In June 2026, two legendary European bike brands released their most exciting superbikes of the year: the Eddy Merckx 525R and the Look 795 Blade RS 3. The Merckx arrived on June 17, promising a groundbreaking "geometry revolution," while the Look followed on June 30, boasting 350 fit combinations and a debut at the Tour de France. This guide offers a comprehensive comparison of these bikes, including their specs, prices, and the Campagnolo 13-speed connection. Plus, see how the Look performed at the 2026 Tour under Cofidis.

Forget the usual suspects like Specialized and Trek; these European stalwarts are setting new standards in 2026. Here's what you need to know to make an informed choice between them.

Key Highlights

- The Look 795 Blade RS 3 cuts its frame weight to 890 g (−160 g), boasts 15 watts saved at 50 kph, accommodates 34 mm tyres, and is still handcrafted in France. Prices range from €8,490 to €13,190, with the frameset at €4,990.

- The Eddy Merckx 525R offers a progressive geometry with steeper seat angles on larger frames (74.5°→76°) and claims 9% less drag than before. It's available from €6,499, nearly €2,000 less than the entry-level Look, and has been dubbed "the best aero road bike I've ever ridden" by BikeRadar.

- Both models are UDH-compatible, can fit 34 mm tyres, and feature Campagnolo Super Record 13 builds—the first 2x13 groupset available—making them leaders in the burgeoning 13-speed market.

- The Look earned its stripes on the race circuit with five Cofidis top-10 stage finishes at the 2026 Tour de France, including a podium spot on the fastest stage ever.

- In short: choose the Look for racing pedigree, lighter weight, and precision fit; opt for the Merckx for value, comfort-focused aero features, or a clean 1x13 build.

What's New in 2026: Europe's Big Launch Summer

To grasp the significance of these launches, consider the context of 2026, a pivotal moment for European road bikes.

In June 2025, Campagnolo introduced the Super Record 13, the first complete 2x13-speed road groupset, priced competitively at $4,750 / €4,300. By April 2026, they expanded the lineup with Record 13, the same 13-speed wireless platform at €2,700—about 37% cheaper—indicating the growth of a 13-speed ecosystem.

Then came the flurry of activity that frames this article. On June 17, 2026, Eddy Merckx released the 525R, a modern aero race bike with a unique geometry concept. Two weeks later, Look launched the 795 Blade RS 3, showcasing it at the Tour de France with the Cofidis WorldTour team. By late July, it had secured five top-10 Tour stage finishes.

Three shared design elements highlight the trajectory of road bikes in 2026:

• UDH compatibility on both frames, anticipating SRAM's direct-mount future.
• 34 mm tyre clearance, offering all-condition capability from race bikes, previously unimaginable on aero flagships.
• Campagnolo Super Record 13 builds on both, signaling the groupset's traction beyond Campagnolo's native market.

There's also a cultural shift at play. Both brands sell via online configurators (Look's "Your LOOK à la Carte" and the Eddy Merckx configurator), allowing buyers to customize groupset, wheels, and fit dimensions—a level of choice American brands have yet to match at this level. Heritage names, modern retail.

Look 795 Blade RS 3: Lighter, Faster, Handmade in France

Let's dive into the details of the Look 795 Blade RS 3. The new frame weighs a sleek 890 g in size M (Pro Team Black finish, ±5% tolerance) using Look's UD UHM carbon—a full 160 g lighter than its predecessor. The fork adds just 340 g and is available in three offsets. Complete bikes start at 6.9 kg in size M without pedals, and the frame comes with a lifetime warranty upon registration.

The aero claims are precise. Look states the bike-and-rider system saves 15 watts at 50 kph compared to the previous model, with consistent gains across 0–15 degrees of yaw. Under the Tour Magazin protocol, Look cites an estimated normalized aero drag of 205 W. While these are manufacturer figures, the invitation for independent verification suggests confidence in their claims.

Stiffness improvements are also notable. Look claims the bottom bracket and front end are 10% stiffer than the WorldTour average, complemented by patented flexible seatstays for added compliance. With a 34 mm tyre clearance front and rear, the RS 3 stands as a modern all-rounder in aero form: stiff for sprints, forgiving for longer rides, and capable on rough terrains.

A unique selling point: the frame is handcrafted in France. In a market where most carbon flagships are produced in a few Asian factories, this is a significant differentiator—offering provenance, oversight of the layup process, and a compelling story. Look, a pioneer in clipless pedals and carbon frames, embodies its heritage in the RS 3.

