Road Cycling - Reynolds 853 is so smooooth!

I just got rid of my Specialized Sequoia and bought a Lemond Buenos Aires. As you may know the Seqoia is the Specialized attempt to make A1 aluminum smooth. It has carbon fork with "zertz" insert, cushioned seatpost, gel pads under the handle bar wrap etc. But, it does not begin to campare with smoothness of the Lemond and with out any of the gimmicks. I just got back from my first ride and I now understand what all of you "steelies" have been talking about. My shoulders and hands are not numb, I can sit down and I can feel my feet. After I went over the first set of railroad tracks I rode the rest of my ride with a smile on my face. And it is made in the USA too.
Jeff

So now you know firsthand why we say "Steel is Real"

now try it with wheels that have dt revolutions, open pro rims, dura-ace hubs, and conti grand prix 3000s at 100 psi. that is smooth. I got the same frame, but with the described wheels. I thought it was smooth before, and now, its like butta.

Phatman
what are dt revolutions? what kind of wheels do you have?
Jeff

Hey Jeff...

WElcome aboard the new steel revolution :-) heheh I've been riding a Lemond Maillot Jaune for a few months now... I can not believe how incredibly smooth it is... that 853 pro steel is amazing stuff !!

JEff

No doubt about it,steel is smooth.

Originally posted by Jeff Enck
Phatman
what are dt revolutions? what kind of wheels do you have?
Jeff

I got the excel sports cirrus wheelset. dt revolutions are ultra-butted spokes, 15/17/15 I think and I'm not sure if its the spokes, the tires, or the rims, but this combo gives a really smooth ride. did I mention the wheels are really light?

excel sports cirrus wheelset (http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Cirrus+Wheelset&vendorCode=EXCEL&major=1&minor=24)

Hang onto that Buenos Aires. The rug is getting yanked out from under us. The '04 lineup is a mix of carbona and steel with a compact geometry.

Sure makes the 03's worth a lot more.I'm not a fan of the compact geometry.

I had forgotten what a difference steel made on the road until I got on the Orbea a couple of times (finally). It's incredible. It's not Reynolds tubing, but triple butted Columbus Ultrafoco tubing that's doing the work for me, and it's just sick.

That stuff is just as good as 853.

I've been riding steel since picking up a 1975 era Raliegh Grand Prix (about 30 years ago). Well, come to think of it, that's all there was in 1975. It's Reynolds 531. Still have it. Also have a Reynolds 853 frameset, and a hand lugged Italian frame in whatever kind of steel the Italians use. I don't know what material is best. I'll ride anything I like and I like most any kind of bike. Have you seen the latest Waterford 16.25 lb. steel bike bike made with True Temper S3 steel? WoW!!

I'd say that, from my limited experience riding 853, I like Columbus tubing better. If only because not every steel bike made uses it. Like I say, the frame's just sick.

What do you mean - the frame's just sick. ?

I ride a 2002 Scapin made with a 'geoid' shaped Columbus down-tube and its is very smooth and responsive. Even nicer riding than my '87 Paramount which is made from lugged Columbus SLX. I have tried a couple of aluminum bikes and my butt couldn't take it for long. Ti was close and I didn't like the feel of graphite.

Sorry to hear about the '04 Lemond. Guess it won't be long before the only steel bikes will the be custom models.

853 is very nice, I'm on a Ritchey roadlogic and talk about smooth. It' Dedadci tubing is drawn to Tom's specs. and the frame weighs in a little more than ti. I've got tubular tires pumped to 135 psi, but it feels like silk. But I still feel it when the road is rough and the bike give me great road feel. I also have a kestrel so I know the benifits of carbon...and the carbon is great for longer rides...steel is real, but so is carbon.

Sick is slang. He means it kicks ass. :D

I just looked at a Zurich [steel] 2003 at the LBS and am considering it for a combination road/tourer. Does anyone have any opinions on the steel Zurichs? It is on sale right now.

I have also been eyeing a Trek 520 but the LeMond was right next to it, "silently calling my name!"

Thanks.

