dawgfanclark

I have ridden mountain bikes, dirt bikes and currently ride a Triumph. I am looking to start riding (and pedaling) on the road and I have tested some bikes out.
I am going to spend less than $700 (that thread rocks!) and founds a great deal on an 05 Lemond Etape today. It was the only bike I test rode all day that made me want to ride some more.

My question is with regards to the Etape frame vs the Reno frame.

I am 6' 220 and it is my understanding that the alum frame for the Etape is a bit different from the Reno. They only had a 2006 brochure so is this the case for the 2005 Lemond Etape and Reno. Also, would I notice a big deal (or need) the frame that comes with the Reno? If need be, I guess I could dish out a bit of extra cash but I must admit I LOVED the ride of the Etape.

Any advice on these frames and what I might need is appreciated.

As a sidenote, I found a pretty good deal on a 2002 Tourmalet (853 double steel). Is this worth considering? They say it has less than 50 miles on it. Would the ride/feel be comparable to the Etape that I enjoyed so much?

af2nr

I had a Etape as my first bike last summer and I loved it! The geometry of the Reno and Etape would be the same but I think the Reno uses a little higher grade of aluminum than the Etape, the other difference between the two is the groups on the bikes. The Reno comes with the Tiagra/105 9 spd v. the Sora 8 spd equipped Etape. While I never had any problem with my Sora group it would be MUCH cheaper to upgrade the Reno than the Sora components, imo. Also the 02 steel would be a much different ride than the aluminum and I think the geometry is different too. Good luck and let us know what you decide and then post some pics!

dawgfanclark

Is the "higher grade aluminum" anything that would affect the performance or reliability positively in comparison the the Etape frame? I am not concerned about weight as much as strength right now with my weight of 220. If the Reno frame is just lighter by x lbs. it would not be that big of deal to me.

I was curious as to how much more of a quality aluminum frame the Reno has.

Thanks for the help.

CardiacKid

My lbs told me the frame of the Etope and Reno are identical. The difference is the components. If you are going to get serious about riding, they are probably worth the extra money, but that is debatable. If you have small hands, you will find the Sora shifters difficult to use in the drops.
The upgraded wheels might also be important for someone your size, although I have never heard any real complaints about the base wheels.

baj32161

I test rode the '05 Etape back when I was shopping for road bikes last February. I loved it and when I was ready to buy I went down to the shop with the full intention of buying the Etape. That is until they pulled an '04 Tourmalet out of the back with 105/Ultegra. If they had never shown me that bike, I would be the proud owner of a LeMond Etape right now. You didn't say what kind of deal you were offered but that is one fine entry level bike.

Cheers,

Brian

dawgfanclark

The offer I was made was the following:

$512 for the 2005 Etape. (Is this a good deal?)
- Shop will change out stem for free in first few months if I prefer a different one.
- Lifetime adjustments - Good for me as I like to ride and usually just make things worse when I tweak.

I am going to check and see if they have a 05 Reno for under $700 as I would consider this. If not, I will most likely just pick up the Etape as I am sure it will serve my needs wonderfully for several years. If I get really ticked at the components, I will just upgrade.

baj32161

Good deal indeed...if its new. If I could get that I would buy it for my second bike in a heartbeat.

Cheers,

Brian

Totoro

In February, you might find a 2004 (new) for about $400 is you look around. I paid $900 for my LeMond Buenos Aires last February from an LBS. And they had a Reno for $450.

dawgfanclark

If I found a new (2004 even) 55 Reno for less than $500, I would grab my keys immediately.
I am working Google right now.

dawgfanclark

Ok.
I have found what may be a good deal and would love some advice. I have found a 2002 853 steel Lemond Tourmalet with less than 100 miles on it with better components. I may be able to get this bike for under $600.
The main concern I have is that I love the ride/feel of the 2005 Etape. Would the ride feel (angles, and by this I mean that I know steel will feel different) of the 2002 55 cm Tourmalet be very different from the 55 cm 2005 Etape?

I may not get a chance to ride the 02' Tourmalet but if someone out there knows how the ride and fit will be compared to the Etape that I loved, I would very much appreciated the help.

Thanks.

af2nr

I couldn't tell you the difference between the grades of aluminum used other than the numbers, the Etape uses 6061 aluminum and the Reno 6066 aluminum. How much or what the differences are I couldn't tell other than the 6066 is used up the line for them.