The groupset options are varied, including Shimano Ultegra Di2, Dura-Ace Di2, SRAM Force E1 AXS, and Campagnolo Super Record 2x13, with wheel choices like Look R45S, Mavic Comete 50, Fulcrum Speed 57, or Scope Artech 6.A. Four finishes are available: Silver Red, Pro Team Black, Iconic Prisme, and Orange Shift.

Pro tip: If resale value is important, opt for the Pro Team Black frameset, which has the quoted 890 g weight—finish choices can add real weight on painted flagships, so check with your dealer or Look's configurator for specific weights before ordering.

350 Ways to Fit: Look's à la Carte System Explained

The standout feature of the Look launch is not just aero—it's fit. Integrated-cockpit aero bikes often penalize those whose fit falls outside stock stem-and-bar combinations, as swapping the cockpit is costly and can ruin aero integration. Look's solution is the "Your LOOK à la Carte" configurator, offering more than 350 fit combinations at the point of order.

Here's the full matrix:

Six sizes with six dedicated geometries is noteworthy—many flagship platforms stretch four molds across the size range. With seven stems, five effective bar widths, 50 mm of stack adjustment, two seatpost offsets, and three fork offsets, the chances of replicating a professional bike fit exactly on the RS 3—without aftermarket parts—are higher than on almost any integrated aero bike available today.

Before getting carried away by the configurator, do your homework. Checklist: before you order any configurator superbike

1. Get a current professional bike fit—or at least measure your existing bike's saddle height, saddle setback, and saddle-to-bar reach and drop.
2. Convert your fit to the brand's stack and reach, not seat-tube length. Six geometries mean the "usual" size may not be yours.
3. Match bar width to your shoulders, not habit—the 380 mm option is aerodynamically faster, but only if you can manage the bike comfortably.
4. Choose spacers honestly. Ordering a slammed setup you can't sustain for long rides defeats the purpose of the system.
5. Confirm the return/exchange policy on fit parts before finalizing—configurator bikes are built to order, and policies vary from floor stock.

Eddy Merckx 525R: The Cannibal's Aero Rebirth

The Eddy Merckx 525R signifies the brand's commitment to engineering, not just nostalgia. The high-modulus carbon frame weighs 952 g in size M—62 g heavier than the Look, but not significantly so. Its aero package is thoroughly modern, featuring a down tube shaped like the latest aero platforms, an asymmetric fork, a diffuser in the fork crown, and a deep head tube. Eddy Merckx claims these features reduce aerodynamic drag by 9% compared to its predecessor.

The details make the 525R intriguing. The frame is UDH-compatible, and the front-derailleur hanger is removable for a clean 1x13 build—acknowledging the direction of Campagnolo's 13-speed ecosystem. Tyre clearance is around 34 mm (some sources quote more; 34 mm is the safe figure). The headset features CeramicSpeed SLT bearings with a lifetime warranty—a premium choice addressing the common failure point on integrated-cable bikes, where a bearing swap can require re-cabling the entire front end.

Independent verification was swift. BikeRadar reviewed the Ultegra Di2 build, measuring 7.87 kg for a size L with Forza Skiron CR38 wheels and Vittoria Corsa Pro 30c TLR tyres, concluding with a remark every product manager dreams of: "the best aero road bike I've ever ridden." The same review highlighted the €6,999 Ultegra Di2 build—including carbon wheels and a carbon integrated cockpit—as excellent value, which it truly is at this market level.

Two caveats provide balance. First, the 7.87 kg measured weight is nearly a kilo more than the Look's 6.9 kg claimed starting weight—different builds and sizes, but the Look is clearly lighter. Second, the 525R's boldest feature isn't its tubes—it's the geometry, which could be either the smartest idea of 2026 or a solution in search of a problem, depending on who you ask. More on this later.

Pro tip: If you're considering the 1x13 route, the removable FD hanger allows for a clean setup—pair it with Campagnolo's wider 13-speed cassettes (up to 11-36) for a usable range without a front derailleur.

The "Geometry Revolution": Marketing or Breakthrough?

Here is the 525R's standout concept: a size-dependent progressive seat angle that gets steeper as frames increase in size—74.5° (XS), 75° (S/M), 76° (L). This is contrary to road-bike convention, where seat angles have traditionally slackened with size. Combined with longer reach, less saddle setback, and a lower bottom bracket, this design aims to position riders—especially taller ones—forward for a more aerodynamic hip position without extreme cockpit adjustments.

