let me know if you’re ready to build one.
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