Need to decide: Cannondale r1000 optima Vs Lemond Versailles
 

OK folks I am between these two bikes. Please help me decide- I need to make a decision by Sunday Here is the info.

Cannondale r 1000 optima 2004 vs Greg Lemond Versailles 2006
Price------------ unknown it's an auction-----------------------$1200 (MSRP 1600 ish?)
age------------- used < 500 miles ------------- new
frame---------- optimo aluminum------------- spine (carbon/steel)
fork------------ slice ultra carbon------------- bontrager carbon
shifters---------- Shimano STR 600------------- Shimano 105 STI
front derailer---- Ultegra-------------------- 105
rear derailer---- ultegra------------------- ultegra
crankset-------- ultegra--------------------------------bontrager race lite
bottom bracket---- shimano 105------------- truvative gxp external
Cassettes------- SRAM PG970------------- SRAM PG950
Brakes---- ----- Cane Creek SCR5------------- Shimano 105
Seatpost--------- easton CT2 carbon------------- bontrager carbon
saddle---------- Selle italia ladies elite------------- bontrager race lite
stem--------- Cannondale 110 mm------------- bontrager select OS
wheels-------- bontrager race lite------------- bontrager select
tires----------- continental 3000 ------------- bontrager select
headset-------- FSA sealed bearing------------- cane creek sc-1


The Versailles is 45 miles away and I am going to test ride it tomorrow. The Cannondale is 175 miles away (auction) and I was going to try and test ride it today but decided that I didn't want to drive this far two times (once to test ride the bike and another time to pick it up if I end up buying it). I could possibly test ride it Sunday evening- which is not very convenient since auction ends at around 10 pm and then would have to drive home and work the next day (past my bed time). So just based on the specs does one seem better than the other? I have a preference but I don't want to bias anyone so I won't say. Also does one seem like one would be worth more than the other?

Yep, instead of listing parts, maybe you should go look at the frame geometry specs and see what fits your bodily measurements better.

And since you're asking for an opinion, I'd lean towards the Lemond.

At the lemond dealer, the versailles was recommended based on my build. So I am thinking that the frame geometry is suitable- I am thinking that since both are WSD bikes they will have the shorter top tube which is important for me. I can probably get frame geometry on the Versailes but I don't know about the 2004 since it is an older bike. Honestly, I don't know a ton about geometry- except that I need the shorter top tube. The bike I get will replace a circa 1981 30+ pounder so either bike would be a vast improvement. I'll see what I can get on frame geometry, Meanwhile, based on the information that I have provided, do you have an opinion on which bike seems better?

LeMond! I'm a Cannondale guys, but it sounds like you would be much better off buying from a LBS, rather then an auction. The C-dale may be fine, but if the LeMond fits well, that gets my vote.

Here is what I could find on frame geometry from the websites of both companies. Both are 53 cm bikes

-------------------------------Cannondale----------------Versailles
seat tube length---------------?---------------------------477mm
top tube----------------------530-------------------------533
effective top tube-----------?--------------------------545
head tube angle---------------72.5------------------------73
seat tube angle--------------74------------------------73.25
fork rake----------------------45--------------------------45
chainstay length-------------405--------------------------408
wheel base-----------------968---------------------------975
bottom bracket drop--------72---------------------------70
crank length------------------?--------------------------172.5
handlebar width--------------?---------------------------440
stem length-------------------?----------------------------110
stand over height-----------783--------------------------754
trail (whatever that is)------590--------------------------?
front center dist------------571---------------------------?
head tube length-----------137-----------------------------?

I converted the Cannondale specs from from cm to mm so both are mm. If a number seems drastically off let me know, I probably made a mistake in transcribing.

I'd get the Lemond if it fits. The other is used, don't know the price and a 350 round trip ...

Won't buy the Cannondale without test riding it first. Not sure what the final price will be. Suppose I could get the Cannondale for less than the LeMond (the current price on the Cannondale is $500, I'm thinking the Cannondale will probably go for at least $750-$800 to $1200). Unless I am really really impressed by a test ride, I doubt I would offer more than $900-$950 for it). Curious if anyone has an opinion on the Cannondales value- based on the pictures it appears to be in excellent condition- but would verify in person.

The Lemond will have a warranty and hopefullly the bike shop will swap out stems and such so you can adjust your fit over a few weeks of riding. Also if you don't do your own work most shops will do stand ajustments for free.

I'd say go for the C'ale...since that's the bike you really want

Generally speaking, WSD should take into account that the "normal" female anat has more leg and less torso (relative to male anat), but there are always exceptions, right? So when you go test ride these rigs you want to be aware of what the bike feels like while you're riding it. If you've got shoes and riding gear, I'd go take it on a long ride (like maybe a couple hours, not just around the block by the shop). Tell 'em you're gonna be gone for a while, first...

Looking at the frame spec chart above, the only thing that really jumps out at me is the hbar width; maybe it's me, but a 44 seems a bit wide, unless they're measuring o-o, in which case it's maybe a 42, more in line with what I'd expect. Of course, if you have big shoulders, forget what I just wrote.

Ppl preach fit (as should a good shop) because that pretty much makes or breaks the cycling experience. Usually the frame is the most expensive part so if the fit is bad, the person hangs it up and walks away, or ends up getting at least another frame to replace, $$.

Actually, I think I would like the LeMond better- I have heard good things about the carbon/steel spine frame. The other advantages are buying the bike new (warranty) and it's closer. I was just thinking that if the Cannondale seemed like a much better bike I should consider it (especially if it was going for a bargain basement price).