Great bike if it fits.The cheapest i saw them for was $1519.

Couple of folks in my local club are riding the Jamis Eclipse. An 853 frameset with a Campy Chorus group and Ksyrium SL wheels. Looks great and they report that it rides the same way. Steel rules.

I say go with the Zurich if it fits...btw trek owns lemond bicycles, but I think the 520 is a touring bike...I don't know what the tubing is but am pretty sure it is not 853.

The '03 520 is a steel frame with 36 spoke wheels. Yes, it is a tourer. I am going to stay sit tight and watch for any big sales later this fall on either.

Vipersdad

Hang onto that Buenos Aires. The rug is getting yanked out from under us. The '04 lineup is a mix of carbon and steel with a compact geometry.

You're right about the materials (it's considered a much better bike by my LBS mechanic, at least), but the frame geometry didn't change. It's a sweet looking bike, and rode better for me than all the comparable price points (and even a little higher) in aluminum, steel, and carbon.

You're right about the materials (it's considered a much better bike by my LBS mechanic, at least), but the frame geometry didn't change. It's a sweet looking bike, and rode better for me than all the comparable price points (and even a little higher) in aluminum, steel, and carbon.

You sure about that? I can't seem to find the 2004 geometry specs on the web page, but that top tube sure seems to be on a different angle.

No doubt about it,steel is smooth.

But I hear there is this new "majic metal"........ :rolleyes: :p :D

Seriously, Nice bike, great choice and Congrats!

I have an older 1998 Lemond Zurich that is Reynolds 853 and it is a very nice bike. Just make sure if it still comes with horizontal droppouts, you are very careful of what kind of QR skewers you use. If you were to get softer material QR skewers (like Ti), I've heard of some Zurich owners having problems with the rear wheel slipping out of the dropouts. I've had it happen to me before but don't think it had to do with the skewers, just bad user error on my part. I've haven't had any problems but then I'm still using the stock Ultegra skewers the bike came with.

Mine is Red with white panels and has the World's Champ's rainbow colors on the seattube and as accents.. Are the new Zurichs still doing this? I think Lemond won his WC in Zurich in 1983 or something...

Jay

Dedaccai is the italian manufacturer of high quality THIN steel for racing bikes (ie: new VIRATA by Bianchi). The key phrase here is THIN STEEL for RACING only. Thin steel (Dedaccai) compromises long term durability as in thicker high quality steel like the Reynolds 853 or 630.
In my case, I wouldn't (and wouldn't justify it) get this type of steel for the type of riding I give to my bikes: fitness, long rides and some commuting. Reynolds 831
or 630 would suit me much better.
In fact, after a lot of months of research and comparing
I've decide to get me a steel bike, possibliy the Vigorelli by Bianchi.
Corsaire ;)

Dedaccai makes more than one type of tubes, just like Reynolds and everyone else. I have a 1995 Bianchi Campione D'Italia with Dedaccai tubes (a Bianchi Superset 2 frame). I weigh about 190 and have put about 12K miles over rough New England roads on it, tacoed a few wheels, etc. and the frame is still just fine. I also use my bike for fitness, commuting and multi-day charity events. The reason they can use a thinner wall has more to do with the particular alloy used than anything else. The compromise here is that the tubes cost more to produce- light, strong, cheap, pick any 2.

DEMON

Yeha, but I still wouldn't buy a bike made with that particular THIN racing steel by Dedaccai, like the VIRATA by Bianchi. The thinness of this steel is for racing purposes period.
Corsaire

Also, in 1983 Lemonds were hand-built bikes by whomever Lemond was contracting with at the time. He was using primarily Scapin, a custom shop in Treviso, Italy for most of the 80's (including his Coors Lite team bikes). They have nothing to do with these later Trek built Lemonds. And neither does Lemond. I have had two of the earlier Scapin built lugged steel Lemonds ('85 Coors Lite and an '89) and they are wonderful bikes. Both built out of Columbus SLX. I liked so much that I bought a new Scapin last year. Also Columbus tubing and is as good as I had hoped it would be.

