EjustE

One of my priorities for this summer has been to get my wife into a road bike, instead of her beloved Super-V, so we can actually do some distance riding together. She wants to do it (so I am not pulling teeth there), but had not found an appropriate bike yet (kind on the smallish size with STIs or Ergos). Thanks to a fellow BF member, I have the perfect frame coming in the mail , so I went donor bike shopping for the build today.

I found this particular bike on CL, scoped it for the model and found out that it has a 7sp RSX system spec'd. Reasonable price, so it was a perfect donor.

Here it is just after I brought it home:









On paper, this 1998 Lemond Reno with a TIG-welded Reynolds 525 frame and RSX components, seemed like a perfect donor... However, when I touched it I started having second thoughts about it being a keeper. I did not expect the 525 to be so light and did not expect (maybe I should have had) such a great build quality on the frame.... oh well... priorities keep me straight, also the fact that at 59.5 x 59.5 is about 2 inches to big for me (and still that voice told me that I could do a Rivendell fit for this one). Not even putting pedals on it and onto the dissasembly line it goes, otherwise I would really be tempted

Bianchigirll 

I agree it might be hard to tear that apart. while it is not a classic it does have a real classy look to it. a 59 eh?

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

What no pedals?!

Skip the wrench, go straight to the torch

EjustE

59.5 actually and a 33.5 inch step over height, which is about 1-2 more inches that I can really deal with Less than 130mm rear spacing, plus threded headset is pretty much a classic look. The TIG frame on the other hand... These parts will go to a good cause

EjustE

torches and me are a very scary thought...

wrk101

I've had that happen a couple of times recently myself. Scooped up a seven speed RSX Schwinn Passage, at a very attractive price. But it is just too sweet of a bike to part out. So I think I will clean it up and pass it on to another home, and look for another donor....

And two days ago, I picked up a second seven speed RSX bike, a 1997 Cannondale. It is too sweet to part as well, so it will be another pass it on. The Cannondale is my wife's size, so maybe she'll go for it.

roccobike

Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, E! I've got it! Tell your wife to grow more.




Ok, I'll go back to the drawing board.
Seriously, it may be tough, but if neither of you can ride the Lemond, strip it and sell the frame. Don't look back.

WNG

A pre-Trek LeMond is a collectible and desirable ride. But this isn't one of the lugged models. I bet it rides great though none the less. So don't feel too bad if you part it out.

mtnwkr

I used a Lemond Reno as a donor when I built my GF's bike. Clean those RSX shifters and they work well.