Iowa10Speed

I built this comparison of Lemond models to help me shop for a Reynolds 853 frame. It has all 853 models from 1996-2003 except Maillot Jaune.

The spreadsheet file also has all models regardless of frame material.

The information came from the Lemond catalogs and spec sheets on the Vintage-Trek site.


Lemond_853_comparison.jpg


Spreadsheet:

Lemond Model and Frame comparison_sorted by year and model.zip

dunrobin

I'd keep an eye out for the later true temper platinum models as well. I have a 2001 Buenos Aires and a 2007 sarthe...the sarthe is definitely stiffer and lighter while providing a steel feel. I don't think you can go wrong with any of lemonds steel bikes, but account for the long top tube when sizing.

nlerner

Thanks! I had figured that the carbon fork on my '00 Zurich was a replacement, but looks like the original was CF.

jamesdak 

That is awesome!! Thanks for taking the time to compile all of that and then sharing it.

Lazyass

I had a '97 Zurich and it was a sweet ride. But the Lemond's/Trek's of that era had horribly thin paint. Mine would chip if you breathed on it, same for the '98 Trek 8000 I had.

jamesdak 

Boy, that's a fact but I think they got it better over the years. My 2000 Zurich seems real soft and is quite bad but the paint on the 2003 looks almost mint.

Chombi1 

Yes, paint was a weak area with Lemond's bikes, but I noticed more how bad the color combination choices were on his frames, more than the thinness of it......especially the blue/yellow/black ones...... They just ended up kinda looking cheap to me..... JMO

Whit51 

Great chart! When I had some free time on vacation in August I did the same thing using the catalogs on vintagetrek.com . Your spreadsheet is more coherent than mine! My motivation was identifying all models with 853 frames and steel forks.

McBTC

2000-2001 was a transition year-- my 2001 BA was the last BA with a quill stem whereas my centennial Zurich was the last of that model with a quill stem.

Caliwild

Thanks for the chart! Quick question: would you pay $500 for a near mint 2003 Zurich? Thanks in advance...

Andy_K 

I guess I'm the third person to respond who owns a 2001 Buenos Aires. I have to say it's one of my favorite bikes. I previously owned a 2001 Nevada City, and that was pretty nice too.

I've got my BA built up with 3x10 5700-series 105 groupset and ~1850 gram wheelset. It weighs 22.2 pounds, including pedals, bottle cages, computer and mirror. So not super light, but with lighter components I would imagine you could build one around 20 pounds. Personally, I'm quite happy with 23-25 pound bikes.

I've read a few people complaining that the carbon forks from this era (and specifically those on the LeMonds) are too noodly. I haven't noticed that at all myself, but I would probably feel more confident in the long term durability of one of the steel forks.

The non-853 chain stays have a minuscule effect on weight, and they give you the ability to fix rear alignment problems (a dicey proposition, if necessary, with 853 stays). The 853 stays are probably stiffer, but I'm not entirely convinced that's a good thing. The models with 525 stays are usually significantly cheaper. I got my Nevada city for $300 as a complete bike and was able to sell the components for about that much, so it was like a free frame.

nlerner

I actually have 3 Lemonds at the moment: a '97 Buenos Aires that I've fitted with 650B x 38mm wheels/tires, a very corroded '98 Tourmalet, which is on my wind trainer, and a '00 Zurich that's not built up. The BA is one of my main riders, and it's terrific with fatter tires, both fast and comfortable. I take it on fast 50 milers and 200k brevets. The red paint has held up very well, too, after lots of miles in the last four years.

Classtime 

I'm curious why no Maillot Jaune. Was that just a Zurich with Dura Ace? My go fast bike for 6-7 years was a MJ with 7700 group and Bont Race X-lite wheels that weighed just under 17 lbs. It's gone now, but I would like to try one with a well done steel fork. I thought maybe it was the carbon fork that caused my insecure feeling while cornering on fast descents.

fishboat

As a recent acquirer of a near showroom 2001 (853) Maillot Jaune, I'm feeling...doesn't matter as I understand why. I'm a little jammed for time this week, but I think I'll take the initial list and add the MJ and some other 105 and up(?..open to suggestions of what's most useful) models. Thanks to the OP for assembling the list..

55/Rad

The 853 Maillot Jaunes are feeling left out.

Dirt Farmer

Thank you!

A shame these bikes are no longer being made.

Iowa10Speed

So sad that the 853 Maillot Jaunes feel neglected! No slight intended. I figured my chances of seeing one in my area were so low I left it off my list.

Unless someone beats me to it, I'll try to add the MJ's. I also noticed a tiny revision on 2003 Zurich's (and MJ too). The spec manual says it had 725 stays, not 853 Pro.

jamesdak 

The Maillot Jaunes do seem more common in the Billato built era for Greg's bikes in terms I what I see up for sale. I love my TSX one and would be so tempted by an 853 one. Heck, I'm tempted by every Lemond I see.

jamesdak 

Sweet! What's your address and when is the bike left alone?

fishboat

OK.."..no pic it didn't happen..", here's a couple pics of my first Lemond, an MJ. I'm sourcing OEM (3TTT) stem and bars now.

fishboat

Just completed my first shake-down & adjustments ride on the MJ. A quick 25 miles over roads that vary between new asphalt to chipseal to old-crack-laden asphalt and concrete. Nice..very very nice..and on 23mm tires to boot. My main ride over the last 37 years, which I love, is a race-geometry, lugged, 2x butted Columbus SL frame. I recently rented a carbon Synapse and Roubaix for a day a piece. Having all those as a comparison, I can see why folks speak so highly of 853 Lemonds...definitely a keeper. Pleasure to ride.

Iowa10Speed

Happy to report that after 2-3 years of waiting, I finally scored a very nice red '98 Zurich. Stumbled on a fresh 2-hour old posting on Craigslist and pounced. $200 asked and gladly paid. Stoked! It's one size bigger than my usual frame but I couldn't pass it up.

I'm hoping a shorter stem will make it fit well enough, despite the warnings about long top tubes. Pics to follow (eventually).

theblackbullet

No love for the Poprad?!?

Here's my 2002. 853 is a sweet ride. I just wish this guy was a few cm larger.

fishboat

Congrats! Two beans..a steal for a Zurich(depending on condition). I think a stem will solve your one size larger issue. I generally ride a 56cm** and got a 55cm MJ, though I could have ridden/fit a 57cm Lemond(57.6cm eff-top tube) also. For comparison's sake..the 55cm Lemond (853) frame has a 56.5cm (eff)top tube..exactly the same length as a 56cm Roubaix.

**I also ride 58cm & 60cm C&V frames, all setup with similar "Handlebar Reach" distances with standard stems(90-100mm)..they're all comfortable for the up to 60 mile day-rides I do.

dunrobin

P_20170914_102305.jpg

2007 lemond sarthe true temper built up to 18lbs now. Feels contemporary but keeps steels feel. Used an 11-32 sram xxx cassette and sram force bits with a fulcrum rs crankset. This was supposed to be my winter rider but things have changed.