As far as the new thin-walled steel tubing, I would check the warranty on the frame. If it is warranted for life I would not be afraid of it. My new Scapin weighs under 18 pounds with Ksyrium Elite wheels. I weigh 200 and haven't had any hint of trouble in this first season (4000+) miles. And the ride is that great supple ride that steel is known for.

But, 853 is also a great tube-set for bicycles. Today, most builders use a mix of 853 and other tubes to optimize the ride. I believe that pre-'04 Lemonds made by Trek did this, as well.

Also, in 1983 Lemonds were hand-built bikes by whomever Lemond was contracting with at the time. He was using primarily Scapin, a custom shop in Treviso, Italy for most of the 80's (including his Coors Lite team bikes). They have nothing to do with these later Trek built Lemonds. And neither does Lemond. I have had two of the earlier Scapin built lugged steel Lemonds ('85 Coors Lite and an '89) and they are wonderful bikes. Both built out of Columbus SLX. I liked so much that I bought a new Scapin last year. Also Columbus tubing and is as good as I had hoped it would be.

As far as the new thin-walled steel tubing, I would check the warranty on the frame. If it is warranted for life I would not be afraid of it. My new Scapin weighs under 18 pounds with Ksyrium Elite wheels. I weigh 200 and haven't had any hint of trouble in this first season (4000+) miles. And the ride is that great supple ride that steel is known for.

But, 853 is also a great tube-set for bicycles. Today, most builders use a mix of 853 and other tubes to optimize the ride. I believe that pre-'04 Lemonds made by Trek did this, as well.
Same wheelsets on my steel fuji with zero problems with either except its so dam much fun to ride.

But, 853 is also a great tube-set for bicycles. Today, most builders use a mix of 853 and other tubes to optimize the ride. I believe that pre-'04 Lemonds made by Trek did this, as well.

The reason 853 is not used for the whole frame is that they don't make seatstays in the 853 material. thus, 725 or true temper OX-whatever is used...

I dont think so.03 zurichs,khs 800 and others are ALL 853.

my '01 Lemond Maillot Jaune is ALL 853 pro Steel... the next models down below the MJ, and Zurich use a mix I believe

Jeff

my '01 Lemond Maillot Jaune is ALL 853 pro Steel... the next models down below the MJ, and Zurich use a mix I believe

Jeff
I remeber reading somewhere that the Lemond 853 pro is 853 main tubes, 725 stays. the 853 select is 525 stays, and 853 tubes.

I remeber reading somewhere that the Lemond 853 pro is 853 main tubes, 725 stays. the 853 select is 525 stays, and 853 tubes.
03 Zurichs and MJ were all 853 and the rest,BA,tour,ect were mixed.

halfspeed wrote:
"You sure about that? I can't seem to find the 2004 geometry specs on the web page, but that top tube sure seems to be on a different angle."

The '04 info is now up on the LeMond webpage (which apparently changed URLs from the '03 page, though the '03 line of bikes is still accessible through a bike archive link on the new page).

I quote from the webpage:
"While the actual top tube slopes, the effective top tube length and frame angles are exactly the same as traditional LeMond geometry."

halfspeed wrote:
"You sure about that? I can't seem to find the 2004 geometry specs on the web page, but that top tube sure seems to be on a different angle."

The '04 info is now up on the LeMond webpage (which apparently changed URLs from the '03 page, though the '03 line of bikes is still accessible through a bike archive link on the new page).

I quote from the webpage:
"While the actual top tube slopes, the effective top tube length and frame angles are exactly the same as traditional LeMond geometry."

So the reach is the same, but the standover is a little lower.

The reason 853 is not used for the whole frame is that they don't make seatstays in the 853 material. thus, 725 or true temper OX-whatever is used...

actually, reynolds started making 853 stays a few years back. 631 is still main tubes only.

725 is usually subsituted to make the frame cheaper to make. some really high quality frame builders like waterford substitute a true temper platinum for ride quality (853 is bit stiffer than true temper platinum).

www.reynolds-cycle.com