privatecowboy

I'm really drooling over the '05 Sarthe.

I've noticed that 853 is not being used in the new Lemond non-spined, classics.

How do these new frames compare to the "older" 853 frames?

Massive amounts of bike lusting occurs everytime I see the Sarthe's orange frame.

I look forward to your responses.


Later,

PC

ultra-g

They are very similar air hardened steel tubes... my Poprad has OX Platinum top/down/seat/head tubes and Reynolds 853 seat/chain stays. I know this because I actually ask LeMond customer support. They don't say so on their website, and some places say the Poprad is Reynolds and others say it's OX Platinum.

Reynolds 853 180-210 ksi
Reynolds flagship tubeset The strength to weight ratio is equal to that of quality titanium tubes. These tubes are heat-treated and air-harden when cooling adding strength, well in excess of as delivered values in the critical joint areas. 853 also increases stiffness through reduced micro-yielding at the joints

True Temper OX Platinum 150-217 ksi True Temper's answer to 853 and the replacement for OX Gold. Strengths include a 11% increase in fatigue life and a 20% higher impact strength over other air hardening/heat treated materials. Up to 8% lighter than OX Gold, due to increased butting differentials.

Trekke

So drool. I can tell you first hand this bike rides as good as it looks. The classic steel and Veloce shifting are sooooo sweet...

dawglover

Nice bike. I just bought a Croix de Fer and I love it. I actually test rode the Sarthe, but it was just out of my price range. I do love the feeling of the steel ride, and that is what sold me.

Trekke

Same frame (my understanding) just different component group and wheels. I actually was looking at the buenes Aires 05 with the Veloce group. Same group as the Sarthe but spline frame. Choose the Sarthe for traditional clasic steel and color. Could not justify the difference in price just for the spline frame although people say it is very nice. I test rode one (an 04) and it was sweet but the Sarthe just overwhelmed me.

markwebb

I picked up a 1990-something Lemond Maillot Jaune on eBay. All steel 853 pro frame. Great components. Spent less than a grand. It's just a little used - more than described in the auction but still not abused. Almost new - when we took out bb and replced with new Ult triple, the original bb looked like it had less than 500 miles on it. Rode it for first time today. It was awesome. A keeper. I think the Lemond 853's are destined to be much sought-after as they get harder to find - true classics.

Serpico

buy the sarthe

Trekke

I agree. seems to be the best value

privatecowboy

Should people who live on the Atlantic coast worry about "The Rusties" when buying a beautiful steel framed bike like the Sarthe?

Oh yeah, is 20lbs an accurate estimate for a 57 Sarthe?

I think I'll order one tomorrow. I just need to cover all my bases.

-PC

Trekke

Frame against frame it will weigh more than a weight wienee Al or Carbon frame. It weighs a bit more than my all AL trek. However, the Sarthe has a good wheel set that is very light and a carbon seat post and fork. All rigged out and ready to role it feels (I have not weighed) very similar to my all AL bike. To me the weight difference (if much at all) is worth it. IMO. I am not a racer. I am a long distance rider so the comfort means way more to me. However, on my early rides with the Sarthe I see no negative effect on speed (average or max) and it appears the Sarthe is wonderful in the hills.

Moonshot

Can you get the Sarthe as a frameset?

Trekke

I have never seen it that way.

shokhead

Steel and rust problems is such BS. If you take care,dont worry about rust and a steel bike. If your a lazy a$$, well dont get a bike at all. LOL