LeMond Bicycles Victoire

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at The Bike Rack

Summary:
I have been riding mountain bikes now for several years. The last time I had
riden a road bike was back in the late 80's when I had a Centurian Cavalleto.
I decided to buy a road bike to help train me for me mountain biking, since
everyone was blowing me away. I have not opened up a new can of worms.
This bike is like riding on butter. I tried several frames and materials, ie Steel, Ti,
Aluminum, and Carbon. I found the steel had the best ride but the Ti had the best
ride and offered great stiffness. I have only had the bike for a few weeks but cannot
say enough good things about it. Full Ultegra groupo, Vector Comp wheels, Selle San Marco
Era saddle, its got it all. I tride a Lemond steel with full dura-ace, but opted for the
Ti frame and Ultegra because of price and ride. It corners on rails, tracks smooth,
accelerates quickly, and just has an very smooth ride and feel. The Lemond
geometry fit my much better than the Trek carbon bikes. I just could not pass it
up for the price

Strengths:
Smooth Ride
Stiff for sprinting and cornering
Great price (unless you pay full retail)
Great classic geometry
Ultegra component group

Weaknesses:
Price if you pay full retail although even at full retail
with the ultegra groupo and wheel set is not a bad deal compared
to others, ie Litespeed and Airborne

Similar Products Used:
Test ride on Lemond Steel
Test ride on Trek Carbon
Test ride on Trek Aluminum
Old Centurian Cavalleto (not at all similar)

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at roadbikereview.com -

Favorite Ride:
Santiago Canyon

Bike Setup:
Full Stock - Ultegra with the exception of the Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL's

Summary:
Can't say enough good things about this bike! Replaced my Lemond Zurich with the Victoire and am really pleased. Has all the forgiving features of steel yet the enough stiffness in the bottom bracket to make out-of-seat pedaling a breeze. Not sure if the Lemond geometry is for everyone but since I had the Zurich for four seasons, I was used to it. I've heard complaints about the original wheels being too flexy but the original owner (Shane - his review posted below) replaced the wheels with Mavic Ksyrium's and I've got no complaints.

The added touches such as a real head tube badge (not a decal) and the PAINTED panels (again, not decals) make this bike an eyecatcher. I still prefer the 2001 and 2002 paint or lack-thereof paint scheme to this years (ouch - gaudy) paint jobs. Why cover beautiful titanium in garish colors???

Strengths:
Welds
Ride - forgiving and stiff
Quality

Weaknesses:
Price if you pay retail!

THANKS A BUNCH SHANE FOR THE GREAT DEAL!!!

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Zurich
Trek 5200
Cannondale CAAD 6

Price Paid:  $2900.00 at Local Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
any acceptable road/hill

Bike Setup:
Ultegra grp, velomax oring wheels, ritchey sterm, USE Ti seat post

Summary:
maybe the price, a little bit higher but you really can ejoy every $$$$ you spent on it.

Strengths:
In general, very realiavable and compliant. Ti built to last, seamless welding.
just need a good pair of legs to put this baby to ride......and cry.

Weaknesses:
stock wheels very responsive, a tittle bit flexy when climbing,

Similar Products Used:
specialized comp ultegra grp.

Price Paid:  $1999.00 at Bike shob in a galax

Favorite Ride:
Anything with hills

Bike Setup:
Stock full Ultegra. Have added sweat and grime.

Summary:
I've riding the same old lugged steel Lemond around for the past 8 years. It took a special bike to make me even think about getting a new one. As soon as I swung my leg over the saddle I knew this was a great bike. This bike fits like a glove!!! The acceleration is jackrabbit fast. It corners like it is on rails!!! The craftsmanship is superb. Trek may be a large company, but this bike has microbrew quality. I have not changed a thing. I've read complaints about the wheels being too flexy. The individuals complaining must weigh more than me.

Strengths:
Attention to detail: smooth welds, riveted aluminum head badge, and a shot-peened finish.
Laid back geometry: Easy on the bod, but excellent cornering ability.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Old School Lemond (Actually a Bottecchia painted by Lemond before it was bought by Trek)
Cannondale R900 old school with a sub-1 aluminum fork.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at gilles cycle

Favorite Ride:
century

Bike Setup:
standard except wheels and tires -Mavic ksyrium ssl with Michilin axial pros

Summary:
I started road riding this year after getting beaten at mountain bike races by riders that also road ride.I tested many models and found the Lemond geometry and ride quality the best for me.

Strengths:
light weight,smooth ride,excellent handing

Weaknesses:
only wheels- too much flex on climbs or sprints

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200 demonstated 5 days
Schwinn paramount 2 days
Klein quantum pro demo 2 days