Road Cycling - Lemond Nevada City

Hey-
Anyone have any experience with the Lemond Nevada City? I'm looking at getting a road bike for training on the road for MTB XC racing. Weight is not a huge concern with me. I just need a bike that will last a while and will be upgradable for the future, as I will not have the money for an entire new bike for a while. I know buying a bike is a personal thing with fit and other concerns, but I am looking for suggestions. If anyone has any other bikes in a similar price range($500-$800) that they have experience with or would suggest, I would appreciate the responses. THANKS!

I know that Motobecane, KHS,and Specialized have fairly good Road bikes under $800.

No first hand experience, but the people I know that have LeMond bikes don't have complaints (except cheap paint), and they seem to be a pretty good value. Even though the Nevada City doesn't have any reviews on RoadBikeReview.com (http://www.roadbikereview.com/Road,Bike/PLS_1610_76crx.aspx), LeMond bikes as a whole seem to get pretty favorable reviews.

FWIW.

I would have to say , check out the FELT bikes.
www.felt.de/

I own the LeMond Zurich with the 853 tubing and Ultegra Components. Absolutely no complaints, steel offers a great compliant ride that inspires confidenct in all situations. The geometries are the same, just different parts.

I love my bike! What else can I say?

L8R

I bought the Nevada City this past fall as my first road bike. so far, so good. No problems with the paint either. Only things I've changed are the saddle and pedals. My only caution are the Sora components. Although I"ve not had any mechanical problems yet, you can't shift from the drops, and it's not as easily upgradable as the other Shimano groups.
The reason I went with the NC is that I'm short, needed a sub-50cm bike, and didn't want to mail-order a bike w/out test-riding it first. The bike shop I bought it from was the most interested in me and my needs compared to the other ones in town. Oh, and I liked the steel over the AL bikes I tested.
Bottom line, if I thought I had a chance finding a better-spec'ed used steel bike in my size, I would have waited, but then I'd still be waiting...

Thanks for all the input guys - I picked up the Nevade City yesterday 5/12/02. Unfortunately, its been pouring rain since the day I picked it up, so I've only had short rides in the breaks in the rain since then. Its my first road bike so I'm still getting used to the position I ride it in compared to my mountain bike, but it looks like I'll like it a lot. Just wanted to say THANKS for the advice -
Moabrider