Road Cycling - Help me with LeMond sizing

I have read that LeMond bikes are sized a little large. That's to say that if I'm normally a 57/58, I should drop down a size to a 55. I've test ridden both a 55 and 57, and think maybe the 57 fit, but now I question whether or not I could fit into a 55. I'm 6' 1", have about a 35" inseam. Can anyone out there with some knowledge about LeMond sizing shed a bit of light on this. I have the opportunity to get a smokin deal on a Lemond 55 cm Tete de Corse, but not sure if it'll fit or not :confused: .

TIA,

Dax

I believe Lemonds have longer top tubes than most road bikes. The sizing is'nt measured center-to-top as most are but it's center-to-center(I think). I'll tell ya'.....I would never,ever put a person of your height on a 55cm frame. Unless your inseam is about 30-31 inches. If you're buying from a bike shop.....Sometimes you must beware. The sales people don't always know what they are talking about and they'll sometimes put you on the wrong sized ride to get a sale(apologies to those bike shop sale-people who DON'T do this). I'd say you need AT LEAST a 57cm. You could probably comfortably ride a 59 even. Ask around though. You'll be much happier on a bike that fits correctly. :p

call up to the higher gear in highland park. they had some lemonds when i was there last - get on one. lemond has relaxed geometry. he used to really sit back on his saddle and motor up those hills. it is perfect if you have long legs.
it will feel very different when you first ride it but you'll get used to it. (that's what they say)

My advice is to get a "fit kit" done by some one who knows what they are doing. Then have the specs of the lemond for him to compare the frame's measurements to yours.
Kevin
PedalPlay

If you have a 35" inseam, a 55 will be way too small for you. You need a frame 1 to 2 inches less than your standover height. 35"x 2.54= 88.9 inseam (lets say 89mm), wich would mean you need a frame about 84-87cm.
The tete de course is titanium with a 55 as 80.3cm standover height,
which would mean almost 9cm= almost 4" play.
Lemond's Poprad and Wayzata have only81.4 (57 frame) and 84.4cm (59frame) available close to your size, with the 59 as best candidate.
The other steel sizes have also a 61 frame available wich is 86.1 cm.
I think a 57 or 59 frame would be your better bet.
Test ride first, then decide.

Thanks everyone for the quick responses!

:( This is what I was afraid of. The deal on the Tete isn't from a local shop - it's a friend of a friend's bike - so nobody's tryin' to sucker me there :p I've been to the LBS, and was fit pretty well to a 57. A knowledgeable friend whom I trust, though, mentioned that several of his friend's my size ride 55cm LeMond frames, and that this is the size he thought I would fit as well. The deal is so good it's hard to pass up, but if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit :(

Dax

I am also 6'1" I did ride a 57 Lemond Tourmalet I now ride 59 cm Zurich. I find the 59 to be a little bit long in the top tube so I use a short 9cm stem. Anyway every body is different. If possible ride a couple of sizes and see for yourself. My personal opinon is this, the 55 will be too small, the 57 may be just right if you ride racer style (bars 3" or so lower than the seat) the 59 may be right if you ride more like a tourist and prefer a bar hieght almost even with the top of the seat.