trekkie820

I hate doing this, because so many morons post things like this with having done no research in the MTB forum. But, I have researched, compared and decided that one of these three will be in my future. The Lemond Reno, Specialized Allez or the Trek 1200. Since my LBS doesn't have any of these available to test ride, I need an alternate source for information, and I figured this is the best I can get. I am leaning towards Lemond, but I need to know how each runs.

iamtim

I know you are looking for well-researched opinions, but I'm going to give you mine anyway.

I was in one of my LBSs the other night; they happened to have a few Lemonds in stock. I'd never seen a Lemond close up before -- I'm a Trek guy -- and I was pretty impressed. I see Trek and Specialized all over the place; it was refreshing to see the Lemonds.

Granted, I didn't ride it, didn't really look at the components, heck, I didn't even have it taken down off the "top" bike shelf. It just looked cool.

Hugh

What size bike are you looking for, trekkie820? And what kind of riding will you be doing?

trekkie820

I ride 19" MTB now, not sure about road sizing but I am 6'2" and 230 pounds. I will be doing fast road rides, usually hilly, and long. I am looking to train for and ride the 150 mile, 2 day MS 150 event, and things similar to that. This will be a daily ride.

55/Rad

Certainly not under it's own power.....

Truth is, all 3 are fine bikes and you will have many people recommending all of them. The goal is to find the best one for you - which means the very least you'll need to figure out is the following:

-which one fits better
-which one, in your opinion, feels better
-which one looks better

Fit is the most important and you can get help figuring this out. The other 2 are very subjective and personal - things that only you can guage for yourself.

Good luck.

55/Rad

Hugh

I just got a Reno a couple of weeks ago, but I've only had it out for a couple of 15-milers. All aluminium frame, so none of that cushy carbon seatstay stuff, but mine's a 61cm, and I think a larger frame rides a little smoother, even if it is all alu. I'll be doing 2 - 3 short rides and probably one 40-50 miler per week, with an MS150 and maybe a century during the summer. Just got a new Brooks B17 today, too. The stock saddle was okay, but we'll see how the Brooks works out.

I'm very happy with the new bike so far--mostly Tiagra with a 105 rear derailleur, although the LBS did upgrade the wheels when I bought it (I'm 210 pounds, 6'5"). After riding quite a few bikes, I just liked the way the Reno rode best.

My 2 cents. Cheers.

alanbikehouston

Ya gotta ride them. At a given price point, most road bikes are very similar. Today, most $1,000 bikes, regardless of their decals, will have an aluminum frame and a carbon fork, both made in communist China. Most of the key components will be identical, or very similar, in quality.

So, how do you pick a bike? The first three factors are "good fit", "good fit" and "good fit". And, getting a "good fit" has become very difficult. Road bikes used to be fun, fast transportation. Today, they are an opportunity to pretend to be "Lance Armstrong".

Many shops put customers on bikes that are two or three inches too small. The riders are positioned with their hands four inches below the saddle, with their noses against the stem. They look like Lance. They feel like hell. For comfort, most riders need to have their hands up as high as the saddle. And, getting the bars that high requires that the frame not be toy sized.

The second "Shop" issue is service. The best bike shop is one that is a five minute walk from your home and offers first rate service. That way, when your bike needs adjustments (and it will) you can ride over and get the work done. And, if you ever have a warranty issue, you want a bike shop that will stand behind the warranty and make sure that you are fully taken care of.

So, you need to be visiting shops. Checking out their service department. Talk with them about getting a proper fit for YOUR riding goals, not someone else's goals. When you find the right shop, they can tell you which of their bikes in your price range will best meet your needs.

merlinextraligh

These bikes are almost interchangeable. If you can't test ride them, I'd pick the one that you think is the most attractive. Any of 3 will be fine.

I know it's easy to spend other people's money, but have you thought of going up just one step to a full 105 bike? I think 105 is a great group. Very durable, and an excellent value point. If you can spare just a little more coin, the Trek 1500, or Allez Ellite, would be a great bike for the use you describe.

trekkie820

I have winter (heaven forbid I call it Christmas) break coming up, so I have some time to look around. Thanks.

jsharr

Without riding them, research won't help much. I rode all three bikes on your list while shopping for my last road bike and ended up buying the Trek 1200. The LeMond was at the top of my list because it was different, not the same bike as everyone else is riding, but when I rode the Trek and the LeMond side by side, I ended up choosing the Trek. It fit me the best, so it is what I bought. The Lemond felt too upright to me, bars were a bit wide, I just felt really upright and spread out on that bike. The Specialized felt good to me, very agile, but just did not quite fit right. The Trek had a bit narrower bars and felt a bit more agressive to me. All three were nice bikes and I could have been happy with any of them.

sofc

I'll give you the real deal here.

