the new look

HOW much would you expect to pay for the ultimate in bicycles? $10,000? $20,000?

Try $33,500. That is how much it will set you back for the top-of-the-line Look 496, a state of the art speed demon complete with onboard computer.

That sort of money could buy some other excellent transport alternatives like the Wheels Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Golf, which starts at $25,990.

Yet Parramatta bicycle store The Bike Barn believes the marvel of cycling engineering, imported from France, is worth every cent.

Owner Geoff Stoker is stocking the bicycle, and said it is designed for maximum velocity.

``The 100 hours it takes to manufacture the frame makes it special and exceptional,’’ he said of the Look factory masterpiece.

The bicycle’s light (about 7kg) and narrow frame and has been used by some of the world’s top speed cyclists in international competition.

Frenchman Kevin Sireau, for example, rode one when he recorded the fastest ever 200m 9.65sec. For the statisticians, he recorded an average speed 74.6km/h, and accelerated from 0-60km/h in eight seconds.

The bike is made of the best parts money can buy . . . from France, Germany and Italy.

``The width of the frame is like a blade, it cuts through the air,’’ Stoker said. ``Then there is the information you get back from the crank (computer) system.

``It can track data to .1sec. Wattage, power, you can monitor everything.’‘

Similarly, the Mavic wheels have won more than 80 per cent of medals on all tracks around the world since the 1996 Olympics.

In short, it’s the best of the best lightning fast, strong, and with a built-in computer with a memory capacity to store 130 hours of riding broken down into one-second intervals.

Sound impressive? Then compare that with the Volkswagen Golf, which will get you around just as quickly, and you won’t get wet when it rains.

We asked Parramatta Advertiser motoring writer Chris Riley for his thoughts.

His reply . . .``30 grand and you still have to pedal!’‘

``The Golf is a fantastic car and amazing value for the money,’’ Riley said. ``It’s one of the most popular cars in the world and one of the safest too. And for that money you get a lot of add-ons.

``If I was in the market for a new car, it’d be at the top of my list.’‘