Road Cycling - Le Mond tete de course or Trek 5900

Hi!

I want to buy a new bike and have not yet decided between buying the Le Mond tete de course (carbon and titanium) or the Trek 5900.

As I have never seen any information about the Lemond spine concept,

Does anyone has
- any information about how these two bikes compare,
- tried one or both of these bikes,
- any feedback about the Le Mond tete de course.

Many thanks for your help and...Merry Christmas! ;o)

http://www.roadbikereview.com/2003+Road+Bike/LeMond+Bicycles+Tete+de+Course/PRD_138813_4338crx.aspx

Hi!

I want to buy a new bike and have not yet decided between buying the Le Mond tete de course (carbon and titanium) or the Trek 5900.

As I have never seen any information about the Lemond spine concept,

Does anyone has
- any information about how these two bikes compare,
- tried one or both of these bikes,
- any feedback about the Le Mond tete de course.

Many thanks for your help and...Merry Christmas! ;o)

I have test ridden the little brothers, the 5200 and the Zurich. Of the two, I prefer the Zurich, but only because of the geometry. Other than that, the 5200 was a fantastical wonderful ride. If it had the same geometry as the Lemonds, I believe that would be the bike I'd buy.

As to the Ti/Carbon hybrids, I would assume they ride a lot smoother than the steel/CF Zurich, but that is just a guess.

Here is info on their technology and design

Spine (www.lemondbikes.com/spine/index.shtml)

Simply put, they are trying to take weight out of the bike with the carbon "cockpit" and still provide feel with the spine.

It's fascinating to watch companies compete with themselves...

Do you buy a Trek, a LeMond, or a Klein? Is full carbon better than a "mixed" frame? And since there are multiple aluminum frames stiffer and lighter than titanium and less expensive, what do you buy? And while LeMond makes aluminum "sloping" frames, they are not using ZR9000 which is Trek's best aluminum frame. But LeMond DOES use OCLV 120 and 110 in their "cockpits". But is that "better" than a full carbon 5200, 5500, 5900, or Madone? Or the new "mixed" 2300 or 2200, with carbon seat stays and ZR9000 frame?

You ought to try to sell this stuff and 'splain it to the public....

I have the 5900 and love it! I test rode the 5200 before buying the 5900. I like the stiffness and the responsiveness of the 5900 better than the 5200. It also accelerates better than anything I've ridden. It's really light too. All I know is every time I take it out, I literally think to myself, "What a sweet ride this is!" :)

No experience with the Lemond, but I did test ride the Merlin Extralite before buying the 5900. I found the 5900 to be a nicer ride than the Merlin.

Hope this helps.

It's fascinating to watch companies compete with themselves...

Do you buy a Trek, a LeMond, or a Klein? Is full carbon better than a "mixed" frame? And since there are multiple aluminum frames stiffer and lighter than titanium and less expensive, what do you buy? And while LeMond makes aluminum "sloping" frames, they are not using ZR9000 which is Trek's best aluminum frame. But LeMond DOES use OCLV 120 and 110 in their "cockpits". But is that "better" than a full carbon 5200, 5500, 5900, or Madone? Or the new "mixed" 2300 or 2200, with carbon seat stays and ZR9000 frame?

You ought to try to sell this stuff and 'splain it to the public....


Yeh, usually though when it comes to that pricepoint it's more the rider. where they are riding, how they ride, what they are used to.. etc etc.

If the person has no preference/ or clue.. yeh it's hard.

I like the zurich and the 5200.Could'nt see paying that much more for the 5900 if i'm just a rider.

Hi!

I want to buy a new bike and have not yet decided between buying the Le Mond tete de course (carbon and titanium) or the Trek 5900.

As I have never seen any information about the Lemond spine concept,

Does anyone has
- any information about how these two bikes compare,
- tried one or both of these bikes,
- any feedback about the Le Mond tete de course.

Many thanks for your help and...Merry Christmas! ;o)

One of the best posters on Bicycling Magazine's forums posted this review (wish I could afford one!):

http://forums.bicycling.com/bic/thread.jsp?forum=6&thread=65227

I'm always entertained by the debates that go on here about materials and how they ride. So, it was a lot of fun exploring the ride quality of my new LeMond Tete de Course Ti/Carbon bike. After the first 500 miles all I can say is....rides great. No smoother than my "harsh" aluminum S-Works and no stiffer than anything else I've ridden. I think it drives home the point that all manufacturers strive to achieve the same thing. It's comfy, quick, and stiff where needed. With race wheels it even tips the scales at just over 15.8lbs.

I have a Trek 5200 and I just ordered the Madone. The oclv120 is fantastic, the 5200 is a dream. Cant wait to get my Madone. I suspect I may prefer the 5200 for the added comfort and dampening ability.