Buy the Lemond.

Why?

1. It's classier than the other two
2. Less of them around
3. I have one

NO, this is not a well researched expert opinion, but hey at least I took the time to respond.

Serpico

lemond is best of those three

Rushfan

I rode an '03 Allez Elite for three seasons before getting a Specialized Roubaix last month. Fine bike, basically the same as the other two. The one that fits is the best. About the only component I would worry about is the wheels. If one has better wheels, or you can get better wheels in a deal, assuming it fits you, go with that one.

Good luck with it.

bigskymacadam

i really liked the lemonds first. the allez second. the trek third. why? the look. the feel when i rode them. all nice bikes, however.

CardiacKid

I also am 6'2" and was 230.(Now 200) My other bike is a 19" Trek 830. I tried all 3 of the bikes you are looking at and went with the 63cm Trek. I personally found it the most comfortable. Of course, each person is different,etc. I also don't particularly like compact frames and didn't like the salesman who was trying to sell me the Allez. I gave the benefit of the doubt to the LBS I liked best.

hiracer

A Lemond bike is a Trek bike. Lemond was bought by Trek some time ago.

wagathon

A "common" wisdom is that Trek fits about 90% of riders whereas maybe 70% for Lemond (because of the longish top tube). I do not think this is exactly right as both probably can be set up to fit.

However, in my particular instance, where I would choose a 25.5" or 63c Trek, Bianchi, etc., and get a good fit without many changes, I'd be better off with a 59c Lemond frame and then would need a taller and shorter stem to get a good fit.

Your situation may be different, but I'd say that in general, for Lemond, think about a size smaller frame and less fit problems if yoiu like a more aggressive riding positon.

BillyD

Couldn't be wronger!! Lemonds have a completely different geometry and philosophy than Treks. TOTALLY different bikes!

hiracer

I'm long legs and short torso, but the 61cm Lemond is one of the few bikes I can make fit me. The limitation is that I insist on using a Brooks saddle, as I can't handle anything else. The rails on the Brooks saddle are so short that I have saddle position problems. The 72 degree seat post, coupled with 25mm setback Easton seat post, gets my saddle back to were it needs to be.

I can't ride a bike with a 73 degree seatpost. I end up with too much weight on my hands.

Yes, my stem went from 120mm to 100mm.

So don't assume a long top tube is not for you even if you have long legs. You gotta look at the entire package. Most people would have advised me to get a Trek over a Lemond, given my long legs--and that would have been poor advice.

hiracer

Correct. The bikes are different; the company is the same. I should have been more clear.

chimivee

This is good advice, unless:

a) You want to be like Lance.

b) You can and/or prefer to work on the bike yourself.

AtlAllez

Wow you are in exactly , EXACTLY the same boat i was in. If you click on my name and view some of the threads i made i asked about almost every single one of those bikes. I test rode them all and almost bought a Lemond Reno. Lemond's generally have a longer top tube and allow you to be in more of a streached out position. I test rode the reno and it felt good but, i was talked out of buying a aluminum Lemond and got a sweet deal on an Allez Elite. Which i LOVE! It felt the best to me and it was a nicer bike than the reno. If you can afford it I would look at the 2005 Elites because they will be on sale. It has 105 and you will not be dissipointed, the Reno (tiagra Equiped). Tiagra is generally fine , and i love Lemonds. The Elite comes with a really nice frame for the money, and it is something worth upgrading. Well anyways look at my threads in which i got legthy replys about each bike.

Best of luck, now go out and test ride them!

baj32161

Well whaddya know. I test rode all of these bikes when I was out shopping last February. I test rode the Specialized first, since it was at a shop near my house, and found it to be a nice, lively ride (some would call it twitchy but I liked it). I then went down to Philadelphia and test rode the Trek, which felt a bit sluggish and the fit just wasn't quite right for me...I kept getting a twinge in my back (I am 6'1" 207lbs). I then rode the LeMond and what a difference I felt. The LeMond just sang to me after my first mile or so. I liked the more upright position and the long top tube was a god-send for me. I think you will love it. If they had a Reno in stock I surely would have bought it, but alas, I had to move up one model to the Tourmalet (2004 model) for $200.00 off...more's the pity.

We need more LeMond riders up in here!!!!

Here it is

garysol1 

Care to back that up with anything? Not saying your right or wrong but I would just LOVE to hear your reasoning.

garysol1 

Beautiful bike Baj. Use it well!!