hello there everybody,
i am thinking about buying a Lemond Propond Cyclocross but am currently considering all my options as regards a bike, i am thinking cyclocross mainly because of my 16 1/2 stone weight (rugby player) and where i envisage i willl be cycling (bumpy and lumpy) but there are some other options around especially now with the new Treks, Giants and Specalized out,
however
i have been offered a Lemond Propond 04, having already noticed that this range looked nice i have researched, unfortunately i am only recently back into cycling so am not a fountain of knowledge as it were! now as i understand it Steel frames are always desirable and Reynolds are a good brand so i am guessing that the 853 is a good frame? how good i dont know? also the 04 has Shimano 105 mechs which i understand to also be good.
The thing is i am really keen on cycling again - however i am a big athletic lad and i intend to put some miles in in questionable conditions (roads and weather in england are poor! lol) so i am trying to make a comparison between bikes, i had whittled my choices down to something along the lines of a Trek1000or 1200c a Specialized Allez or one of the Giant OCR bikes but looking at the Lemond 04 has put the cat amongst the pigeons, i am really stuck, do i go for the older Lemond which seems to have a better spec or a brand new 'racier' model.

Please guys could you offer your advice on comparisons between the bikes and also your ideas on what i should be paying for the Lemond 04? i know the 05 retails at £1000 sterling here in the UK but i cannot get a price for the 04.
Your help would be great as i want to get in the sadle again asap.
thankyou
simon

The 04 Lemond is an excellent bike. Should be cheaper then any of the 05 models you might look at