LeMond Bicycles?
03-05-14, 01:22 PM
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LeMond Bicycles?
Are LeMond bicycles considered C&V by most, or even some, of us? Or are they still just "old bikes"? Do you think they ever will become "classics"?
Any favorite models that you ride, or keep an eye out for? What is good or notable about them? How much are they worth, broadly speaking?
The materials used seem to have been all over the place - OCLV carbon fiber, True Temper, 853, aluminum - and there are so many models, that it is hard for me to form a view or sense of the marque.
Any favorite models that you ride, or keep an eye out for? What is good or notable about them? How much are they worth, broadly speaking?
The materials used seem to have been all over the place - OCLV carbon fiber, True Temper, 853, aluminum - and there are so many models, that it is hard for me to form a view or sense of the marque.
03-05-14, 01:36 PM
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You know only the new stuff apparently, you have to go back to 1984, way before all the crap made by trek and using only 2 or 3 reynolds tubes.
03-05-14, 01:58 PM
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I never owned one, but I bet they ride quite nice, especially as the champ had his name on them, so Greg must have made sure the bikes will not embarrass him.
But I do have to confess, that I don't find LeMond bikes very pretty. The typical yellow and black paint and graphic schemes on them just don't look very good or inspiring. Never mind the quite tacky looking "Hand Made" pantographing some of them had on the brake bridges. Yes, Peugeot had "Braise a le main" on their top tubes in the 80's, but it was only a decal....
But I do have to confess, that I don't find LeMond bikes very pretty. The typical yellow and black paint and graphic schemes on them just don't look very good or inspiring. Never mind the quite tacky looking "Hand Made" pantographing some of them had on the brake bridges. Yes, Peugeot had "Braise a le main" on their top tubes in the 80's, but it was only a decal....
03-05-14, 02:12 PM
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I don't know about any of the 1980s or early 1990s LeMond bikes. I've never found any catalogs online and have only seen a handful of them posted here.
03-05-14, 02:27 PM
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Most bikes here are not classic and some of the Lemonds might eventually qualify. I was very impressed with Poprad - nice OS, light steel and attractive.
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03-05-14, 02:51 PM
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Lemond bikes have a small but loyal following.
A Team Z Lemond would certainly draw admiring attention from collectors.
A Team Z Lemond would certainly draw admiring attention from collectors.
03-05-14, 03:10 PM
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The early Lemond bikes are certainly both classic & vintage IMO. There were Billato-made lugged steel frames with Columbus tubing and imported by Ten Speed Drive in the late 80s. Not sure exactly when they first appeared, but I'd guess around '87. There were also Lemond-branded TVT carbon bikes in the late 80s similar to the Looks used by the La Vie Claire team in '86-'87. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ebay seller brev.gabriel (he was kind enough meet me for a local pick-up), and he showed up on a drool-worthy lugged Lemond with full C-record. Personally, I'm not drawn to the later TIG-welded Lemonds, but those who own(ed) them speak very highly of them.
03-05-14, 03:20 PM
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I have an '05 carbon/steel Zurich which basically is a Trek, I guess. I continue to casually look for a vintage Lemond since I'm proud to wear his name on my machine.
03-05-14, 03:52 PM
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Im thinking the best are the first ones made....they had a "team Lemond" thing going in the 80s. the best one was the team Lemond pro....as I recall...any of the older Lemond road bikes made by Della Santa are the best ones and the most desired by collectors. By the way...he was the last Tour de France winner that rode a bike with his name on the downtube....just like Hinault and Merckx before him
03-05-14, 04:26 PM
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Sooner or later I'll find a Zurich at a great price.
Then I will promptly purchase it.
Really a great bike with a decent wheelset.
Then I will promptly purchase it.
Really a great bike with a decent wheelset.
03-05-14, 05:38 PM
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The 2001 LeMond Zurich with Reynolds 853 Pro Team tubing was the first bike I ever fell in love with, at first from afar and then as my first nice bike. I saw it in my local bike shop when new, but as a penniless teen, could only afford to take home the brochure. While in college I scrounged enough money to buy one off of craigslist in 2005, in original kit. It was quick, comfortable, sprinted and climbed really well. I rode it for tens of thousands of miles, and really loved the ride. So much so that I convinced myself it fit, though it was clearly 3-4cm too small. Even so, after the Ultegra shifters started breaking down I upgraded just about everything, and got the weight down to 17lbs even. I rode it for another two years in that configuration and finally sold it after buying a proper C&V ride that fit me. I definitely have a soft spot for LeMond bikes, but as my tastes have gone farther and farther towards classic steel, I don't think I'd buy one of that same period today, even at a steal of a price. In short, great bikes and still very capable, but I don't think the Trek produced ones will ever attain classic status. They were, however, a great attempt to make US made, high performance steel bikes into credible competition for the growing wave of carbon fiber everything.
03-05-14, 07:25 PM
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Lemond had two sources of titanium frames in the early 90s. Latter one was/should be Sandvik. I had a 93 Titanium DA, a Sandvik made bike.
And a Trek era 97 Zurich frame of 853. These LeTreks were still considered very good riders.
And a Trek era 97 Zurich frame of 853. These LeTreks were still considered very good riders.
03-05-14, 07:41 PM
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Litespeed, Sandvik and Trek are confirmed to have made production ti Lemonds at various stages. Merlin made SOME team Lemonds, how many is up for debate. Sampson might have made some as well.
03-05-14, 08:23 PM
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Most of his road bikes have racing geometry, long top tubes, but if you are the type that likes Surly Crosschecks it is a similar feel, except much better. However Proprads and Wayzatas had some more sane geometry and are awesome feeling rides.
