Road Cycling - New Bike!

Hey!

Total Newbie, haven't ridden on a road bike since the 10speed days, but am looking for a new fix! I'm trying to choose between a Lemond Nevada City ($569) and a still in the box Cannondale R800 ($510-on ebay, though). Bot are triples with Carbon forks. I'm planning on riding apx 3 days/wk for a few hrs/day plus longer rides when time permits. Don't know about racing yet, but competitive exercise is what I'm looking for. Any suggestions?

Kevin

Hey!

Total Newbie, haven't ridden on a road bike since the 10speed days, but am looking for a new fix! I'm trying to choose between a Lemond Nevada City ($569) and a still in the box Cannondale R800 ($510-on ebay, though). Bot are triples with Carbon forks. I'm planning on riding apx 3 days/wk for a few hrs/day plus longer rides when time permits. Don't know about racing yet, but competitive exercise is what I'm looking for. Any suggestions?

Kevin

If the Cannondale is a 2002 or 2003 model, grab it, quick! Its a much better bike than the Nevada City and much better component group.

Just make sure you are dealing with a reputable person on e-bay and don't overpay for shipping!

I've heard the Lemond bikes are a difficult fit, so make sure you test ride one first. The Lemond will give you a more comfortable ride with full chromoly 520 (or did I read they are making aluminum now?), which you might need now you are older (note: I did not say "old"). The lemond I guess would be a bit heavier too, if that makes a difference.

The 800 has much better components, and honestly, if it fits and you want to race or go really fast for really long the Cannondale is what you want.

As long as i mentioned "fit", do yourself a big favor and test ride a few bikes for fit and comfort. I had a long lay-off and getting back into road cycling, from a comfort standpoint, has been difficult. I end most of my rides because something is too uncomfortable, not because my legs don't have it.


Good luck, and hope this helps.

ehenz

The 2004 Nevada City is an aluminum frame; the '03s were all steel except the high-end models (carbon/Ti).

The LeMond frame geometry favors riders with longer upper torsos than lower torsos, generally. I felt by far the best ride and fit for me was the LeMond Buenos Aires, but I didn't know going into the process that I even had a longer upper than lower torso (just knew I had long arms).