Please explain "LOOK" naming approach

Can anyone explain how LOOK name the frames in their range? Is there any pattern or logic? I can't find anything on their website, and it's hard to determine where a frame sits in the range. The 486 is more expensive than both the 555 and the 585 (Competitive Cyclist), so it's not as simple as "the higher the number the better the bike".

The current range is:
486 SE - High end with fancy paint job and matching carbon Ergopost
486 - LOOK's Premier frameset
585 - The latest sub 1kg offering which has rave reviews
481 SL - Successor to the 381 (Laurent Jalabert)
555 - Lightweight
461 - Compact geometry all round racing frame
386i - All purpose
KX Light - Diamond shaped tube, compact geometry
496 - Track bike

If anyone can spot a pattern here...please let me in on the secret.

 

I've wondered about the numbering scheme, too. No good ideas to offer, but am looking forward to any answers. Just curious - you mention rave reviews for the 585. Can you send a link for the review? Also, know of any reviews of the 555?

 

Yep, here's a recent one http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3487

It also won the Race bike of the Year in Cycling Weekly (about a month ago).

Haven't seen any 555 reviews, sorry.

 

there is also a 565 for their '06 range


same as the 585 but an alloy BB shell, so a little heavier
hopefully cheaper as i would love to ride a 585 or a 565

featured on the cyclingnews site from some trade show

 

I think I can spot a pattern..... maybe...

The first number is a "platform" revision;
- I think that all the frames that start with 3 all have alloy lugs, these would all be manufactured on the same line, only the geometry is different.
- I think all the 4XX bikes are have a mix of carbon lug and mocoque, again I think all the bikes in 4XX are made the same way
- I would guess that the 5XX bikes will be the next big thing?

The second number is the geometry/use X8X are all general road bikes, X6X is a compact frame, X9X is a track frame, X5X is a specialist climber,

The last number is the "position" in the range; 1 is lowest (engineers) and 6 is highest (merchant bankers).

The rest of the "SE", "i" "SL" and "KX light" malarky are all from the North America marketing division as numbered models don't work in the USA (marketing 101).
This also means that the 386i is the old platform with a slight upgrade.

I currently have a 381 which I'm pretty happy with - but now I'm holding out for a 986

 

The last number is the "position" in the range; 1 is lowest (engineers) and 6 is highest (merchant bankers).

LMAO!!! Good one!

 

595 isn't a track frame.

 

Eggzactly.