Opinions on the steel Lemond Maillot Jaune?
03-16-07, 03:50 PM
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big ring
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Opinions on the steel Lemond Maillot Jaune?
A friend is offering to sell his to me: (and upgrading to a Look 585.)
Lemond Maillot Jaune: 55 cm, Dura Ace, Bontrager Race X-Lite wheels. 853 Reynolds. 2003 model year.
Does anyone own this particular bike?
I am torn between steel and carbon frames but the timeless Lemond design is attractive. Input on a fair price? (Retail was north of $3K.) Is steel real?!?!
Lemond Maillot Jaune: 55 cm, Dura Ace, Bontrager Race X-Lite wheels. 853 Reynolds. 2003 model year.
Does anyone own this particular bike?
I am torn between steel and carbon frames but the timeless Lemond design is attractive. Input on a fair price? (Retail was north of $3K.) Is steel real?!?!
03-16-07, 03:53 PM
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A Little Bent
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I own one and it is was my main ride last year...
A 2001 853 steel NOS built up in 2004....
Did several centuries and some big climbs...
Nothing but good things to say about the frame...
2001...$3099.99 new...
2003...$2859.99...new
A 2001 853 steel NOS built up in 2004....
Did several centuries and some big climbs...
Nothing but good things to say about the frame...
2001...$3099.99 new...
2003...$2859.99...new
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Last edited by Hammertoe; 03-16-07 at 04:00 PM.
03-16-07, 03:57 PM
#4
big ring
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Originally Posted by Hammertoe
I own one and it is was my main ride last year...
A 2001 NOS built up in 2004....
Did several centuries and some big climbs...
Nothing but good things to say about the frame...
A 2001 NOS built up in 2004....
Did several centuries and some big climbs...
Nothing but good things to say about the frame...
Would you say the Reynolds does a good job damping road harshness? I would love to have a nice climber/century bike.
03-16-07, 04:12 PM
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The 853 allows some road buzz but I did not think it fatigued me during my centuries...
I have the bike built up with carbon bars and a Thomson seatpost...I don't know if that adds any dampening to the ride...
I am not a big boy...weighing in at 140 lbs....
I have the bike built up with carbon bars and a Thomson seatpost...I don't know if that adds any dampening to the ride...
I am not a big boy...weighing in at 140 lbs....
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03-16-07, 04:15 PM
#6
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I had a '98 with X-Lite wheels in a size 55. Bought it NOS in '04. Loved the heck out of it.
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03-16-07, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
I had a '98 with X-Lite wheels in a size 55. Bought it NOS in '04. Loved the heck out of it.
Yep - I read your earlier posts on the subject (search is my friend.)
So what's a fair price as listed?
03-16-07, 09:53 PM
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Those MJ are destined to be future classics - the top of the line Lemond steelies. Excellent bikes.
And I have no idea what the other poster meant about 853 picking up road buzz - compared to what? It's steel. You buy steel for a more comfortable ride. I don't get that comment.
And I have no idea what the other poster meant about 853 picking up road buzz - compared to what? It's steel. You buy steel for a more comfortable ride. I don't get that comment.
03-17-07, 07:32 AM
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Comfort in a frame comes from two things: flex and vibration damping. Steel frames flex but they do not damp vibration. Overall I think the flex ability is the more important of the two.
How much to pay depends on the condition of the bike. Assuming it's in good condition about $1000 sounds about right to me.
How much to pay depends on the condition of the bike. Assuming it's in good condition about $1000 sounds about right to me.
03-17-07, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by markwebb
And I have no idea what the other poster meant about 853 picking up road buzz
Originally Posted by Nessism
Steel frames flex but they do not damp vibration.
By no means does the ride cause fatigue and it is definitely not jarring....
But I 'feel' the asphalt when riding my LeMond 853...
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03-18-07, 08:51 AM
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[QUOTE=Nessism]Comfort in a frame comes from two things: flex and vibration damping. Steel frames flex but they do not damp vibration. Overall I think the flex ability is the more important of the two.
Steel frames damp vibration very well, which is a major reason for steel's continued popularity. I just switched my bone-jarring aluminum-frame commuter bike for a Bianchi Volpe all-steel frame, and the difference is fantastic! My road bike is an '04 LeMond Buenos Aires, the carbon, steel mix, and it's extremely comfortable.
There are many different grades of steel, from the Wal-Mart $70.00 made-in-China pig-iron frames, to Reynolds 853 and even 953 frames (my LeMond uses 853 steel). Independent Fabrication has a new steel-frame bike with just .3-mm thickness in places. The main criticism of steel has been its weight. Titanium is a good, although expensive, alternative. And of course the latest favored material is carbon fiber, but there are questions about its long-term durability.
To me the most important of all the factors being discussed is comfort--if it doesn't feel good on the bike, who's going to want to spend time on it? The weight and "feel" of the bike (determined by its frame material, among other things), is a huge part of that comfort.
Steel frames damp vibration very well, which is a major reason for steel's continued popularity. I just switched my bone-jarring aluminum-frame commuter bike for a Bianchi Volpe all-steel frame, and the difference is fantastic! My road bike is an '04 LeMond Buenos Aires, the carbon, steel mix, and it's extremely comfortable.
There are many different grades of steel, from the Wal-Mart $70.00 made-in-China pig-iron frames, to Reynolds 853 and even 953 frames (my LeMond uses 853 steel). Independent Fabrication has a new steel-frame bike with just .3-mm thickness in places. The main criticism of steel has been its weight. Titanium is a good, although expensive, alternative. And of course the latest favored material is carbon fiber, but there are questions about its long-term durability.
To me the most important of all the factors being discussed is comfort--if it doesn't feel good on the bike, who's going to want to spend time on it? The weight and "feel" of the bike (determined by its frame material, among other things), is a huge part of that comfort.
03-18-07, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by rideon7
Originally Posted by Nessism
Comfort in a frame comes from two things: flex and vibration damping. Steel frames flex but they do not damp vibration. Overall I think the flex ability is the more important of the two.
Steel does NOT damp vibration. The comfort comes from FLEX since the frame acts like a spring. Carbon on the other hand has some damping characteristics. Aluminum frames tend to be uncomfortable because they are designed to NOT flex since flex in an aluminum frame can lead to cracking (unlike steel/Ti).
03-18-07, 10:35 AM
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big ring
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Originally Posted by Nessism
Steel does NOT damp vibration. The comfort comes from FLEX since the frame acts like a spring. Carbon on the other hand has some damping characteristics. Aluminum frames tend to be uncomfortable because they are designed to NOT flex since flex in an aluminum frame can lead to cracking (unlike steel/Ti).
I did not know that. Thanks.
03-18-07, 10:41 AM
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Keep things in perspective, Lemonds aren't made for touring, they're all race bikes, just steel (more comfortable) race bikes. So yes you feel the road.
I thought the Maillot Jaune had carbon stays?
I thought the Maillot Jaune had carbon stays?
03-18-07, 11:34 AM
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853 steel rides good. The frames flex and feel great. I rode one that was way too small and sold it shortly after. I do miss the frame freeling quite a bit. It was a Lemond Zurich. Upgrading to a Look frame is good for you. Get the bike at a sweet discount and enjoy it. I really hate those damn paired spoke wheels. I think a traditional 36 spoke wheel is the way to go for the long haul. Enjoy the bike. The Dura Ace cranks are pretty. If your friend will part with the bike for 1,000$ I would do it in a heart beat.
03-18-07, 11:58 AM
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Anyone know how the Reynolds 853 steel compares to the Columbus OX steel used last year by Lemond?
