Mine was that color when I bought it but I had it repainted. ;) :D

The original paint (powdercoat actually) was in really bad shape (combination of neglect and horrible touchups on some nasty scratches). I bought it on ebay for $200 bucks and transformed it into the bike you see now. Trust me, it's a 2000 Zurich.

nice, like my Zurich in the ugly months...

http://www.mikebeganyi.com/webimages/zurich.jpg

not new bike, but new pic. it was time to update the old one.

http://www.cyclingrocks.com/wp-conte...C_0164_640.jpg

nice wheels!

Bought my 2006 Versailles on the 8th, toured the factory on the 15th.

So how was the tour? I've thought of doing that myself.

I actually had two tours, one from a relative that works there that included some areas that are off-limits to the public and the regular tour. I thoroughly enjoyed them both.
I was amazed at how many people were doing hand finishing on the frames before painting, very labor intensive. I see why a frame made in the USA is so expensive. Steel aluminum and carbon fiber frames are all made there. All fabrication is state of the art. The amazing thing is you will see Trek, Klein, Gary Fisher and Lemond all on the same line.
This factory in Waterloo only makes frames, when they are done they are sent to one of two other plants for assembly. They make 600 to 700 frames a day.

The new Tete.
 

After 18 years of riding Cannondales, the Lemond era arrives.
2006 Tete De Course frame that I built up in August. Slightly stiffer and twice as comfortable than the Cannondale. 16.24 lbs until I dump the heavy old saddle (from my Cannondale) and handlebars to bring it just under 16 lbs (not that it really matters though). Everything was new except for the Record RD, which is a 2004, saddle, handlebars, and Ritchey carbon post. I will be switching the post to either a FSA or Ritchey Carbon Wayback as I need more than the 25mm of setback it has now (I have very long femurs). The bike rides like a dream with one exception, the Race XXX Lite fork has some shuddering during braking. I wouldn't think its unique to just mine, but its the one detraction.

The only thing I miss is color, as my last Cannondale was a fade of midnight to indigo to sky blue that got compliments on the color. I like the steel/carbon Lemonds with painted steel giving the flash of bright color, but of course I do like mine.

Any thoughts on a saddle. I'm looking at a black Selle Italia SLR XP, and the Fizik Arione in either black with red center stripe, or red with Ti colored center stripe (which is probably too gaudy). You can see I'm eager to get some color into the bike where I can, but then again color done wrong can look really bad. Also, what do you think of the stock wheel decals? They do match, but could easily be removed with some goo-gone help. Perhaps they are too busy looking?

http://www.bluebicycle.com/Steve/assets/IMG_1812b.JPG
http://www.bluebicycle.com/Steve/assets/IMG_3938.JPG
http://bluebicycle.com/Steve/assets/...npooltable.jpg

You'll notice in this next pic the flash really brings out the carbon weave, and the joint on the rear stay. It doesn't look like this in normal daylight and the joint seam isn't noticed, but its interesting to see in the picture. I think most people know, but just in case, Trek OCLV frames are made of bonded carbon fiber sections - they are not monocoque.

http://bluebicycle.com/Steve/assets/rearcarbonstay.jpg

My '06 Croix de Fer, right when I got it home from the LBS (I've since gotten a new seat, lowered the stem, raised the seat post, etc. etc.).

I notice nobody else has one of these... it's my first road bike. Is there something about the steel LeMonds that I don't know?

2007' Tourmalet
 

Gee, I can't believe I finally get to post on one of these threads....

Nice.

I like the carbon / steel too... my Zurich is the carbon with blue steel. The fork fades from blue to carbon. Nice little details on the frame. The joint on mine isn't as noticeable as yours. Maybe I'll take a flash shot of it when I get it rebuilt for the wife.

For saddles I put a Brooks Swallow / Ti on mine. Not much for color though. :D

whew! I finally get to show mine, just arrived this past Friday:
I love this lemond thread it's giving me some great ideas for upgrades!


http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/710/bike.jpg

Steve - very nice Tete. Very nice.

