smoore

I think I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a '01 Lemond Zurich. My current bike is a LOOK 585 which is a gem! But I'm bored and just want something in steel to play with.

Lemonds are famous for longer top tubes but since I ride a 48-49, the 47cm I'm looking at will fit me fine with a 50.5 TT. This is made with 853 tubing which is still great tubing for frames today if used correctly. I think most of the custom Waterfords still use 853. But the Lemonds while light....weren't really super light but some of that came from the componentry.

Just wondering if I should see and ride this as a vintage bike or if I should throw more $ at it to knock off a couple of pounds? Always loved the paint job on this particular model and have always been a "Greg fan".

Any thoughts or opinions? Thanks.

nomadmax 

You wanna talk to this dude. If I remember right, he has a pretty rare Ti bike that Greg had made for some of his personal friends. As far as your bike goes I think it looks great. I'd take the money I was going to upgrade it with and buy ANOTHER Lemond.

My 7th Lemond. although not C & V

JohnJ80

Always been a big fan of Greg as a rider, but his geometry never worked very well for me. That high BB and the typically twitchy handling is not my thing. I have an old LeMond Versailles CF frame that I stripped for components finally when I built up a custom steel frame bike at the same weight. Glad I made the change. Pretty bikes, just too much input required to keep then under control (and therefore, tiring) for me. So given the choice if I were looking for vintage steel frames, that wouldn't be it. Maybe a Basso (have one and it's a pretty frame), Merkx or Colnago would be my choice.

J.

GuessWhoCycling

I rode Lemonds for 6 years. First an aluminum Tourmalet I had bought for a beater bike. Loved the fit!

I ride a 58 in everything else but then Lemond wasn't offered in 58, it was a 57 or 59. I went with the 57 and it fit like a glove. Sadly the frame snapped on a climb. It was wimpy aluminum.

Upgraded to a partial carbon, spine design Chambery. Best ride ever! Much better than my full carbon Madone. I'm guessing because of the geometry and no material debates.

Sadly that one snapped too, not at the carbon sections but at the aluminum section near the rear dropouts.

But the best fit and ride in my 23 years of riding roadies.

I wish I could have another but I'd be worried about it snapping figuring anything I get Lemond now would be used. I'd worry less with a classic steel frame though.

downhillmaster

Barrettscv 

I've yet to own a Lemond, but I certainly enjoy my steel racing bikes. It's easiest and often most cost-effective to buy a good condition and ready-to-ride example of a vintage bike. This is especially true if you live in a area that has a healthy supply of bikes offered on Craigslist.

I also tend to restore, update and ride each of my vintage bikes from 100 to 1000 miles a year. I like to do most of the work in the winter. Even my newer bikes will get a new chain and a tune-up at least once a year. I'll do minor rebuilds myself and I always select and source parts. I have also been a customer of The Bike Factory in Edwardsville, Illinois. Alec does great work, including some cosmetic detailing.

This Simoncini Cyclocross Special went from a 3x9 drivetrain with bar-end shifters to 2x10 Campagnolo Chorus. It came out very nice and is one of my favorite rides.






Another bike that also got the retro-roadie upgrade is the Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra. It went from 2x7 Dura Ace to 2x11 Ultegra. I have all the Dura Ace bits and could return it to 2x7 in an afternoon, but it’s a great performer.






This Serotta Nova Special X went from a 3x8 Shimano drivetrain on this bike for 10 years, but I made a few component changes to convert it to 2x10.







​A few pictures of my Pinarello Gavia. The bike now has new replacement decals and a 2x10 Campagnolo drivetrain.

bruce19

I would love a LeMond steel by Zen. OTOH, I absolutely love my Guru steel and it's pretty light at under 18 lbs. w/pedals but nothing else. I love riding this bike but wouldn't mind an upscale paint job.

smoore

Nice bikes guys! Barrettscv, I'm 5'5" but by the size of your head tubes .....you are a tad taller.

fishboat

I own three Lemonds(853 Poprad, 853 Maillot Jaune, Ti Victoire).. I'd say grab the Zurich and have fun. If you buy it right and it doesn't work for you, you can always sell it for the same money. They offer a great ride.

The yellow/blue frame is one of the best color combos too(though the blue wheels/tires are a bit much). If I could find a very good condition yellow/blue in a 55cm, I'd jump on it.

BillyD

Wow, you own three of the vintage thoroughbreds I've always lusted for, and even more amazing is that they're in my size.

Wonderful collection!

Barrettscv 

Another Italian thoroughbred. This De Rosa Professional is completed with 2x9 Campagnola Chorus drivetrain, shifters and brakes. Chorus hubs with Velocity A23 rims. 700x28 Vittorio Corsa G+ tires. NOS S. Marco Concor genuine suede saddle.








.

BillyD

Very impressive collection. HOT!

zowie

2004 Tourmalet Al frame and carbon fork with custom build.
Definitely not twitchy and plenty comfortable.

GuessWhoCycling

OK back to Lemonds!

I remember steel Lemonds years ago, Zurich in blue and silver fade. I thought about buying one and should have. Regret it now as the Lemond I had was the best ride ever. I believer it was the geometry that made it a sweet ride. Heartbroken that it snapped cause I miss the sweet ride.

If I had the Lemond in the OP, I would definitely be RIDING it!

smoore

I hear ya. I'll let you know....I'm working on it. But it's on the other coast!

thehammerdog

I just bought a 2001 Lemond 853 all Dura Ace a fantastic ring bike

PAid $200 on craigs list

GuessWhoCycling

Calling the cops cause you stole that thing!

But, what is a ring bike?

smoore

I think spell check tried to fix "riding".

That is a great looking bike and yes, an absolute steal.

thehammerdog

smoore

The only way to absolve you of the guilt you're feeling is for you to move that along to another forum member...who would probably be willing to pay shipping.

Warren128

To the subject at hand (Lemond bikes), I hope you bought it! Did you?

Steel Lemonds are bargains these days and they are very worthy of upgrades if the geometry suits you. I picked up a 2001 Zurich that a previous owner had powder coated. I built as a neo-retro style, and it rides fantastic. I also have a 2001 Lemond all-titanium Tete-de-Course, and that is also a superb riding bike.

thehammerdog

Warren128

I'm riding on 23s now, but will be switching to 25s very soon. 28s might be tight on it, but you never know until you try a particular brand of tire on it.

fishboat

+1 I have a similar combo, '01 Maillot Jaune and a '02 Victoire..wonderful rides.

I run 28mm Gravelking slicks on both bikes. Mounted they measure 26.5-27ish..run fine. Nice tire too.

bikeme

I am still riding the same bike you have pictured but mine is a 58. I'm the original owner. Only the frame and seatpost are original though and it's full group Ultegra 11 speed now. I saved the stem, h-bar, and wheel set for collector value. Still super comfy on long rides.