Published geometry, size by size:

The logic is sounder than most marketing pitches. Taller riders on conventional geometry sit far behind the bottom bracket, which opens the hip angle at the top of the pedal stroke but forces a longer, lower stretch to the bars. Steepening the seat angle moves the rider forward over the cranks—similar to time-trial bikes—allowing for an aero back angle with a less extreme cockpit. The consistent 73° head angle and 407 mm chainstays across sizes are designed to maintain consistent handling across heights.

The counterargument, highlighted by Rouleur at launch, raises valid questions: is this a revolution, or has the Cannibal's brand overreached? Critics point out that a rider's fit ultimately determines saddle position, not the frame's marketing—riders frequently adjust saddles forward on conventional frames—and that "progressive" geometry mostly re-centers the adjustment range rather than unlocking new positions. There is no independent data yet showing the geometry's speed benefits for real buyers.

A fair verdict: the idea is coherent, execution is real (embedded in the molds, not a seatpost trick), and early ride reviews are positive—but treat "revolution" as a direction, not proven physics. If your current fit is already forward with minimal setback, the 525R's geometry will feel like the bike finally aligns with you. If you prefer a rearward position, size carefully and test-fit first.

Head-to-Head: Look 795 Blade RS 3 vs Eddy Merckx 525R

Compare the spec sheets, and the philosophical differences become clear: the Look is refinement—the third iteration of a proven platform, made lighter, faster, and more adjustable—whereas the Merckx is reinvention, a new platform breaking conventions for speed.

From the table, three key differences emerge. Weight: the Look platform is significantly lighter—62 g at the frame, and roughly a kilo between the complete-bike figures (claimed vs measured, but the trend is clear). Fit philosophy: Look allows precise replication of your existing fit with 350+ combinations; Merckx alters the "right" fit concept. Price: the Merckx starts nearly €2,000 lower and its flagship is priced slightly below the Look's in every currency.

What the table can't convey: the Look boasts a WorldTour race record as of July 2026; the Merckx holds the year's most enthusiastic review quote. Pedigree versus verdict. Neither is incorrect.

Both Bet on Campagnolo 13-Speed — Here's Why That Matters

Both bikes headline the same groupset for a reason. Campagnolo Super Record 13 is the first complete 2x13-speed road groupset available, making these two bikes among the few you can order with it factory-fitted—effectively making them the flagship models of the 13-speed ecosystem. If you've been searching for a Campagnolo 13-speed bike, this is the shortlist.

The groupset itself merits attention. It weighs 2,445 g—75 g lighter than the 12-speed Super Record Wireless it replaces—and at $4,750 / €4,300 / £3,900 without a power meter, it launched $650 cheaper than its predecessor, aligning in price with Dura-Ace Di2 and SRAM Red. For Campagnolo, historically the expensive romantic choice, price parity is a strategic shift, removing the last rational excuse not to consider them.

The 13th sprocket offers real versatility. There are four cassettes (10-29, 10-33, 11-32, 11-36, on the N3W freehub) and seven chainring combinations (45/29 through 55/39), all cross-compatible—allowing one derailleur setup to cover everything from alpine gran fondo gearing to a 55/39 race setup. Batteries last about 750 km per charge and recharge in 1 hour (90% in 45 minutes). Adding Campagnolo's HPPM power meter costs around €1,100–1,167 depending on purchase timing, with power-meter builds starting around €5,399 / $5,899.

The ecosystem question—"will 13-speed survive or leave me stranded?"—was answered in April 2026, when Campagnolo introduced Record 13: the same 13-speed wireless platform at €2,700 (2,783 g claimed), about 37% cheaper than Super Record. Platforms don't get a second, cheaper tier unless the first one is selling. Thirteen-speed is expanding, not retreating.

Decision rule for buyers: choose the Super Record 13 build if you want the widest gearing flexibility on one derailleur, mechanical excellence to last a decade, and exclusivity neither Shimano nor SRAM can offer. Stick with Ultegra/Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM if your local dealer network is more crucial than distinctiveness—Campagnolo service points remain less common, a trade-off for the brand.

Pricing and Builds: Every Configuration Compared

Competitor launch coverage obscured prices in text. Here is every published build for both bikes in one table, EUR first with GBP/USD where available:

Three observations for buyers. First, the value gap at entry level is significant: the 525R's €6,999 Ultegra Di2 build—with carbon wheels and an integrated carbon cockpit—costs roughly €1,500 less than the equivalent entry Look. If your budget maxes out around €7,000, the choice is nearly made for you.