As far as the 02 steel bike, the geometry is going to be totally different between it and what you have ridden so far. It, the 02, has a "traditional" geometry where as the Etape/Reno have a sloping geometry. To get a better perspective you can check out the LeMond site and look at the 03 Tourmalet, it was the oldest I could find or really just any steel bike and compare to the aluminum. Should be pretty easy to see the difference!

baj32161

Where do you guys find all these LeMond deals?
I am so jealous!!!

dawgfanclark

The Lemond is on eBay.
I will most likely play it safe and go with the 05' Etape that I rode as I KNOW it feels good. I just have the feeling that I may miss out on some good components with the 02' Tourmalet. Thing is, I would bet that for me as a new rider, a 2005 Sora component group will be just fine. I am not going to be racing and I just want to do 10 to 30 mile rides a few times a week.

I would just be so ticked it I bought the Tourmalet from eBay and it did not feel as good or better to me than the Etape.

This forum is incredible by the way.

wogamax

Shame you can't try the 853 Lemond, or any other 853 bike. It will feel diferent than than aluminum. You might appreciate the ride. Also, 105 is rumored to be a bigger step up from Sora/Tiagra, than 105 is to Ultegra/DurAce.

dawgfanclark

UPDATE as I just found the following tidbits:

When comparing the frame measurements and angles between the 2005 Etape (brochure) and the 2002 Tourmalet (per seller) they match exactly. This makes me feel better about trying out the used bike.

Also, the seller will let me try it out and I can get my $$ back if I do not like it. He as a 7 day return policy. Of course, I will be out quite a bit in shipping but even the 05' Etape does not come with a trial period.

I personally have always preferred steel to aluminum when riding mtn bikes and I think that I make like the steel better in a road bike.

I may have to put a bid in on this thing. The seller is being extremely helpful and it is actually a bike shop that is selling it and the bike shop logo on the bike matches the listing and the guy responding to me.

af2nr

They may measure the same but the ride is going to be different. The Etape has a more "relaxed" ride with the sloping top tube whereas the steel bikes have a more "classic" non-sloping top tube. If you can try and find a steel LeMond at a LBS and take it for a ride, or maybe even a Trek and then compare. The sloping will allow you a more upright position v. the more aggresive position of the classic. Best of luck!

dawgfanclark

I guess I was mistaken but even when looking at the brochure picture, it appeared that the Tourmalet (albeit a 2006) had the same sloping top tube as the Etape. When you compare the Tourmalet to say a photo of a Poprad, it looks like the Tourmalet has the slope.
I guess this would be a wrench in my master plan. Thank you for the information and help.

af2nr

You are correct with that assumption. The new Tourmalets are the same as the Etape and Reno it is just another step up from them. But it is also now aluminum as well. If you go to LeMonds site and look at the bike archive the 03 Tourmalet is steel and that would be the like the 02, I tried looking at the 02 but the page wouldn't open. No problem and best of luck!

markwebb

I don't think that Tourmalet is 853 steel - I thought the Tourmalets were built with 525. The next step up - Alpe de Huez - used 853 in triangle only and 525 on rear stays as i recall. Rad55 will know exactly. Is there a pic of frame with 853 sticker? If not -ask seller to take pic of sticker on frame to verify 853 steel.

The steel Tourmalet also won't have a sloping geometry - it should be more traditional geometry.

My sister has an Etape. She likes it a lot. But we did change out her wheels - the stock wheels on the Lemond low-end frames are really really horrible. Figure about $300 for a better wheel set (I gave them to her as a present). And the Sora brifters on the Etape are really really bad - you need at least 105 shifters. You can live with the Tiagra derailleurs but you'll need to change out the shifters. Figure another $100. So your first upgrades will set you back $400 which means you'll have $900 invested in Lemonds lowest frame. Not good. My sis got wheels from me and a nice used 105 shifter set with 105 brakes for $75 on eBay so she's not really out much in her upgrades.

The Tourmalet - even if it's 525 steel should be much better. Steel really is a better ride. Should be at least 105 components and maybe even an Ultegra rear derailleur. You'll still want to change wheels out later probably but can at least get a season out of the stock wheels. Go for the Tourmalet.

dawgfanclark

There is a picture of the frame where it does state "Reynolds 853 Designer Select Butted Main Tube"

I am now wondering if there are multiple metals going on.

I have been reading reviews on the Sora group and half the folks say they are heavy but bullet-proof (guy who has ridden XTR, XT, LX, STX mtb) while the other half say they are worthless.

Very tough decision.