Show your LeMond!!!
08-17-22, 08:01 AM
#476
PM me your cotters
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Nice clean Alpe D'Huez! The tires aren't quite factory, these are the Bontrager R2s, the factory tire was the Bontrager Race Lite, with a gray tread. (Page 8 of the catalog, I can't post hyperlinks, but the url is ia600304.us.archive.org/20/items/LemondBicycles2007Catalog/_2007Lemond.pdf.)
I never heard that about the handling of that era of Lemond. I have an '06 Tourmalet and find the handling to be perfectly fine, not noticeably twitchy at all, certainly not like some of the early '10s Treks I've ridden. Though a bit of googling and it looks like the accusation of twitchy handling starts with the '07s, and my '06 is the newest Lemond I've ridden. Indeed, one of the stated principles of Greg's design philosophy is good calm-handling geometry, so I'm surprised to hear it.
Anyways, I've been meaning to throw photos of my couple of Lemonds up on here, will put it on my to-do list. And once my long-lost great uncle leaves me a million dollar inheritance, I'll even throw some photos up of my brand new Lemond 8, too. Or, more realistically, as I acquire more used old ones to add to my nascent collection.
I never heard that about the handling of that era of Lemond. I have an '06 Tourmalet and find the handling to be perfectly fine, not noticeably twitchy at all, certainly not like some of the early '10s Treks I've ridden. Though a bit of googling and it looks like the accusation of twitchy handling starts with the '07s, and my '06 is the newest Lemond I've ridden. Indeed, one of the stated principles of Greg's design philosophy is good calm-handling geometry, so I'm surprised to hear it.
Anyways, I've been meaning to throw photos of my couple of Lemonds up on here, will put it on my to-do list. And once my long-lost great uncle leaves me a million dollar inheritance, I'll even throw some photos up of my brand new Lemond 8, too. Or, more realistically, as I acquire more used old ones to add to my nascent collection.
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.
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08-21-22, 06:51 PM
#477
Junior Member
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.
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.
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08-23-22, 11:05 AM
#478
PM me your cotters
Join Date: Jun 2015
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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).
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).
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.
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. 
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Last edited by francophile; 08-23-22 at 11:08 AM.
02-26-23, 04:31 PM
#479
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 626
Bikes: 68 SS, 72 Fuji Finest, 72 PX-10, 77 Pana Pro 7000, 84 Pinnarello Treviso NR, 84 Trek 520, 88 Project KOM, 90 Trek 750, 91 Trek 930
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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.
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08-07-23, 03:56 PM
#481
Recovering Bikeaholic
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!
This rides as good as it looks
Alas, it's CL for the Modo Volare...
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!
This rides as good as it looks
Alas, it's CL for the Modo Volare...
Last edited by montclairbobbyb; 08-07-23 at 04:16 PM. Reason: Photos added
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02-06-24, 03:53 PM
#482
Junior Member
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.
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.
Last edited by JochenRindt; 02-07-24 at 08:13 PM.
