Road Cycling - My 1st Road Bike Purchase

Up until yesterday the best bike I had ridden (In my price range) was a 2002 Lemond Poprad 57cm 853 Reynolds cyclocross bike. The steel was silky smooth. The bike cost $800, and despite it being a Sora w/ a double, I would have bought it if nothing else came along. I still had some doubt about a few things though. One, the size, the 57cm felt a lil big for me, I'm 5'11" w/ a ~31" inseam. I went back to ride it again today...and felt the same way....of course the owner thought it was perfect (small store, mostly italian bikes, all steel). Said that if I was not going to 'cross it, it would be better for it to be big.

Prior to that, I had ridden two identical 2002 Trek 2200's, Ultegra/105 bikes, the first a 58cm the 2nd a 56cm. Both caused uncomfortable pain in my upper back and shoulder blades, especially the 57cm. I have problems with two thoracic discs. I was really disappointed because the Trek cost a bargain priced $999. I was originally looking at the '04 1500, but these bikes were much better equipped. In comparison, I had ridden a few 2004 Lemonds, a Tourmalet, Alpe d'Huez, and Buenos Aires. The new Lemonds had a different geometry, a sloping top tube, which gave the bike a much more upright riding feeling. Much more comfortable than the Treks. The '04 Tourmalet was still a $1000 bike bike had downgraded components for it price compared to the Treks.

I kept looking....hoping to find some more value

At another LBS, I found a couple of leftover Tourmalet's smaller sizes and in steel.

The guy working there said no way should I be in a 57cm, just as I thought. Tried both a 53cm & a 55cm Tourmalet.

The 55cm Tourmalet fit perfectly. It's an '03 in 853 Reynolds w/ a silky smooth double 53/39, 12/25. I bought it for $700. But honestly, the frame was so smooth compared to aluminum Trek and Lemond bikes. The bike will be used for recreation riding and exercize. Mostly on paved bike trails. I'd like hear some opinions on this bike. Thanks you to those who responded to my posts/questions earlier in the week.

http://www.lemondbikes.com/2003_bikes/images/tourmaletmens_archive.jpg

MODEL Tourmalet
COLOR Red | Blue

MAINFRAME Reynolds 853 Steel Alloy
FORK Bontrager Race Carbon
HEADSET Direct Connect 1 1/8" semicart.
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano BB-UN40
CRANK Shimano Tiagra DOUBLE 53/39
PEDALS Alloy road | sealed | w/clips & straps
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105
SHIFT / BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Tiagra STI
CASSETTE Shimano HG-50 | 9-speed | 12-25
CHAIN Shimano HG-53
WHEEL SYSTEM Matrix Aurora Alloy Hubs
TIRES Bontrager Select
BRAKES Alloy | Dual Pivot
HANDLEBAR Alloy Ergo
STEM TTT The
TAPE Bontrager Cork
SADDLE *CRZ+ Road
SEATPOST Alloy micro-adjust

You got a great deal. I have the Lemond BA (similar) for 4.5 years now, and still am in love with it. Paid twice as much!

You will be quite pleased.

Have fun!

I'd like hear some opinions on this bike.

Well, you already bought the bike so any opinions we give you now would be kind of moot wouldn't they. :)

That said, I think you got a great deal. I've liked the road feel of most the LeMonds (steel) I've test-ridden. The geometry of the LeMonds seem to be well done for the general riding population. And although I love my carbon fibre bikes, I am also a big fan of steel. My next roadbike purchase will most likely be steel frame with S+S couplers since I will be using it for some light touring and travelling.

For the money, the componentry spec is excellent... especially the carbon fork. A comparable bike with carbon forks and Tiagra/105 mix usually goes for around $200 more.

Depending on your riding terrain, your level of fitness and your riding style, you might want to consider different gearing although a 12-25 is a pretty good cluster for recreational riding. If you live in a mostly flat area, you might want a tighter cluster. If you live in a hilly area like me then the 12-25 or 12-27 is more suited especially with a double.

