glight

On my local craigslist I found a 2001 Lemond Maillot Jaune Frame with Fork and Seatpost for $385. The guy said he doesn't want to go through the hassle of putting it on ebay.

Two questions:

1) Is this frame a good place to start if I want to buy it and slowly build it over time, or would it be a wate of time?

2) What is this frame worth if I decided to buy it and flip it on ebay?

Any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Greg

Hammertoe

I ride a 2001 LeMond Maillot Jaune. Bought it off ebay last year from a great guy in California. Ultegra/Dura Ace mix, FSA carbon cranks, Spinergy Rev X wheels for $825. Frame was and still is in great shape. I have since upgraded quite a bit. The frame is a great ride, Reynolds 825 steel. Classic LeMond geometry. I have done several centuries on it and have no complaints. I have the weight down to 18.75 lbs and could get it around 18 if I wanted to be a Weenie. Here is a stock picture of the 2001.




LeMond changed the colors every year. The 2002 Maillot Jaune is yellow and black and the 2000 is aluminum not steel. If the frame is in good shape it may be a good deal. MSRP in 2001 was 3099.99 for a full Dura-Ace bike.

dekalbSTEEL

What size is it? What town is it located in? That sounds like a deal you should avoid. (you know, so I can buy it )

wagathon

It is actually Reynolds 853 steel. I have a '01 Lemond with an 853 tube set but the BA's tubes are not ovalized at the ends (both probably have 725 seat stays) so I'm partial to both the make and the year and MJ is Lemond's top model so, I'd say it's worth it to build up for sure. If it's a 61c I'll take it.

55/Rad

I had a '98 in 853 I bought in '03 that had never been built up. Looked brand new and rode beautifully.

55/Rad

grinderbob

It is not a good start, it is a superb start!
what else can you get for $385?? don't miss out.

Hammertoe

Absolutely Reynolds 853, sorry about the miss type....

glight

I think funds may be a bit tight right now, so I may have to pass. The frame is on the detroit craigslist. The guy doesn't want to ship it though. If anyone is interested, I can go and check it out and if it is in good condition I can buy it and ship it for someone. Let me know if anyone is interested.

Greg

MikeyBoyAz

So... digging up an incredibly old thread... I am itching at the whole n+1 and I noticed a craigslister has put a 2001 Lemond MJ up for $850. It's repainted (a color I especially like) with some modernized components (some not so top of the line) and a Thompson seat post... is this even a good ballpark for a Reynolds 853 frame? (If all I was purchasing was the frame and seatpost for example)? Assuming this price point would be for an excellent condition frame... if ends up in bad shape I wouldn't want it no matter what...

BTW the geometry is spot on. In case anyone says... it's worth nothing if it doesn't fit

MikeyBoyAz

uhmm... Please?

dtrain

Searching completed ebay bike listings for 853 frameset will help gauge the current market value. $850 seems a bit high -- but it's a different scenario if it is in great shape and has decent STI's and wheels (even if you just sell 'em off). I have a Reynolds 631 frame and like it...but the last 853 bike I sold (I do some flipping) fetched a fair amount less than expected.

Andy_K 

This is obviously a fairly different beast, but last year I got a 2001 LeMond Nevada City (853 main triangle, 525 rear, cro-mo fork, 1" threaded steerer) with the original Sora components for $300. I mention it because it seems to me that the frame is the real object of interest here. I sold the components for $250 and built it up with mostly 6600 components.



It's really nice, but I wish it had a threadless headset and a carbon fork. A full 853 frame would be nice too. Now you can see how this relates to the bike you're looking at, right?

Whether or not that's a good price, I think, all depends on the components that are on it. If the components are good, $850 might be a decent deal. If you're buying it mainly for the frameset, it's probably a bit high.

James1:17

Hey MikeyBoy, what is the current component config? That bike retailed at $3k but came with a Dura Ace and Rolf (not prima) build spec. Knowing these details would give us a better idea of what we'd pay for it now.

MikeyBoyAz

The components are 9 speed tiagra sti with an ultegra rd. misc brakes and miss-match hubs/hoops.

I am getting the consensus that 850 is too high though. Frame only is actually what I am planning... perhaps $400?

eippo1

$850 is high, but then that was a very good quality frame and fork and some crappy new AL bikes were going for that price with 9 speed tiagra a year or so ago. I'd try to get him to go way low with a super lowball offer, but try not to insult, so $450 might be better.

James1:17

Hmm...So frame, fork, seatpost, in a color you really like and a geometry that fits you well. I'd probably be in the 3-400 range if I were in a similar situation. You may have to start a new thread, but I bet the guys over in C & V would have some good advice. 2001 may not be that vintage, but they're almost all steel guys, and I bet there's no shortage of Lemond guys as well.

Andy_K 

If you'd pay $400 for the frame, figure out what you can sell the components for and add that to figure your top dollar. Obviously you'll want to offer less.

MikeyBoyAz

Thanks for all the advice! The one strain on this is that he had the frame repainted to an olive color so I can't actually confirm it was the MJ... but I am hoping on obscurity (why bother even calling it that if it's not). Honestly: I love the color, but it still leaves me nervous.

But...still... Thanks everyone!

606david

prob can tell a Pro Team frame vs Designer Select by it weight, Pro is about 100 grams lighter
53/55 (measured of my frames)
Pro=1637 grams
Designer =1731 grams

fishboat

You might want to stop refreshing 15 year old threads...third one I've seen I think.

If you have something to say or ask..start a new thread. Some of the people on these old threads have gone to meet their maker by this time...others have conceived and had children that are now in highschool.