Whats so good about a LeMond frame?
#1
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Whats so good about a LeMond frame?
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.
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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?
how was that?
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There are several models of Lemond frames. Which specific one were you referring to?
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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.
It's better than the a high end Specialized or Trek or Cevelo or Look etc of the same year.
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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.
Chris Horner and Tom Danielson ruled the US roads on the Tete De Course in 2003.
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I'm not even sure what "better" means.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
#14
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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.
#15
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
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.
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#16
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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).
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(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.
Last edited by teterider; 06-05-09 at 01:31 PM.
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it was made without the use of performance enhancing drugs.
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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.
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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.
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.
#24
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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...