Road Cycling - LeMond vs. Trek

I am looking for people's opinions on the Lemond Tete de Course -- Titanium and Carbon and the Trek 5900 OCLV 100 carbon.

Any pros and cons about both bikes would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you had a choice, which one would go you with and why?

Thanks,

Koffee

I'd have to go with the Lemond, if only because it is way sexier with the Ti, and Carbon mix as compared to just carbon with the Trek...

Both are quality bikes.. I like the geometry of the Lemonds better.. more comfy for me... my next bike will be a Lemond for sure

Jeff

ever check out the Merlin Cielo ? That bike is uber-sexy !

Lemond owner right here. I just thought I would speak up. The tete de course looks like a compact frame contraption, which breaks the mold substantially from other Lemonds. I'm not sure if like that.

Lemonds are known for their long top tubes (laid back seat tube-like an older italian bike), while treks are a bit more mainstream in their geometry. If you have long torso, go for the lemond, if you have a shorter or more average torso, go with the trek. both are very nice bikes.

I find the differences to be kind of strange considering they're the same company.

Having owned a Lemond I would buy it over the trek.

Zack

"I find the differences to be kind of strange considering they're the same company."

Wasn't that another thread, e.g., who owns who? For what it's worth....

Ford Motor Company brands include: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin.

General Motors Brands: Opel (Germany), Fiat (Italy), Buick, Vauxhall Motors (UK), Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Holden (Australia), Chevrolet, Suzuki, GMC, Daewoo, Isuzu, Pontiac, Saturn, Subaru, Saab and Hummer.

While there are some models that bridge brands, the majority of these monikers maintain their own design teams and philosophies. Why wouldn't that be true at Trek with it's different brands?

I can't speak for the Lemond but I own an '03 Trek 5900. while I Don't like the idea of Trek being so mainstream...there is no other bike IMHO that will climb or accelerate as well...

I've test ridden quite a few high end dura ace equipped bikes...and nothing transfers your energy more fluidly than the 5900 110 carbon frame...

Originally posted by Raiyn
I find the differences to be kind of strange considering they're the same company.

I think that they deliberaly did that. That way, the two marques would not compete against each other.

I own a Lemond and I work at a shop that deals both Lemond and Trek. The bikes are deffinetly different from one and another. Trek has done a good job of buying/starting companies with a different image then Trek's and keeping them all unique. They don't end up all looking the same in the end which is good.

That being said I like the Lemond geometry and look better, but for pure performance you really can't beat the OCLV frames. The Lemond Tete is a beautiful bike and has a real classy look to it, but I'm betting that overall performance the OCLV would win.

It is nice the way Trek has kept the Lemond and Klein brands geometries unique. I guess they know one size does not fit all. In the end the bike that fits best is going to be the one to ride. The sexier one can hang on the wall.

Trek does make some women specific bikes that may work well but the selection is limited.

I happen to own a 5900 and a Zurich (both used!). I actually prefer the Zurich for longer rides; the 5900 may not transmit a lot of the hi-freq road buzz, but it's plenty stiff, especially for an old guy like me.

Originally posted by Phatman
The Tete de Course looks like a compact frame contraption, which breaks the mold substantially from other Lemonds.

If you have long torso, go for the lemond, if you have a shorter or more average torso, go with the trek. both are very nice bikes.


The Tete de Course is not a true compact, but a bit of a 'tween-er. It still retains the relaxed geometry/longer than average top tubes LeMonds are known for... (This is the bike Greg actually opted for with Campy Record to ride this year).

I personally do not care for CF framed bikes. First of all, both the Trek 5200 and Look KG381 felt sluggish to me (particularly the Trek). Second, our shop often sees failed Trek carbon frames (cracks around the alu bb sleeve). From what I hear, they're good with warranty, but in 8 years of dealing in Litespeeds our shop hasn't warranteed ONE. For me, Ti is the ultimate frame material. You might want to check out the Litespeed Blue Ridge if you're looking to upgrade from your Sirrus, Koffee.