LeMond Poprad

[dwj444]

Does anyone know what the fork on the 2005 Poprad is made out of? What is Alloy X? Check out the bike on LeMond's website http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/poprad.shtml. I just bought one of these instead of the Trek XO1 that I was looking at; the Trek was backordered. I actually wanted the Poprad to begin with, but I balked at the color scheme. I guess the bike-gods made that decision for me in the end.

Thanks!
D.

[KeatonR]

"Alloy X Lite Cross" ... Hmm, probably some kind of aluminum alloy.

[noisebeam]

I pretty sure it is Al as well based on being big tubes and fat welds (I'll do magnet check tonight) but commercial Alloy X as a raw material is a cro-mo alloy.

In any case it rides well on and off road. It funny because a recent Bicycling mag had a review of bikes (they like the poprad) and their negative comment was to change out the fork as there was much road buzz. Now I honestly don't know what road buzz is (I can imagine) but I have taken this bike (with 25c tires) on centuries, on rought and smooth roads and it is totally smooth and pleasant to ride, in fact after being on some bikes it almost feels too plush. I wonder if the Bicycle mag comment was based on actual peformance, or just an assumption since it has a Al fork (if it indeed does)?

Al

[jfmckenna]

My girlfriends 2004 is AL. And I agree w/ noisebeam. Just because it is AL it has a bad rep with some but the fork on her 2004 is strong and light and that is good for cross imo. btw I think you will like the Poprad better then the XO1.

[DogBoy]

I thought the poprad was a steel bike? I can never keep them straight.

I've experienced road-buzz. Mostly its a problem on chip-seal roads. When you stop after riding for a bit you can still feel the vibration in your hands and posterior. Carbon forks/stays make a huge difference, as do gel gloves & cycling shorts. Bontrager makes bar-ends that are supposed to help with this, but I haven't tried them. It isn't something that would make me buy one bike over another though if there were other issues (like price) that made me favor a bike more likely to exhibit buzz.

[darkmother]

I have a fork off an '04 poprad. It is made by kinesis, and is very much like the Crosslight. It's aluminum-probably 6061. I am quite happy with it-it's reasonably light, and the canti posts are solid.

[cs1]

The link you had said Reynolds 853/True Temper combo. Usually the main tubes are 853 with stays True Temper. The fork definitely sounds like aluminum. You can always upgrade to carbon fiber, really expensive though. Buy a Gunnar and build it yourself.


Tim

[noisebeam]

On the 05 Poprad the frame is steel. But the fork is Alloy X.

As to road buzz, all the roads here are chip sealed and I've never had any type of funny feeling in my hands during or after a ride. I wear leather only gloves and have no padding in my shorts (just a chamois)

Al

[ZenNMotion]

I pretty sure it is Al as well based on being big tubes and fat welds (I'll do magnet check tonight) but commercial Alloy X as a raw material is a cro-mo alloy.

In any case it rides well on and off road. It funny because a recent Bicycling mag had a review of bikes (they like the poprad) and their negative comment was to change out the fork as there was much road buzz. Now I honestly don't know what road buzz is (I can imagine) but I have taken this bike (with 25c tires) on centuries, on rought and smooth roads and it is totally smooth and pleasant to ride, in fact after being on some bikes it almost feels too plush. I wonder if the Bicycle mag comment was based on actual peformance, or just an assumption since it has a Al fork (if it indeed does)?

Al

Bicycling mag runs out of things to talk about after years of endless same-same reviews. "neutral steering", "corners like on rails" "stiff yet plush" "confident" YAWN!!! How many adjectives can you use to describe a bike? Its just a damn bicyle! "Road Buzz" is actually a pleasant experience when touring around the Napa Valley or Finger Lakes wineries. Seriously, it more depends on your tires and your tire pressure than your fork. Any cyclocross fork is going to feel a little stiffer than your average road fork, it's supposed to be that way-

[G-Unit]

LeMond Poprad for '05 has True Temper OX Platinum tubes for the head-tube/seat-tube/down-tube/top-tube and Reynolds 853 for the Seat-stays/chain-stays/drop-outs.

I have a Poprad, I actually contacted them to find out what the tubes are. OX Platinum is True Temper's version of Reynold's 853 steel, similar strength/weight ratio and supposed to be on par to titanium.

[wildjim]

The Fork on the Poprad is Alloy X - Aluminum.

Anyway the Poprad is nearly all steel - nearly real.

The Kona Jake The Snake is AL with a Steel Fork.

The Fuji Cross Comp and Motobecane Fantom Cross are AL with AL Fork.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

The Fork on the Poprad is Alloy X - Aluminum.

Anyway the Poprad is nearly all steel - nearly real.

The Kona Jake The Snake is AL with a Steel Fork.

The Fuji Cross Comp and Motobecane Fantom Cross are AL with AL Fork.

Surly X = Steel w/ steel ! :D

[Monument Man]

I have an 03 Poprad and the color scheme is gold and red. I like the white/blue much better. I passed a guy on the 05 white/blue last week and though that the color combo was a significant upgrade from my gold/red/

[KeatonR]

I'm picking up a Poprad this weekend and intend to replace the fork with the Nashbar carbon cross fork. Seems like a good deal at $150.

[noisebeam]

I'm picking up a Poprad this weekend and intend to replace the fork with the Nashbar carbon cross fork. Seems like a good deal at $150.
Why do you want to replace it?

Al

[noisebeam]

I like the white/blue much better. I passed a guy on the 05 white/blue last week and though that the color combo was a significant upgrade from my gold/red/
I have the 05 and like the color. I initally was wary of white, but have grown to like it. I could do without the Lemond name on the two blue band stickers/decals. Its not the name, but just that I like cleaner looking (i.e. less lettering) bikes. But this is minor.

Al

[KeatonR]

Why do you want to replace it?

Al

Well, I've heard that the stock fork is overbuilt and a bit on the heavy side. Seems like an easy way to lighten the bike, since the Nashbar fork is pretty light. Plus, since the seatpost is carbon, I'm thinking this will make for a really cool looking steel/carbon setup.

[Lord Chambers]

I have the 03 Poprad too. I really really wish I could have gotten the 04, its colors were really sexy. The 05 is good looking too.

[darkmother]

"Road Buzz" is actually a pleasant experience when touring around the Napa Valley or Finger Lakes wineries. Seriously, it more depends on your tires and your tire pressure than your fork. Any cyclocross fork is going to feel a little stiffer than your average road fork, it's supposed to be that way-


Amen brother.