Second, at the flagship level, prices converge—€13,190 versus €12,999—and both are more affordable than the ~£13,500+ typical of top-spec Tarmac SL8 and Madone builds. Europe's heritage brands offer a rational-value option at the superbike level.

Third, the limited editions tell different stories. Look's Iconic Prisme Replica (50 units, full Cofidis Tour spec with Campagnolo Super Record wireless, Bora WTO 60 Ultra Team wheels, and special-edition Keo Blade pedals, 7.1 kg) is priced at the very top at €13,990—a collector's item. Merckx's 525R Launch Edition (100 units) is priced at €6,999, near the bottom of the range—celebration spec for many, not the few. Both approaches reflect each brand's perception of their buyer.

Proven at the 2026 Tour de France

Launch claims are easy to make; results are earned. The 795 Blade RS 3's timing—unveiled just before the Grand Départ—meant it was racing in the 2026 Tour de France with the Cofidis team almost immediately, leaving with a record no launch-day article could predict.

The bike had already tasted victory before the Tour: Alex Aranburu won a stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour on the RS 3 in June 2026, shortly after its debut. At the Tour, sprinter Milan Fretin showcased the bike. He took 8th on stage 5, then achieved 3rd on the fastest Tour de France stage ever ridden—following Jasper Philipsen's relegation—and finished with 9th on the Champs-Élysées. In total, Cofidis secured five top-10 stage finishes over three weeks.

Honest framing is key: it's a strong debut, not a fairytale—the RS 3 still awaits its first Tour stage win. But podium pace on the fastest stage in Tour history is a compelling aero validation for a sprinter's bike in its first month.

Fretin's race bike provides a reality check on available specs. His Tour bike weighed 7.14 kg—heavier than the 6.9 kg catalogue claim, due to power meters and deep wheels—built with Campagnolo Super Record 13 (54/39 chainrings, 10-33 cassette, 170 mm cranks), Look Keo Blade Power pedals, Campagnolo Bora WTO 45 wheels, Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 28 mm tyres, and a Selle Italia Flite saddle. Notably, this is essentially the consumer Super Record 13 build with team wheels—not an unattainable prototype. The €13,990 Iconic Prisme Replica is designed to sell that spec, 50 times over.

Pro tip: Pro bikes using 28 mm tyres on a frame that clears 34 mm suggests something—the racers prioritize aero integration at race speeds, but the clearance is there for you to use 30–32 mm at lower pressures for real-world conditions without sacrificing the frame's design intent.

Which One Should You Buy? A Decision Framework

Strip away the heritage allure, and the choice boils down to a few honest questions. Work through them in order.

Choose the Look 795 Blade RS 3 if:

• [ ] You race, or want a bike with current WorldTour pedigree (five Tour top-10s in its first month)
• [ ] Weight matters—890 g frame, 6.9 kg complete is the lighter platform by a clear margin
• [ ] You have an exacting, professionally-set fit you want replicated—350+ configurator combinations and six dedicated geometries make it the fit-precision champion
• [ ] Provenance is part of the purchase—handcrafted in France is a story no mass-produced flagship can tell
• [ ] Your budget starts at €8,490 and can stretch toward €13,190

Choose the Eddy Merckx 525R if:

• [ ] Value leads your decision—€6,499 entry, and the €6,999 Ultegra Di2 build with carbon wheels and cockpit is arguably 2026's best aero-bike deal
• [ ] You sit—or want to sit—in a forward, aero-forward position: the progressive geometry is built around exactly that rider
• [ ] You want a clean 1x13 build—the removable FD hanger makes it the better one-by platform
• [ ] A glowing independent review ("best aero road bike I've ever ridden"—BikeRadar) reassures you more than race results
• [ ] Long-term serviceability details like the lifetime-warranty CeramicSpeed headset appeal to the engineer in you

Choose neither if: you need a dealer on every corner (the Tarmac SL8/Madone establishment still wins on network and resale liquidity), you ride a slack, rearward fit and won't test-ride the Merckx's geometry first, or your real budget is under €6,000—at that point, last year's discounted flagships beat this year's full-price newcomers.

And if you're torn at the flagship level: both Super Record 13 builds cost within €200 of each other. Let the fit philosophy decide—precision replication (Look) versus positional reinvention (Merckx)—because the aero and the drivetrain are, for practical purposes, a wash.