03-05-14, 08:48 PM
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Be like Greg 
If anyone is looking to complete an early Lemond, I have an early to mid 1980's Avocet model 20 computer available. USA made 1st units.
Posted in the CV FS thread. Peace
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...lete-w-sensors
If anyone is looking to complete an early Lemond, I have an early to mid 1980's Avocet model 20 computer available. USA made 1st units.
Posted in the CV FS thread. Peace
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...lete-w-sensors
Last edited by crank_addict; 03-05-14 at 08:52 PM.
03-05-14, 09:21 PM
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I'd also have to agree that the early LeMonds from (from Greg's own label) are on the cusp of becomming 'classics.' Word of mouth is gradually gaining a few ears, and I've seen the prices gradully rise since the summer when I bought & restored mine.
So, if you're into collecting (or just looking for a fine ride), now is the time to find them. As an example, around here every few months or so, some guy who doesn't know any better puts a totally sweet early LeMond on our CL for around $200 - $300 with a listing like, "old bike." I'm sure that can't be unique, that it's likely the case everywhere, and that in five or six years such deals will be a thing if the past.
The later Trek-made 853 LeMonds are excellent bikes (as a Buenos Aires owner I'll admit I'm somewhat biased in my view); well-made, as far as TIG-welded frames go, and some of them- like the late '90s Zurich/ Maillot Jaunes & BA/ Alpe de Huez frames (and likely the Propad)- will be considered classics in maybe a decade or so. At the moment, they're still under the radar, in the shacow of some of LeMond's later & more confused designs. The Sarth was a return to form- and nice sunset for the Zurich's geometry, but not as well built; a 'classic' case of "too little, too late."
My Buenos Aires:
So, if you're into collecting (or just looking for a fine ride), now is the time to find them. As an example, around here every few months or so, some guy who doesn't know any better puts a totally sweet early LeMond on our CL for around $200 - $300 with a listing like, "old bike." I'm sure that can't be unique, that it's likely the case everywhere, and that in five or six years such deals will be a thing if the past.
The later Trek-made 853 LeMonds are excellent bikes (as a Buenos Aires owner I'll admit I'm somewhat biased in my view); well-made, as far as TIG-welded frames go, and some of them- like the late '90s Zurich/ Maillot Jaunes & BA/ Alpe de Huez frames (and likely the Propad)- will be considered classics in maybe a decade or so. At the moment, they're still under the radar, in the shacow of some of LeMond's later & more confused designs. The Sarth was a return to form- and nice sunset for the Zurich's geometry, but not as well built; a 'classic' case of "too little, too late."
My Buenos Aires:
03-05-14, 09:36 PM
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Calfee made bikes from his 'CarbonFrames' era for Lemond. They were ridden in at least one TdF.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
03-05-14, 09:38 PM
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Parts shipped today to get this up and running. To my knowledge, after a fair amount of research including the dealer tech manual, all tubies on this one are from Reynolds, the 4 largest diameter ones are 853. Should work out pretty well...
853 Designer Select
The Poprad is built from round 853 Designer Select tubes. This tubeset combines an 853 main triangle with Reynolds 525 stays. 853 and 525 have the same modu- lus (stiffness), but 853 has a greater tensile strength. In the main triangle, the higher strength of 853 allows us to use thinner, lighter tubes. With the stays, there’s a limit on how thin the metal can be that’s not determined by strength, but weldable thickness.
03-05-14, 09:49 PM
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03-05-14, 11:23 PM
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03-06-14, 02:41 AM
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John,
Are you looking for one? I raced a Zurich from the early 90s (Tig Reynolds tubing )for a season. Its a great riding bike, but seem to be a bit slow compared to the Cannondale Cat 3 our club was providing us for next to nothing. I did many long rides on the LeMond. I didn't care if it was a tad slower coming out of the corners (its really not that slow, by any means). You wouldn't be disappointed with one.
jeff
Are you looking for one? I raced a Zurich from the early 90s (Tig Reynolds tubing )for a season. Its a great riding bike, but seem to be a bit slow compared to the Cannondale Cat 3 our club was providing us for next to nothing. I did many long rides on the LeMond. I didn't care if it was a tad slower coming out of the corners (its really not that slow, by any means). You wouldn't be disappointed with one.
jeff
03-06-14, 02:58 AM
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Don't know about the price, but I wouldn't kick this Lemond out of my garage.
[h=2]LEMOND, Greg titanium frame set, 56cm - $1500 (berkeley)[/h]
Greg Lemond titanium frame set with Reynolds Ouzo Pro all carbon fiber fork...
Crane Creek headset...
previously owned by Greg...
given to me by Greg in 1993, ridden lightly by an old man...
56cm seat tube, 56cm top tube... braze on front derailleur mount...
please respond with a phone number...
interesting trades considered...
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/4362215242.html
[h=2]LEMOND, Greg titanium frame set, 56cm - $1500 (berkeley)[/h]
Greg Lemond titanium frame set with Reynolds Ouzo Pro all carbon fiber fork...
Crane Creek headset...
previously owned by Greg...
given to me by Greg in 1993, ridden lightly by an old man...
56cm seat tube, 56cm top tube... braze on front derailleur mount...
please respond with a phone number...
interesting trades considered...
- do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/4362215242.html
03-06-14, 05:57 AM
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^^^ Looks like a Merlin to me. I'd find a place for that at the right price.
03-06-14, 06:16 AM
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I have a '98 Zurich that I love for three reasons; it was out in the AZ sun for years so the paint is shot, even lost most of the word "Ultegra" on the front break so it looks vintage, I use it as my in town beater because it is unlikely to draw a thief's attention, it is a fabulous ride.