As far as color goes, whatever you do, don't even think of painting it. There's a guy on this forum - a fairly regular poster - who's had his carbon/ti Tete at a paint shop for over 2 years because he felt the way you do and decided to do something about it. I hear he bought the frame used and has never ridden the darn thing and the build kit sits collecting dust in his garage. The guy is nuts and the subject of a LOT of ridicule. Don't fall into that trap.

BTW - what bars do you have on there? What size frame? How do you like the wheels? I'd lose the decals but I do that with all my wheels. Did I mention I like your bike.....

Damn painter.....

Wow - that Tete is simply gorgeous.

I had a really tight budget (tight for what I was trying to get) to make this work. The bars are 44cm Italian made Performance Forte that are perfectly fine. If I want to be a weight weenie then their 249 gram weight can be improved on easily. The frame is a 55cm. Due to my large setback requirements (10.4cm tip of saddle behind BB), reach is the issue. The 56.5cm top tube works well with a 100mm stem, although ideally I should use a 95mm stem. I could have also gone with a 57cm frame to more accomodate my 73" height and then use a stubby stem. Proportionally I think the bike looks nice and its dialed into my measurements but for the 5mm extra reach (which is fine) and 2mm more saddle setback I need with new post.
The tight budget called for cheap wheels, and these are cheap and light at 1512 grams. But in the light/ cheap/strong pick-2 decision we'll see if I gave up strong. So far they are good but the jurys still out. The rim profile makes for a vertically stiffer feel that the Lemond handles well, but would probably make the Cannondale too rough. I keep trying to see if they are flexy but I can't find any brake pad rub on very close-set pads. If they stay true and the bearings stay smooth, they will end up being a great buy. Had I known about these wheels, http://www.bikesoul.com/s2.html I may have spent the little extra to get the 1300 gram set.

I have seen and followed the trail of posts about your Tete. I'm real interested to see the end result if it ever happens. How is the clear coat over the carbon removed without damaging carbon underneath or adhesive bond joint?

Is there anything to beware of when buying a Lemond? I see folks talking about the long top tube. Is that the case for the older non-compact models?

Nope, nothing to beware of and yes the traditional frames have the same "long" top tube, meaning the top tube is longer than the seat tube measurement. Honestly the Lemond geometry really doesn't play out that much in comparison to many other bikes. It may have been different in the past, but not anymore as many bikes are similar with the top tube and frame angles.
You should know your optimum top tube range anyway since this is the most important dimension of any frame. If you're looking at older frames, then perhaps you are referring to one you won't be able to test before getting. depending on your needs, usually the only issue with fitting to the top tube is the head tube height and how many spacers you will end up needing.

I'd rather not get wrapped up in a fit dicussion though in the thread meant to show the bikes.

Wow! I haven't seen this thread for awhile! Stevecaz, nice Tete! (4 months later:D )

I would like to get a Tete De Course to keep my Maillot Jaune company.

Here's mine, a 2006 victoire with a few upgrades:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...mondw0G015.jpg

^^
Nice! What frame size is that, 51 or 53cm?

To all you guys with the huge seat bags: what on earth are you carrying in there?

too hot!

Greg Lemond dolls.

Here's my 2000 Buenos Aries with lots of upgrades, nothing left is stock. Last spring I upgraded the 9s 105 to 10s Dura-Ace all around with 28h DA/DT Swiss wheels that I built myself. I was even able to find a NOS DA threaded headset. Last week I more or less completed the upgrades with a Thompson seatpost I found for cheap at a local bike swap meet and a NOS Dura-Ace stem from ebay. This bike isn't a feather-weight, but it rides smooth and stable all day. I love it!

Last year I used my LeMond for Brevets - so for most of my riding I used / tested gear I would need for events.


Depending on location / weather, etc. when you head out for more than 60 miles or so you need to carry extra gear. I used a pannier on the 400k and a rack trunk on the 600k. I managed the 300k (186 miles) with a large seat pack and bento box.

Some rides provide 'drop bags' where you can send some of your gear ahead on the course... assuming you know what you will need at that point in the ride. Many are self supported. You'll also notice in the pic of my Zurich that there is snow on the ground. Having someplace to ditch an extra layer later in the day is also useful. (hope you didn't notice the fenders!)