Good call on the tires. While the bike appears to have little to no significant use - either that, or it was impeccably maintained, which I generally doubt - I was suspicious about the tires still having vent spews intact, you can see them on the rear pic.

It should be really fun trying to find black enamel with rainbow flake, and the blue with metal flake for the couple of chip touchups it needs. Needs new pad inserts for the calipers too.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...348e8b9131.png

Francophile-
this comment "squirrely-tweakey responsive ala crit bike based on what I've read about this era of Lemond" really is NOT indicative of the Lemond spine frame, although the aluminum version may have been a little more stiff and rough than the steel version (see my black and grey a few above yours).

these frames were responsive but very forgiving, the CF really added compliance and the geometry fit well with the material. no issues with these frames, actually. I have ridden all the Lemond frame materials from 2001 til 07/08 cf's, they were all diff feeling but the geometry similar. my Ti 01 Victoire may have been the best all around, but the spine the only one I've considered keeping of the bunch. I still have an '01 Maillot Jaunne 853 pro, but I'm keeping my spine frame.

the only diff between your frame and the all CF Victoire was the xx-lite fork, change out the group and wheelset and they are the same frame material and layup. great riding frames. so if you have a 7800 set and wheels you like, there you have it.

Yeah, I dunno what to tell you, wasn't paying enough attention to cite specifics. While trying to decide how high I was willing to go on the auction, I was poking around reading up as much data as I could. Most of what I was picking up was '04-'08 across a few different road biking forums. I heard several claims of "twitchy rides", "over responsive on turns", "difficult to ride with no hands in those no-hands moments", but it wasn't clear to me if it was the all-aluminum, alu-cf, ti-cf, or what.

Either way, it was my size, and I'd never ridden one, I'm glad I cashed in. I thought enough of it in the few dozens of miles I've put on it now that I moved over my lights and other baggage. My only gripe is, here in ATL, the intown streets are complete ass, and it's not a very forgiving bike. I'm running 700x25 today, I may end up slapping a pair of 700x28 on to see where it gets me, or try and eek some 30s in.

The 'bigger is better' voice in me would love to upgrade this to a 7803 triple setup, but honestly, the 105 triple on this has been better than I recall experiencing out of anything 105, so I'll stick with it :D I'm still in the door cheap enough now that I could flip it for double what I'm in, but I'm enjoying it too much to get rid of it right now. :thumb:

01 Zurich followed me home a week ago today. My first bike with brifters and a carbon fork. I bought it from the son of the original owner. New saddle and tires (saddle will be switched for my Brooks Swift). Mint except top of brifters chewed up (reflected in price) but work perfectly. I have been looking for years for a reasonable one in my size and I love it. Got 1 good ride last Monday but weather...Time to thin the herd but this I keep.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...899391261d.jpg

Beautiful blue and yellow

My (new2me) LeMond Alpe d'huez
 

I've long lusted after a steel Zurich (or any Reynolds 853 LeMond in my size), so when this 2002 Alpe d'huez showed up on Craigslist, I couldn't resist. A quick test ride and I was instantly hooked. I told the seller I wouldn't insult him with an offer less than his asking price ($300), and took it home.

I had been enjoying my 2002-ish Univega Modo Volare (Columbus tubing) for about a year, but the ride of the Alpe d'huez has spoiled me. The combination of 853 main tubes and 525 stays makes for a magic ride quality. And the green color with white panels...fogettaboutit, this is a LOOKER!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...87bc78466a.jpg
This rides as good as it looks
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...89bf87dcd3.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fb20c77ad.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...102f8d5f46.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6d0c7a8bd3.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02e6fafc6e.jpg
Alas, it's CL for the Modo Volare...

I drove two hours yesterday to pick this up: 2002 Buenos Aires. Beautiful condition, $400. I had always wanted another Reynolds 853 LeMond ever since getting my Alp d'Huez in 2005. Now if only the temperature were warmer.

I rode it today and it rides and feels like a brand new bike. First thing on the to do list is swapping the 28mm tires for 23mm.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...64b7eb8dad.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d0ce390c0f.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ac58e8728.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67b4a46f2a.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a3887e90cc.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...63f1792229.jpg

Update: Warning, content may offend!
 