The only thing I would change at the moment would be the chain. I would install a SRAM chain or simply replace one of the links with a SRAM PowerLink to make bike maintenance a easier. I do that on all my bikes. Over time, you'll probably end up upgrading some parts. But the major components should last quite a while. Figure of course that you'll wear through bartape and tyres as well as chain and gears over the course of the next few years. Changing your chain every 2000 to 3000 miles will allow you to go longer without having to replace your gears. The tyres will probably go 3000 miles before they need replacing too.

I don't know how you feel about clipless pedals but that would probably be the most immediate big upgrade I'd make right off the bat. The other parts that may need "fine-tuning" would be the saddle and handlebar. Only time will tell if the current ones have the right shape for you. Ride with them for a while before deciding.

In the long run, once you've gotten that itch to upgrade and/or if you wanted to get a bit more performance, I'd consider upgrading the wheels and probably the brakes. What's there right now should be fine however. Good job on snatching that bike. Enjoy...

I have the Poprad in a 57. I'm 6' with a 33.75" inseam. I say you made the right decision in passing on that size. Although it fits me well, it seems comparable to my 58 cm Trek.

The deal for the Tourmalet sounds great for that combination of specs - especially with the carbon fork. I've been transforming mine from a pure cyclocross to more of a roadie - only difference now is the brakes. After 55 miles on the road today with new wheels and tires, I can honestly say I like this bike more than ever.The steel is incredibly smooth, and gives me a great alternative to my other, full carbon bike.

I'm sure you will enjoy yours too.

55/Rad

LeMonds are outstanding bikes, among the best made for quality, durability, customer service..the whole experience. The sloping tube geometry is very comfortable, too.

I think you made an excellent choice.

I have the same exact bike! That is also a great price.

Those Bontrager tires are pretty rough. I would switch them out for smoother tires. Other components are just fine.

Keep in mind that Lemond measures c-c. So Lemond 55cm is similar to 57cm Trek.

Enjoy the ride.

-T

My wife has the WSD Tourmalet. She absolutely loves it. She switched from a aluminum bike and is so glad she did. LeMond started making these out of aluminum in 'o4.
Pretty little thang too! :D

I have the Poprad in a 57. I'm 6' with a 33.75" inseam. I say you made the right decision in passing on that size. Although it fits me well, it seems comparable to my 58 cm Trek.

The deal for the Tourmalet sounds great for that combination of specs - especially with the carbon fork. I've been transforming mine from a pure cyclocross to more of a roadie - only difference now is the brakes. After 55 miles on the road today with new wheels and tires, I can honestly say I like this bike more than ever.The steel is incredibly smooth, and gives me a great alternative to my other, full carbon bike.

I'm sure you will enjoy yours too.

55/Rad
hey 55,
My girl friend test rode that 2004 Poprad with 105 yesterday and we were both impressed. The only thing is the seat really sucked. So with a new seat and some egg beaters an a couple other items her total is 1500. Does that sound ok?

On topic: The 57cm sounds way too big for you. CX bikes will measure shorter b/c the BB height is greater. So you would want to be on the lower frame size. Of course really the TT length is the only important thing. imo They should really call a frame size by it's TT instead of the ST, especially b/c of the popular sloping geometries these days.

hey 55,
My girl friend test rode that 2004 Poprad with 105 yesterday and we were both impressed. The only thing is the seat really sucked. So with a new seat and some egg beaters an a couple other items her total is 1500. Does that sound ok?

I believe the MSRP for the '04 Poprad - this bike:

(http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/poprad.shtml

is less than $1100. Please excuse me if I am wrong. And it used to be that you could get this bike for less than MSRP pretty easily. Now that it is back to offering 105 as opposed to Sora, I don't know.

$1500 sounds pretty steep even with the seat, eggos, LBS prep, fit and support. I'd check around the net, including Ebay, and see if you can find it for substantially (more than a couple hundred $) less.

Comparably, the Fuji Roubaix Pro is a Reynolds 853, carbon fork, and 105 equipped bike that can be had for around $8/900. Good bike too.

55/Rad