Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Should he Buy this bike?? Need your help

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Missbumble
07-31-08, 12:19 PM
Hi Guys -
My coworker had decided to buy a road bike. He has ridden before - but not in a while and now is off to buy a bike. He has chosen the following bike and will be out shopping tomorrow. Do you have any advice I can pass onto him or comments/suggestions/considerations for him.

Bike: Lemond Etape Triple
He is a Male (Obviously) 6' 2"", 225 pounds.
$769.99

http://atlantacycling.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=6849
SPECIFICATIONS
Subject to change without notice.

Spec Name LeMond Etape Triple
Frame LeMond 6061 Performance aluminum
Fork Bontrager Carbon
Rims/Wheels Alex AT450
Hubs Aluminum
Tires Bontrager Select, 700 x 25c
Crankset Bontrager Sport
Chainwheel 53/39/30
Front Derailleur Shimano
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Rear Cogs SRAM PG850, 8-speed: 12-26
Shifters Shimano
Handlebars Bontrager Select VR
Stem Bontrager Select
Brake Levers Shimano
Brakes Aluminum dual-pivot
Pedals Nylon w/clips and straps
Saddle Bontrager Race Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Carbon

Tom Stormcrowe
07-31-08, 12:24 PM
He should be OK with that bike. He'll likely HATE the saddle, though. Make sure he has the wheels retensioned at around 300 miles, though, the Alex wheels aren't the best on the planet.

Also, tell him to not overtension the seatpost clamp with that carbon seatpost, and use the CF gripping compound to help prevent seat post slippage.
cohophysh
07-31-08, 01:25 PM
if he hasn't bought it I would recommend riding a few other brands in his price range, he may find one he likes better than the lemond

LarDasse74
07-31-08, 02:13 PM
I looked at the link you provided and at the Lemond webpage (http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/road_racing/performance_aluminum/etape.php)and there are a few differences... I don't know if it is a mistake on one site or the other or if the shop is upgrading components...

The Lemond site says the bike has a Sora rear derailleur, but the shop site says it is a Tiagra. The picture on the shop site is the same picture as the Lemond site and it shows a Sora derailleur.

Sora is one step down from Tiagra and probably wear out a little faster.

Also, the Lemond site says the bike has 9speed ****ers and an 8 speed cassette... I don't think these things work well together generally, so he should make sure it shifts properly before he buys it.

The Alex rims are decent, but probably machine laced to the hubs and that can cause durability problems (although I am sure 99% of bikes in this price range have machine built wheels).

All in all it looks like a decent bike. Fit is most important though, and only your friend can decide if it is good for that.