Road Cycling - buying Lemond Alp d'Huez - need advice

I've been looking for a bike for road riding and the odd triathlon.So far i have seen about 4 in my price range($1500us).they were the Trek "1400 "mainly 105 with tiagra brakes,Fuji" Roubiax" all 105,Giant "Tcr2 "all 105 and the Lemond "Alp D'Huez"(2001 model).The Lemond is definately the pick of the bunch when it comes to price/value ratio($1340us).The only thing is that i know nothing about the company , the stem has an old fashion look to it (over critical?) and not over the moon about the red & white coloured frame.The bike seems to ride well though.So is it a good bike?Let me know. Cheers Paddo

Hi Paddo

I am considering getting a new bike later this year. Lemond is one of thoses I am looking at. Greg Lemond was the first American to win the Tour de France. Did it three times. As for the company, I know that the bikes are built by Trek and seem to have a good reputation. At lot of the components such as the stem are the same as you would find on Trek bikes. Frame is steel, so it should hold up well.

Hope you have good luck on finding a bike and enjoy it.

:p

$1340 is high for a 2001. I think you could probably buy the 2003 Alpe d'huez for that price. I have the 2002 Lemond Buenos Aires, and I bought that last year for under $1500. If you can pull it off I would suggest you look at the Buenos Aires. It is a nice upgrade on components, almost entirely Ultegra, and a slightly better set of wheels, Bontrager Select. I think the 2003 Buenos Aires will typically sell for just over $1500. Good luck.

Road racing and time trialling technically require two different positions. When a rider buys a road bike and installs aerobars, they are often too stretched out! Lemonds and Treks have fairly long top tubes. One option is to purchase your Lemond, and buy an adjustable set of aerobars (to shorten your reach), or option #2;

http://www.cervelo.com/text-icon-Solo-105.html

I just bought one a few months ago. I love the bike, but I paid about $1000 for a 2002 model. You could get a new Lemond with better components for what you are willing to spend.

Paddo,

I agree with the responses you've gotten. The 2003 Alp de'Huez is 1300 bucks. It also has a fancy silver & orange paint scheme. For an extra $200 you can get the 2003 Buenos Aires with full Ultegra. This bike looks totally hot in it's blue/yellow scheme w/ an oversized fork. Your greatest problem lies in too many decisions to make with today's great bike choices! :)

Steve

Hi everyone, thanks for the quick response.Yes the price sounds abit on the rich side but unfortunately thats the reality of living in australia.Being 6'2"(long arms) the long top tube should suit me ,as for the aero bars, will they suit this bike or am i riding up the wrong track?
thanks again
Paddo

I just bought a 2002 lemond alpe d'huez. I love it. I am 6'1" with a 33 inch inseam, meaning a longish torso. I like it a lot, with a very smooth ride. Aero bars will probably suit, but I would try them out first at the shop before making your decision.

If the aero bars have you too stretched out, try a trek. Treks have a shorter top tube then the lemond. That would put you closer to the bars, and a more comfortable "aero" position. Beware though, test ride all these bikes before buying. All of the bikes mentioned have different geometries, and they will all feel different.

A 03 B/A isnt full ultegra,bb and front der is 105 but its close.Cant handle the paint,blue and yellow but a nice bike.I dont think trek builds them,just owns them.My heart is set on the zurich but at 1700 bucks,a little out of my reach.A fuji marseille,full ultegra with a ritchey crank,full 853 frame at under 19 pounds for 1470 is another i am looking at.

Appparently 2001 "alp d'huez " like the "chambery" was made from 6061 aeroluminum not steel.So is there alot of difference in the ride between the 2 materials????????