1991 Lemond Columbus Chromor Bike
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1991 Lemond Columbus Chromor Bike
I have the above described bike hanging in my garage for a long time. I purchased the frame in 1991 brand new and built it up with mostly Shimano 105 parts. Over the years things have been changed (STI shifting) most notably some take off cyclo-cross wheels (the original wheel set was popping spokes regularly. Wheels and tires have maybe 100 miles on them. The bike works perfectly.
This is the era of Ten Speed Drive Imports and hand made lugged frame.
I hardly ever road this bike. Never been in the rain. It has maybe a couple nicks or chips in the paint by the bottom bracket. Never been crashed. It looks beautiful in its black glory. I think the frame is a 59cm.
I tried riding it again last summer but at 51 years old I'm not into the drop bar position. I guess I should sell it.
What's it worth?
I can post some pictures tomorrow. I have the original brochure but it does not show the Cromor tubing bike. I know, that is Columbus's lower end tubing.
Searched eBay but most of those bikes (frames) are in way worst condition.
This is the era of Ten Speed Drive Imports and hand made lugged frame.
I hardly ever road this bike. Never been in the rain. It has maybe a couple nicks or chips in the paint by the bottom bracket. Never been crashed. It looks beautiful in its black glory. I think the frame is a 59cm.
I tried riding it again last summer but at 51 years old I'm not into the drop bar position. I guess I should sell it.
What's it worth?
I can post some pictures tomorrow. I have the original brochure but it does not show the Cromor tubing bike. I know, that is Columbus's lower end tubing.
Searched eBay but most of those bikes (frames) are in way worst condition.
Last edited by Charleetho; 12-24-13 at 09:16 AM.
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A CroMor framed bike with 105 may not bring as much as you like. Pics and location will help determine the value. Look at some of the post over in the regular section to get an idea of what types of pics to post. (one pic of the bike from 50ft is pretty useless)
You didn't ride it much but the original wheels were breaking spokes? Sounds like you rode it more than you think or you have some really lousy wheels.
You didn't ride it much but the original wheels were breaking spokes? Sounds like you rode it more than you think or you have some really lousy wheels.
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
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A CroMor framed bike with 105 may not bring as much as you like. Pics and location will help determine the value. Look at some of the post over in the regular section to get an idea of what types of pics to post. (one pic of the bike from 50ft is pretty useless)
You didn't ride it much but the original wheels were breaking spokes? Sounds like you rode it more than you think or you have some really lousy wheels.
You didn't ride it much but the original wheels were breaking spokes? Sounds like you rode it more than you think or you have some really lousy wheels.

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Bianchigirll is right; pictures would be a big help in providing value estimates.
By 1991, Cromor was available in both standard and OS tube diameters; are your Lemond's tubes OS? That would make a difference to some potential buyers.
Cromor is more mid-range tubing than low end. It is seamed, but the seam is very homogeneous and after the tube is drawn and butted, it's virtually the same as seamless. It's a very decent double-butted chromoly tubeset, higher in the Columbus pecking order than Aelle, Gara, or Zeta, but not quite as strong or as light as the Cyclex tubes like SL, SLX, etc.

By 1991, Cromor was available in both standard and OS tube diameters; are your Lemond's tubes OS? That would make a difference to some potential buyers.
Cromor is more mid-range tubing than low end. It is seamed, but the seam is very homogeneous and after the tube is drawn and butted, it's virtually the same as seamless. It's a very decent double-butted chromoly tubeset, higher in the Columbus pecking order than Aelle, Gara, or Zeta, but not quite as strong or as light as the Cyclex tubes like SL, SLX, etc.


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Finally got around to getting some pictures.
Overall pic. Details to follow

Overall pic. Details to follow


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Decals are in excellent shape.





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Last pics I promise. Some of the really cool details showing the craftsmanship.



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Have the original brochure also.
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Nice looking bike, but looks big for a 60. Too bad it doesn't still have the original....OH which was the original 105 group? The champagne colored 105SC or the plane jane silver 105?
I don't think these 10 Speed Drive frames were hand built by a single craftsman laboring away to perfection but rather a sort of assembly line type thing. I think one group of people built rear triangles, one group built fronts and third welded the two togather. then sent them on to the next lot for alignment and prep work.
I don't think these 10 Speed Drive frames were hand built by a single craftsman laboring away to perfection but rather a sort of assembly line type thing. I think one group of people built rear triangles, one group built fronts and third welded the two togather. then sent them on to the next lot for alignment and prep work.
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
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There was no "original" group.
I purchased it as a bare frame. I worked at a shop and built it with 105 components. I have the original bio-pace (bio-waste) silver 105 crank set, Down tube (6-speed) 105 shifters, and original short cage derailleurs. When I moved to Colorado in 1998 I changed it to a triple crank and long cage derailleur. Also, 7 speed cassette (was a freewheel) with RSX shifters. RSX is 8 speed, but works with 7 speed spacing.
Higher end frames we would have built up with Shimano 600 (Ultegra). Our shop did not carry Campy items.
I purchased it as a bare frame. I worked at a shop and built it with 105 components. I have the original bio-pace (bio-waste) silver 105 crank set, Down tube (6-speed) 105 shifters, and original short cage derailleurs. When I moved to Colorado in 1998 I changed it to a triple crank and long cage derailleur. Also, 7 speed cassette (was a freewheel) with RSX shifters. RSX is 8 speed, but works with 7 speed spacing.
Higher end frames we would have built up with Shimano 600 (Ultegra). Our shop did not carry Campy items.
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I'd say you could get $300 for the frame/fork on eBay. Pre-Trek Lemonds are getting a lot of attention lately, mostly because of the man himself being in the news a fair bit lately due to the Lance Armstrong story. A lot of cycling fans feel that the Lemond brand was killed off by Trek because of Greg's outspoken criticism of Lance way back before the whole story broke and that has given the Bilato-built bikes a bit of a boost in popularity.
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