Road Cycling - Lemond Alpe D' Huez

Looking for first road style bike. I'm a 5'11 male weighing in at 260 (ouch). I am seriously considering the Lemond Alpe D' Huez. It seems to be right at my budget limit and with my weight, the rims have good coverage via the number of spokes plus the frame is steel. Any opinions on this bike appreciated.

I've also considered the Specialized Sequoia Expert. I rode one and the only thing that I didn't like was that when I rode in the standing position, the seat would hit me in the back of the legs. This should be fixable with a longer stem or the next frame size I would think. The owner suggested switching out the rims due to my weight because it didn't have full spoke coverage which adds to the cost. Both bikes are in the same price range.

With my weight, should I stick with steel as the Lemond is steel and Specialized is aluminum.

I realize the importance of fit and the bike shop when it comes to service after/during the sale.

Hi,
both are terrific bikes. At your weight, I would suggest tires in the 28-32 size. The LeMond won't take anything that big. There is a tire that might fit, the Rivendell Roly Poly. It's big enough to protect against pinch flats, and it just might fit that frame.
The Seqouia will take larger tires, but it sounds like you may need a larger size. I defintely wouldn't buy one without knowing for certain it's the right size.
Perhaps another LBS has a Seqouia in a larger size for you to try. You might want to try some other bikes that can accomodate larger tires. There are some
you might not think of, at first glance. Cyclocross bikes can be fitted with smooth tires, and work admirably. Their only serious disadvantage is that they come with a double ring up front. If you don't plan on riding big hills, this isn't a problem. Touring bikes are also an option. One last note, with your size and weight; I would not want to be bent over too far. That would be a recipe for making your friendly local back doctor a little richer.

Thanks for the reply. I think the Expert came with size 26 tires on it. I was running 110 psi (tire had max of 130) and I was comfortable with the ride. Being new to road bikes, I'm sure the flat issue will raise it's ugly head sooner rather than later.

What do you think of the rims on the Expert for someone my weight? The bike shop owner wouldn't sell me the bike without switching to different rims. Atleast I got a little trade in value for the switch.

Hi,
I don't know much about that. I am about the same weight; and this winter when I was putting together some new wheels, I used Mavic CXP33 rims. The profile is semi-aero, which is stronger and a tiny bit faster; but with a stiffer ride than traditonal rims. Looks to me like rims break down into 3 rough categories. Lite rims (400-450 grams), Midweights (450-500grams) and the bruisers (500+). My take on all this is that a midweight rim is plenty tough. The Mavic Ma3, the Sun CR18, or the CXP33 are plenty strong. The Ma3 with 36 spokes would provide a very nice ride at a reasonable weight and cost. My CXP33 is strong enough that 32 spokes are plenty. I don't know anything about Sun rims, my wife has one and likes it.
I have a goal, to get to 200 pounds, and build a new set of wheels around the Mavic Open Pro rims.

Go for the Alpe D'Huez. Great riding bikes. I have a Buenos Aires and I'm 6' 265.

Don't be to concerned with the wheels. I had Bontrager Selects when I first got the bike (they came on it) and they have held up wonderfully. I just built a set of wheels with record hubs and Mavic Open Pros which are plenty strong. You don't need to go to a heavy rim if you don't want to, OP's are used on many tandems which are carrying a lot of weight. Though for a truly bulletproof set, CXP 33's are nice rims.

I'm surprised to find so many bigger guys on here like myself. My goal is to get below 200 this season with strict diet and exercise. I've never really tried and commited to this before so hopefully it works.

I have a Trek 5200 which came with Bontrager Race Lite wheels. Those are the low spoke count aero type. I am your weight and have had no problem with them. As for tires I put Conti Gator Skins on in place of the factory tire. I run a 700x25 in the rear and a 700x23 in the front. Have yet to get a flat since changing to them.
When I was looking for a bike I looked at and liked the Alp D'Huez, good package and alot of value for the money. If you cannot afford titanium or carbon fiber at this time I think you would be much better off and happier with a steel bike. Personally I don't care for the ride that aluminum gives.

I liked the extra set of brake handles on the Sequoia Expert that are located on the top portion of the handle bars. You can't really see them on the picture on their web site. These come in handy when you are riding at a slower pace (riding with my dad). Can something like that be added to the Lemond (or any road bike)? I'm assuming that they could, but I don't trust me.

mkwdrs: Check Ebay for bikes. I've seen a bunch of Alpe D' Huez's on there at good prices. Of couse if they aren't your size then it really doesn't matter how good the price is :)

I used to own a Lemond BA and regret selling it. I now ride a K2 Mach 2.0 which is my first AL framed bike. If I could have found a BA for the price I paid for the K2 I would have bought it in a heart beat.

Zack

Yeah, you can put top mounted brake levers on any road bike, not a problem.

I have a lemond Alpe d'huez. I like it alot. Here's my baby.

The rims are decent, sort of like the ritchey pros, with offset spoke holes. I haven't had any problems, but I am only 175. The frame is smooooth, and the carbon forck definitly helps.

I would switch out the seat immediatly though. It is a killer. The one on there is no longer there.

Welllll I wouldn't let any worries get me down mkwdrs! I'm around your hight and weigh 230-240 and I am forming at the mouth for an 853 lemond bike!
Currently I'm riding a Trek 2000 with bontrager select pired spoke wheels and have no problems at all. The 105 groupo is very good and I have over 2000 miles on the wheel set. BTW I run 700x23 Fortezza tires at 145 rear and 140 front and have no gripes or problem out of the tire wheel combo! I have thought about buying this same bike and putting my wheels on it.

Does anyone know if this frame is the same as the Buneos Aires? If it is I would go with the 105 just as quick as ulterga.

I don't think you should worry so much about the tire size. When I started cycling again I was almost 250, and rode 700 X 23's with no problems. I was using Continentals at 120 psi. I've got Michelin Axial Kevlar 700 X 23's on my commuter, and they work fine at 110 psi, but they DO have a stiffer sidewall.
I didn't test ride the Sequoia, but ended up on a Lemond Zurich. I love the feel of that bike while riding.

Yeah, same frame on the Tourmalet, Alpe d'Huez, and Buenos Aires which is the 853 Select frame ( 853 main tubes, 525 stays, 3.7lbs for a 55cm)

The Zurich and the MJ get the 853 Pro frame (853 main tubes, 725 stays, 3.3lbs for a 55cm)