mustang1

I mean, tell me its a good frame. But dont tell me it's better than a high end Specialized or Trek or Cervelo or Look etc.

Pharmr

it's a good frame, but I won't tell you it's better than a high end Specialized or Trek or Cervelo or Look etc.



how was that?

Sprocket Man

There are several models of Lemond frames. Which specific one were you referring to?

eriksbliss

Has someone actually told you that?

yuanja

Lemond Zurich, old stock from the early 90s with the 853 tubing was a good frame.
It's better than the a high end Specialized or Trek or Cevelo or Look etc of the same year.

TP_Mantis

How good is the Lemond Tourmelet (sp?)?

teterider

There is nothing particularly better or worse than most other frames. But there are some fine standouts such as the aforementioned 853 steel frames. The full titanium models are also excellent rides, but so of course are most of the well known titanium brands. The Proprad is very well regarded. And of course, but I'm biased, the titanium and OCLV carbon spine frames are brilliant - proved in some part by how well Team Saturn did on it their last year in existence in 2003, first year of this frame. Then again Team Saturn probably could have won on tricycles they were so powerful.

Chris Horner and Tom Danielson ruled the US roads on the Tete De Course in 2003.

longbeachgary

I'm not even sure what "better" means.

zatopek

I've got a talented, knowledgeable amigo who rides this rig and swears it is the cat's pajamas.

aloysius

I understand that they tend to have longer top tubes, which makes them very good frames for riders (like myself) with proportionally longer torsos and shorter legs.

Gambutrol

They were made by trek and could really hold their own back in the steel days, but now they are no longer supported and are mostly just for riders who like the font on the downtube.

trojanman

In my opinion, it was one of the best production steel bike frames on the market. (full 853 models)
I have had 2 and still ride one of them as a rainy day bike.
It's a modern day tank though at 21 lbs.

127.0.0.1

it is not junk if that is what u mean.

Hunt-man

I really like my Tete de Course. I was also looking at the 6.9 Pro Madone. Bad back made me like the taller head tube on the LeMond. Really liking is so far, 2.5 months into riding it.

Walter

LeMonds were (are) marketed on their geometry. Greg LeMond has some ideas on geometry such as the relatively long toptubes (mentioned above) coupled with "relaxed" seat tube angles that may well make his bikes a comfortable fit when others seem cramped. Also, I agree with his idea that the relaxed seat tube puts you "behind" the pedals a bit more and allows for a more powerful stroke but I'm a Clydesdale by cycling standards and prefer to mash anyways.

LeMond's ideas are not revolutionary. Merckx frames were (are?) built with a similar philosophy.

I have a 853 Maillot Jaune and like it quite alot. It's not as stiff as my Litespeed Ultimate but still transfers power to the rear wheel quite well. Very smooth ride.

mustang1

Yeah, that's what I figured. But then again I'm a sucker for Specialized even though at some point in the future, they might end up like the Borg (Trek).

teterider

Yes he does, but Trek didn't use any of his geometry traits except for the long top tube relative to frame size. Trek commonly used steep head tubes with 45mm rake forks for super quick handling (trail around 53mm). Meanwhile Greg's bikes actually had trails in the low 60's, considered very slow today. However Greg preferred predictable input steering especially going down Alp passes. As for the seat tube, well some sizes had 72.5 which can be considered somewhat slack, but otherwise they are no different than every other bike out there.
(all of this comes from various interviews from Greg, and an actual report and specific specs on his race bike that Bicycling Magazine got their hands on in 1992)

Trek used the "Lemond Geometry" as a marketing tool all the time, when in fact it was bogus. In reality though the full-on true Lemond geometry probably wasn't suited for mass market but they shouldn't have gone so low with the frame trails.

gettingold

it was made without the use of performance enhancing drugs.

Randallissimo

I have an 07 carbon Zurich. Can any tell me how that frame stacks up against the older steel?

mollusk

I have a 2002 Lemond Zurich bike (Reynolds 835) and for me the geometry is very good., but I am one of those long torso/short legs guys. I do have to say that with 9-speed Ultegra of the same era it is a pretty hefty ride even with a Fizik Arione replacing the POS stock saddle. It is still race worthy and I do. I like it because the headtube is very short so I can get a lot of saddle-to-bar drop. I'd be hard pressed to get the same "off the rack" with almost any other bike without going to enormously long stems on a smaller frame.

FIVE ONE SIX

me personally, i can't stand the whole "this is better than that" talk. the bottom line, it's not the bike, it's the engine!

MONGO!

You don't say...

Mose

I've got a LeMond Victoire titanium frame that I like a whole lot because it fits me and hasn't broken yet.

So in that regard, it is better than any other high end frame that doesn't fit me. But to tell you the truth, I'm so insensitive to things like that I don't really notice the frame much as long as it fits and holds me up. And weighs less than, say, a cinder block.

hendrick81

Its whatever fits your needs best. Lemond made great bikes, and i can assure you that most people would not even able to tell you the little details on what makes another name brand that much better than the lemond. I do not own a lemond nor do i want one, but they are a quality brand, and if you decide to get one then go for it...

SteelCan

What do you think of the LeMond Reno?
Wish I had a pic available.