The bottom line: June 2026 gave road cycling its most interesting fortnight in years, and neither bike came from the brands that usually dominate the conversation. The Look 795 Blade RS 3 is the refinement play: 160 g lighter, 15 claimed watts faster, 350 ways to fit, handmade in France, and already carrying Tour de France podium pace after five Cofidis top-10s. The Eddy Merckx 525R is the reinvention play: a geometry that breaks convention on purpose, a 9% drag claim, the year's most enthusiastic independent review, and pricing that makes the establishment look expensive.

Both are UDH-ready, both clear 34 mm tyres, and both put Campagnolo's 13-speed future on the road today—which means whichever you choose, you're buying into where European road bikes in 2026 are actually heading rather than where they've been. Run the decision framework above honestly: if it's pedigree, precision fit, and grams, it's the Look; if it's value, a forward fit, and engineering novelty, it's the Merckx. Either way, the old houses of Europe just proved they can still set the pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the Look 795 Blade RS 3 cost? A: Complete bikes range from €8,490 / £7,990 / $9,700 (Shimano Ultegra Di2 with Look R45S wheels) to €13,190 / £12,390 / $15,290 (Campagnolo Super Record 13 with Scope Artech 6.A wheels). The frameset costs €4,990 in any of four finishes, or €5,780 / £4,750 with the full Look cockpit. The 50-unit Iconic Prisme Replica in Cofidis Tour spec is €13,990 / £13,299 / $15,500.

Q: What's new on the 795 Blade RS 3 versus the previous 795 Blade RS? A: The frame drops 160 g to a claimed 890 g (size M) in new UD UHM carbon, Look claims 15 watts saved at 50 kph for the bike-and-rider system with consistent gains from 0–15° of yaw, tyre clearance grows to 34 mm, the frame gains UDH compatibility, and the à la Carte configurator now offers more than 350 fit combinations across six dedicated geometries.

Q: What is the Eddy Merckx 525R's progressive geometry? A: The 525R's seat angle steepens as frames get bigger—74.5° (XS), 75° (S/M), 76° (L)—the opposite of convention, combined with longer reach, less saddle setback, and a lower bottom bracket. The goal is to rotate riders, especially taller ones, forward into a faster hip position without extreme cockpit drops. The logic is sound and early reviews are strong, but no independent data yet proves it faster for real-world buyers.

Q: How heavy are the Look 795 Blade RS 3 and Eddy Merckx 525R? A: The Look's frame is a claimed 890 g (size M) with a 340 g fork, and complete bikes start at 6.9 kg claimed (size M, no pedals). The Merckx frame is a claimed 952 g (size M), and BikeRadar measured a size L Ultegra Di2 build at 7.87 kg. For reference, Milan Fretin's fully race-equipped Tour de France Look weighed 7.14 kg.

Q: Which 2026 road bikes come with Campagnolo Super Record 13? A: The Look 795 Blade RS 3 (€13,190 with Scope Artech 6.A wheels) and the Eddy Merckx 525R (€12,999 with Bora wheels) are the two highest-profile complete bikes shipping factory-fitted with the first 2x13 road groupset. Super Record 13 itself costs $4,750 / €4,300 standalone, weighs a claimed 2,445 g, and offers four cassettes and seven chainring combos, all cross-compatible.

Q: Which pro team races the Look 795 Blade RS 3? A: Cofidis debuted it at the 2026 Tour de France days after launch. The team took five top-10 stage finishes, highlighted by Milan Fretin's elevated 3rd place on the fastest Tour stage ever ridden, plus his 8th on stage 5 and 9th on the Champs-Élysées. Alex Aranburu had already won a Baloise Belgium Tour stage on the bike in June 2026.

Q: Can I run wide tyres on these bikes? A: Yes—both clear approximately 34 mm front and rear. Cofidis raced the Look on 28 mm Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres at the Tour, leaving plenty of headroom for 30–32 mm rubber at lower pressures for everyday roads.

Q: Is the Eddy Merckx 525R good value against a Tarmac SL8 or Trek Madone? A: On paper, emphatically. The €6,999 Ultegra Di2 build includes carbon wheels and a carbon integrated cockpit—a spec that typically costs well over €8,000 from major American brands—and the €12,999 Super Record 13 flagship undercuts typical £13,500+ Tarmac SL8/Madone flagship pricing. What you give up is dealer-network density and the resale liquidity of a mainstream badge.