I realize to some this may be deemed pure sacrilege... but honestly the time has come in my life (at age 65) where I'm all about my riding comfort. And to me, THIS is what comfort is all about... being able to ride for long distances and have outstanding control over steering, accelerating, shifting and braking, all without sacrificing ergonomics. I can no longer achieve this with my old conventional drop bar/brifter configuration.

So here you have it... a LeMond Alpe d'Huez with upright (Cinelli Double Trouble) handlebar, vintage SRAM Attack 9-speed shifters and Shimano XTR rear derailleur, Sugino triple crankset and vintage Deore (Deerhead) brake levers on dual pivot road calipers. Quirky? Perhaps... But it's a super functional road machine that is oh so fun to pedal. Sorry, but I make no apologies. 😎👍☮️
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ec4bcb0eb1.jpg

Whenever I stumble upon this thread, I go on CL afterwards to see what's available 😁

Had a very basic Lemond once:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...faa5066e71.jpg

Here's the Zurich frame I just got to build a bike with a 7410 Dura Ace groupset I wasn't using.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...226b55d5d.jpeg

Oh, man. Very nice! I bought one of those new in 1997 for my first real race bike, and won my first race on it in '98. It's the bike I most regret selling. Enjoy!

I posted this in the what do old men ride thread - sorry for doubling up...

2001 Zurich

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...083f5d91a.jpeg

These old school Lemonds, do they fit a 28mm tire?

My ‘01 Zurich does. I have to let a little air out though.

28's on the one I just posted the picture of, with room to spare.

28mm Conti 5000 on 01 Zurich. (room for 32?)

Maiden voyage of winter project #2, Lemond Versailles spine bike! Didn't see any fluffy cows, but there is a lot of summer to go. The Microshift Centos drivetrain was a little stiff at first but still shifted perfectly; hoping more use time will get it to a sweet spot. Only downside to the ride was that the saddle slid backward and I am not sure if I didn't torque it correctly or if it is a compatibility issue between the SMP and the seatpost; time will tellhttps://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3246d4969.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2a241febf.jpg

the versailles was one of the best values of the spine frames because the fork was the only diff between it and the maillot jaune. the remain one of the better "retrobuild"s out there, light and flex in the rear is just right for "planing" as jan heine calls it. my looks like yours, but has 6800 compact all the way around, and HED Belgium wheelset with 25's. I still love it 15 yrs after I bought it from my brother and converted all the bontrager stuff as triple over to double. RAGBRAI's and centuries, its a great ride.

one of the best rides ever, the '99-2003 zurichs ride so well. I've rebuilt 5 of these, a couple converted to 6700. but this one is all orig, and they rode well as ultegra 9spd. well done!!!

I sold my red 2002 Buenos Aires and picked up this to replace it.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...27fc05673f.jpg

Very classy looking, I love yellow bikes! Please post a photo if you make any changes to get it exactly to your liking.
John

I never posted the finished product! Here it is, with full 7410 Dura Ace groupset. Only one thing missing - the SP-7410 seatpost. I can't use it on this bike - I need a zero setback post! Here it is in all its mid90s glory!, right down the the PD-7401 pedals!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f14525d2.jpeg

Here is my Lemond Poprad. I love the Reynolds 853 steel. I have too many bikes but this is one of my favorite bikes to ride. It is set up with 700x38 Panaracer Gravelkings.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e6b24038c.jpeg

Rustybikes, that is a nice looking Poprad. I have a 2002 set up similarly, but with a V-O Porteur bar, I, also, did away with the cantilevers, but, went with long pull Tektro 559s. I had 35mm GK semi slick mounted on it, but had tire rub at the rear when cornering or accelerating aggressively. There is a member of BF that crimped the seat stays, which allowed clearance for 38mm, SK's IIRC.. I do not remember the year model.

The 700x38 Gravel King SK tires that I am running don’t rub at all. I run pretty narrow rims on this bike however, either Campagnolo Omega 13mm inside width or Mavic Open Pro 15mm inside width.