LeMond Bicycles Buenos Aires

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Hearn;s, Asheville

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in wester North Carolina

Bike Setup:
Stock ultegra, Bontrager Select wheels

Summary:
I traded by old too big frame DeRosa for this bike because it fit me perfectly and the bike was in much newer condition than the DeRosa. The bike is pretty stock except for the Salsa stem and the titanium railed Specialized saddle I brough along from the old bike. This bike is a 51cm (I'm 5'8") and fits me well except that I needed a longer stem. The bike isn't all out fast like my Orbea Starship, but it's so comfortable that you could ride it forever. All the parts work well. I could use a compact crank because I live in the mountains, but this bike seems to be pretty efficient at climbing anything within reason (unfortunately some of our hills around here are not within reason. Some of my personal observations are that the fork is pretty stiff feeling and the ride quality through the handlebars can be a little buzzy. Through the saddle, though, the ride is pure pleasure. My bike only weighs 20 lbs; it's pretty light for a steel bike.

Strengths:
Reasonably light weight
Smooth ride that will keep you happy hour after hour.

Weaknesses:
Toe overlap takes some getting used to

Similar Products Used:
DeRosa Giro d'Italia
Gunnar Roadie
Waterford Paramount

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Bike Zoo, Knoxville,

Favorite Ride:
Waterrock Knob, Blue Ridge PArkway

Bike Setup:
853 steel frame; full Ultegra components; Speedplay pedals; Ksyrium SL wheels (sweet); Flight saddle.

Summary:
I've had this bike for a little over two years and I've got a lot of miles on it--mostly climbs in western North Carolina. Overall, a very good bike. Feels solid on descents, corners well, the Ultegra components are great and the wheels did pretty well. The main drawback is weight--the 853 frame isn't setting any weight records, and it shows on the climbs. On the good side, the ride quality is great--what you'd expect from old-school steel. If weight is your key criterion, don't buy this bike. If you want a great feeling, stable bike with nice components, this could be your bike.

I ditched the saddle and pedals almost immediately and have never regretted either decision. The rear wheel lasted for about 1 year of hard riding and the front lasted about 2 years. I recently replaced them with Ksyrium SL's which completely changed the bike. This shaved over 1 lb of rolling weight. It is now a MUCH quicker bike and climbs much better.

Strengths:
Stability, value

Weaknesses:
weight, saddle, pedals.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Quest, Lemond Buenos Aires, various Cannondales, Puegeot Triathalon, various Treks.

Price Paid:  $1299.00 at Sun Ski

Bike Setup:
Selle Italia SLR
Easton EC-90 Seatpost and handlebars
Bontrager Race Lite Wheels
Speedplay X-2's
Dura Ace Chain and Cassette
Full Ultegra except BB (105)

Summary:
This is a follow up review on a Lemond BA I purchased in January 2003. The bike is now one year old, and as I have changed as a cyclist, so has my BA. Over time I replaced many of the stock components (sse below)including the saddle (now a Selle Italia SLR), the seatpost (now an Easton EC-90), the handlebars Easton EC-90), and I dumped the Bontrager Selects for Race Lites. The 105 chain and cassette are now Dura Ace, with Vredstein Tricomps replacing the stock Continental 2000's. Pedals are Speedplay X-2's. The bike is now more race ready, and the overall weight is down from over 21 lbs to around 19. Will replace stock fork soon to bring weight down to near 18 Lbs. Overall, this bike is a good ride made better by swapping stock components. The 853 frame is top notch.

Strengths:
Smooth, stable, predictable ride.
Wonderfully finished welds and paint for a mass produced bike.

Weaknesses:
Stock fork is way too heavy.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Ebay

Bike Setup:
All stock

Summary:
I rode this bike accross Canada. Yes over 8000Km. Get this bike if you can. In the 80 days I had it, nothing went wrong. Ok one spoke broke, I am a thick 200lbs.

Strengths:
Everything, rims are excellent for racing

Weaknesses:
Rims not good for heavy riders on long exceptionally long rides.

Price Paid:  $1250.00 at Bike Doctor Arnold,

Favorite Ride:
Horse country near Baltimore

Bike Setup:
Mostly stock, plus Ritchey pro stem, King headset, Reynolds Ouza Pro fork, Hutch Carbon comp tires, Terry Y Fly Ti saddle, Look pp357 pedals

Summary:
Extremely sweet ride. Frame details you would never expect from a large company. It handles confidently and does not beat me up. 55cm frame for my 5'11" fits well. My 140lb weight doesn't work with Alum bikes built to support Mr. 200 lbs. No matter though, this frame is just as fast and light as any alum in the price range. Also...crashed hard into a post once, bent fork and busted headset, stock wheel and rest of bike were fine. Good mark of quality.

Strengths:
BEAUTIFUL bike. Frame details, paint, everything. Ultegra can't be beat. Wheels are awesome, no need to change until race day.

Weaknesses:
Toe overlap with front wheel. Oh well I can deal with it. Stock fork a little heavy but very smooth riding

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R600, Kona Dr. Dew commuter