Road Cycling - lemond

Hello all. I have the opportunity to purchase a 55cm Lemond Buenos Aires Frame. Model year 2000. I am 5,11. Does any one have any info on this frame. I know its steel and thats what I am looking for. I may also purchase a LeMond Maillot Jaune 55cm 1999 does anyone have any info on this frame as well. Which one would be better? I plan on riding quite a bit and I want to build my own bike, but I want a quality frame that will last a long time.

Hello all. I have the opportunity to purchase a 55cm Lemond Buenos Aires Frame. Model year 2000. I am 5,11. Does any one have any info on this frame. I know its steel and thats what I am looking for. I may also purchase a LeMond Maillot Jaune 55cm 1999 does anyone have any info on this frame as well. Which one would be better? I plan on riding quite a bit and I want to build my own bike, but I want a quality frame that will last a long time.

Lemond is certainly a quality frame, with Reynolds 853 steel.

The important thing for you is would the frame fit you properly?

Just knowing your height is not enough. The most important fitting on a bike is the length of the top tube in relation to whether or not you have a long or short upper body in rrelation to your legs. I.e., I have short legs and a very long upper body, others just the opposite. I would make a great Sumo wrestler. So, the bike needs to fit that criteria. Typically. Lemonds fit folks such as me better than some other bikes.

55cm is probably pretty close, but you need to have some sort of a "fitting" before you go to all of the expense of building a bike and then discover the frame was not correctly sized. Most LBS's will "fit" you for a fee, if you are not buying a bike from them.

Sounds like a fun project. Sure others will have much to add.

I have a '98 maillot jaune (55 cm) and a '01 Poprad (57 cm) I am 6" tall and my inseam is 33.75". Both fit me the same with differing stem lengths, seat heights and saddle positioning.

Both are 853 steel. But the MJ is 853 everywhere except for the carbon fork and the Poprad is main tubes only, like the Buenos Aires. The rest of the bike, except fork, is 751 I believe. The ride on both is wonderful.

The MJ is the same as a Zurich, they just came with different components. Around 1999/2000, the MJ came in Aluminum - stay away from that. Also, the older models, like my '98, come with 1" threaded headsets.

Great bikes - you won't be disappointed. But, as DnvrFox said, it's about the fit.

55/Rad

Close. I'm 6' even and when i tested i did a 57 and it felt right.

Hello all. I have the opportunity to purchase a 55cm Lemond Buenos Aires Frame. Model year 2000. I am 5,11. Does any one have any info on this frame. I know its steel and thats what I am looking for. I may also purchase a LeMond Maillot Jaune 55cm 1999 does anyone have any info on this frame as well. Which one would be better? I plan on riding quite a bit and I want to build my own bike, but I want a quality frame that will last a long time.

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the MJ made from a slightly better quality steel than the BA? I know this year, with the new hybrid frames, that the BA, Zurich and MJ are all on the same frame with different grouppo.

Being somewhat of a (new) LeMond Snob, I would opt for the MJ. :rolleyes:

I've only done short term test rides on LeMonds. I liked the steel frames and have only recently gotten to try out the aluminum frames. While I was able to notice subtle differences between the steel models, I didn't notice that much between the aluminum ones. However, as I've said, I don't have any long term experience with either of them. How do you LeMond gurus compare the aluminum to the steel frames for the same spec level of bike? Do you think LeMond made a mistake by converting part of their lineup to aluminum?

I've only done short term test rides on LeMonds. I liked the steel frames and have only recently gotten to try out the aluminum frames. While I was able to notice subtle differences between the steel models, I didn't notice that much between the aluminum ones. However, as I've said, I don't have any long term experience with either of them. How do you LeMond gurus compare the aluminum to the steel frames for the same spec level of bike? Do you think LeMond made a mistake by converting part of their lineup to aluminum?

When I first started saving for a new road bike, I was aiming towards the BA, then raised my sights to the Zurich. I really wanted a steel frame. In my meanderings between the Trek 5200 all CF frame and the Zurich, I found that in the reviews I was able to find, the hybrid CF/Steel Zurich rides no different from the all steel frame, but is a much superior frame.

As to the rest of the less expensive models, I think they should have maintained all steel. My reasoning is that they are owned by Trek and if you wanted an aluminum frame, get a Trek. You want steel, get a Lemond.

I have a 55cm BA. The bike is great, but the geometry puts me (5.9 with 30 inch inseam) too far behind the pedal. Some strong riders love this, I prefer to spin and this works against me. Good Luck!

I've been riding my Lemond MJ for almost a year now... it is a 2001 MJ... 853 Steel.. I'm 5'10" with a 31" inseam, and a 54cm fits me perfectly... a 55 would probably be about right for you... depends on your inseam.. the Lemonds seem to favour those with shorter legs and longer torsos...

I love mine though... it's gets better and better every ride... it does need a new saddle though

jeff

Hello all. I have the opportunity to purchase a 55cm Lemond Buenos Aires Frame. Model year 2000. I am 5,11. Does any one have any info on this frame. I know its steel and thats what I am looking for. I may also purchase a LeMond Maillot Jaune 55cm 1999 does anyone have any info on this frame as well. Which one would be better? I plan on riding quite a bit and I want to build my own bike, but I want a quality frame that will last a long time.


Actually, the 853 and MJ are made entirely of 853-Pro steel which is shaped to add stiffness and shave weight. This frame is currently sold as the MJ classic (see th eLeMond website). Some would argue that 853 Pro is the best steel tubing available. The BA and Alp D'Huez used regaular 853 which is okay, but given the chooice I'd go for the 853 Pro. Not sure, but I have also heard that some pre 2002 models did not use 853 for the rear triangle.

I have an '03 Zurich - I've upgraded everything but he frame. DA 10 pseed, the works. The bike fits me like aglove and has a great ride it is by no means "slow".

As for fitting, try going to wrenchscience.com - you can measure yourself and find out exactly what frame size you need.

Good luck - Lemond is a great choice IMHO.