Lemond Buenos Aires
 

I saw an ad for Lemond Buenos Aires mens' road bike, in good used condition. It has a Reynolds 853 steel frame, 54 cm size. The seller doesn't know the year. Asking $500. I am guessing it would be difficult to appraise without knowing the year? What do you'll think? Thanks.

I am trying to add pictures. Hope this works!

1999
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...ires&Type=bike

Much appreciated for the quick response! So, would this be considered a vintage bike? anyway of finding out a good price range of current asking prices? Cheers.

Not really old enough to normally be considered Vintage. But, it is a Lemond, an 853 steel framed bike, and it is too old for the Road Cycling guys. So, you're in the correct place.

You can also that I am too old for Road Cycling myself :-) and proud member of the 50+ group. I found a site called bicycle blue book and it lists the price range for good condition from $250-257, so I guess the asking price is twice as much. Do you good folks ever use the blue book site for pricing? Cheers.

BBB has proven to be not very accurate on "collectable" bicycle values. It appears that they simply use a standard depreciation system and don't take much else into consideration.

It's a great bike. That isn't the original wheelset. My 2001 BA also was yellow (the last year I believe Lemond had a road bike with a quill stem) also was a triple and the derailleur was able to take a larger freewheel (just need a new chain or add a few links) so I was never at a loss for gears. Feels fast. Probably even in primo shape a seller wouldn't be looking for more than $500 but that's probably way too much except for a buyer like me who might be willing to pay a couple hundred extra for the nostalgia factor..

Many thanks for that. I guess I may wait for a better deal then.

Good to know. Do you recommend any other sites? Or should I just stick with the bikeforum? Cheers.

I suggest sticking here.

It's in DC. I wonder if he will get his price.

Indeed it is, fellow Washingtonian :-) So, what would be a fair price for it? taking into account that it was not ridden not serviced in a few years. Cheers.

I am in Baltimore County. Go look at the bike. Make a decision on what it's worth to you combined with fair market.
From what I know people either love, or hat Lemond bikes from that time period.
There is a Zurich for $140 in Mclean that people should go get now! It's a 58.

Thanks StarBiker. I probably should have prefaced my post by admitting that I don't know much about bikes, since I resumed cycling recently after some 35 years of absence, and now trying to ease into it with four back surgeries! So, I am pretty clueless about what to look for in a bike or how to judge its quality. It just caught my eyes when I was browsing through.

I am 5' 8" with an inseam of 29-30" so I gather than a 58 bike may be too big for me. My (only) bike is a size medium, which is 54 cm.

Cheers.

That Zurich for $140 is probably a scam, and not representative of FMV anyway.

This Buenos Aires is at FMV. Just the Reynolds 853 frame and fork alone can go for $200.

Something to consider: LeMond road bikes often have a long top tube, and sometimes a stem with long extension as well. Great if you like that kind of geometry where you like to stretch out, but if you have a short torso, might not be the best fit. At 5'8, I'd be looking at a 54 as a starting point. I agree that a 58 is probably too big, especially in a LeMond.

I do have a short fat torso and I prefer a less aggressive seating position so your comment on the length of the tube is very relevant. Many thanks for that. So it looks like I would hold off for another find. I just love how those old bikes look especially those with the slim and rounded tubes! Mine is unfortunately isn't. Cheers.

Ask, I am not versed enough to recommend a bike, but somebody may be able to recommend a better frame Geometry for you.
Go ask a couple LBS. Doesn't hurt.

In my opinion, that bike is worth about $350.

FWIW, I've been tracking these bikes for awhile, and $500 is pretty much standard ask - any less, and they tend to go quickly.
Do a CL search in your area, there are a few, but as you might have found, perhaps the LeMond geometry isn't your cupa.
And that $170 58cm is definitely a scam. Stay away.

a very intersting bike, like it !

Sarthe
 

Hi,

Just saw your post. First I'm local in Baltimore and might be thinking of selling my 2005 53cm Lemond Sarthe?? Second, the BA you listed was never made in a 54cm. It is either a 53 or 55cm. At your height it is a big difference. I'm 5'10. I've owned a 55cm 1999 Zurich(same frame as BA) which barely fit. Very long top tube. I fit better on the 53cm. You may be a 53 or even a 51cm. Probably 53cm. 853 Lemonds are great rides. Paint in 1999 was horrible. Other than that just a great ride. Wheels would have been Rolfs. Bullet proof but no longer rebuildable. Price is dependent on condition and availability and seems to fluctuate up and down.

Good info for the OP. I'd just add for the OP's sake 2 thoughts. One, asking prices are just that. If this bike is worth 350-400, and he's asking 500, he might be asking that because he plans to settle at 350-400. Especially if it sits a while. CL is all about negotiating. Second, if you're not sure what size you need, then take every opportunity to go test ride a bunch of bikes. This bike might actually fit you pretty well, and the seller may be willing to bargain in person (as opposed to trying to negotiate a price before you see it, which rarely works well).

It seems that no one wanted a Lemond when they were being sold, especially at the end. My LBS heavily discounted her Lemonds and always had leftovers from prior years, sometimes 3 to 4 years. I think brand identity had a lot to do with it. The older Lemonds, pretty much anything with a quill and stem were more Lemond than Trek. Once you see Bontrager on Lemond it becomes blurry on certain models whether you are buying a Lemond or Trek equivalent just with a longer top tube.

There is now somewhat of a demand for Lemonds which is driving some of the pricing. Certain models like older Zurichs, BA(853), the Ti frames, Poprads and Sarthes seem to doing quite well. On the other hand the more rebadged Treks are sometimes priced quite low. If your looking for a Lemond you will probably end up paying more because of sometimes low inventory for sale. If your just looking for a good bike then there are probably lower priced bikes of similar quality just not badged Lemond.

I agree, $350 is a fair price for the BA if the Lemond brand is not important and you are just wanting a good steel bike with solid components. If you want the Lemond name and 853 steel then $400 to $500 may be more in line if very few are on the local market. Supply and demand.

The online bluebook is a place to sometimes get specs, like bikepedia, and to sometimes get a very general idea of market pricing subject to heavy verification.

I like Lemonds and am always watching for a Reno or NevadaCity or Tourmalet from that time period that fits whatever my current budget is at the moment. I'm a little long in the torso so Lemond's geometry often suits me well enough.

To the OP, figure out your preferred bike sizing and what type of bike you want to end up with, it will greatly help your searching.

I am local. You will see me on my Trek 660 on the sidewalk going up, and down york road.
I have sold numerous bikes on CL, and I try to list on both Baltimore, and DC CL.
Funny, the Baltimore crowd all wants high end, where the DC crowd will buy quality bikes under $300. And many Baltimore buyers are building their own bikes. At least these are my observations

-M-