Road Cycling - 2003 Lemond Victoire or 2004 Trek 5500 frame

I have been researching road bikes for a while now and I have narrowed my search to this. My LBS can do the Trek or Lemond so I guess it boils down to carbon or carbon/Ti. Can any riders help me in this. Weight, comfort and performance are the main factors.

TIA

I have owned a trek 2300 (Carbon/aluminum) and a Trek 9800 (full oclv carbon - albeit a mountain bike). Having ridden both of these bikes I prefer the full carbon ride to all others. Having originally come from a cromoly and then aluminum frame, riding an OCLV for the first time was as close to a religious experience as I've ever had (sober anyways)...the stiffness, weight, and looks of the Trek are unmatched. The ride and performance are everything you'd want. Now, I admit to not riding a Lemond before, but all I'm saying is that I can't imagine it getting any better than the Trek OCLV ride. And just to put my money where my mouth is, I have just purchased a Trek 5200 OCLV frame this past week to complete my set so hopefully I'll see you out there. . .Cheers!

Despite Lemond being owned by Trek (or some sort of partnership) the geometries are different on their bikes. I don't think anyone can tell you which will be better for you besides yourself. I'd just ask the shop to build up two bikes that are about the same in everything and ride both.

bumps

I've only test ridden the Trek 5200, which is the same frame as the 5500, and loved the ride. I actually ended up getting the Trek 5900, but the shop let me take the 5200 for a 40 mile test ride, and it was a sweet ride. I wife ended up buying the 5200 WSD and she loves it.

Sorry, but no experience it any Lemonds, but I did test ride several Merlins and Seven Ti. I found that I like the Trek carbon a little better.

I have been researching road bikes for a while now and I have narrowed my search to this. My LBS can do the Trek or Lemond so I guess it boils down to carbon or carbon/Ti. Can any riders help me in this. Weight, comfort and performance are the main factors.

TIA

I have an '03 Lemond Victoire full ti, and love it! I was in the same situation about bike selection. I found the fit of the Lemond overode any benefits of carbon. Remember, fit comfort while riding should supercede frame material. I found that riding the Trek 5500 was flat feeling and just did not feel right due to the top tube length. Go with your gut feeling. If I can remember the new '04 Victoire has a sloping geometry. If that is not to your liking I would suggest taking a look at the Victoire "classic" geometry which is the full titanium frame with the standard Lemond geometry. Good luck!