Submitted by
Chris Botkins
a Road Racer
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004
Strengths: Great road feel, stiff enough to sprint and climb effciently, but doesn't kick you in the butt
Weaknesses: Wheels, the Race Lite wheels are flexy and cheap, Seat Post, never liked it, looks cheap, but never cared enough to switch it out.
Bottom Line:
Great ride, very little vibrations from the road, never had anything go wrong, great welds and paint (wish the graphics were paint not stickers, but still good)
Strengths: Light, stiff, comfortable, fast and good looking
Weaknesses: I could not get comfortable on the SSM Aspide seat and ditched it after about 500 miles. Stock seatpost is a little cheesy looking. While fine in the flats, the stock Bontrager Race Lite wheelset was a little flexy when climbing (note I am 6', 210), but would probably be fine for someone lighter. Bontrager Race X-Lite tires did not last too long (about 600 miles)
Bottom Line:
After back sugery put a end running as my preferred method of excercise, running, I thought I would give riding a shot. I test rode a number of bikes from a number of manufacturers made of carbon, AL, TI and steel. The MJ was one of the first bikes I rode and I kept coming back to it because of fit and feel. It is a fabulous ride, stiff, comfortable, fast, with mostly great components. It also looks great. I would not hesitate to make the same purchase decision again.
Similar Products Used: Test rode Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Merlin, Klein. Still ride a 13 year old Fischer, steel Hoo-Koo-E-Koo MTB when running around with the kids.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Fizik Aliante seat, Thompson seatpost, Velomax Orion II wheelset, Vredestein tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jared Dalebout
a Road Racer
from Ogden Utah USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Strengths: Lemond Geometery is very comfortable and very efficient. This bike is a great steel ride, not a big seller because most racers who spend 2k + look past steel.
Paint Job
Dura Ace
Weaknesses: Seatpost is basic and cheap for this high end model. The Bontrager XL race lites or mavic Kryserium would be a better fit on this ride. Race Lite are cheap
18 Lbs
Bottom Line:
The Reynolds 853 is very agile and smooth. The classic steel ride and the bike is beautifully painted. Dura Ace is very nice.
Similar Products Used: Bianchi Veloce
Lemond Zurich
Trek
Bike Setup: Stock
Upgrade to Dura Ace Cassette and bottom bracket.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
PhilipMoore
a Recreational Rider
from Plano, Texas, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2002
Strengths: Stiffness, will last forever if treated right, absorbs vibrations VERY well, PUMP PEG (every bike should have one), pretty cool paint job.
Weaknesses: The stock seatpost. Every thing else on bike as OEM spec'd was nice, but how much more would a good seat post cost, for cryin' out loud? No stepping back and saying "ahh, how beautiful can it be" like you do with flashy painted Colnagos.
Bottom Line:
My Maillot Jaune is as good as any steel, race-caliber bike on the market today. The Reynolds 853 tubing is stiff, and provides a solid platform for out of the saddle efforts, yet absords road vibrations very well. The Dura Ace grouppo works extraordinarily well, and the rest of the kit is top notch.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale R600 (CAAD 4 frame), Trek 5500 w/ Campy Daytona, Eddy Merckx Strada O.S. (turned me into a steel fan), Quattro Assi Rocket (bought to race it with Team Diabetic, but never did).
Bike Setup: Full Dura Ace grouppo - works flawlessly (just as good as Campy Chorus or better,never tried Record); Look 396 Laurent Jalaberts (wanted Time Equipes, but didn't want to buy new shoes); 3T Forgie XL bar and stem (switched to Deda Magic for proper fit); Cane Creek S6 headset (not as cool as a King, but looks and works great); Selle San Marco Aspide saddle (switched to Avocet O2, my personal favorite); Easton CT2 seatpost (the stock post SUCKED); Bontrager Race Lite wheels (upgraded to Dura Ace 7701 aero wheels on day of sale - you MUST try these - screw Kryseriums); Bontrager Race X-Lite tires (these are really good tires, and can be inflated to 135 psi w/ no problems); and Ciussi Elite cages (grip bottles well and look good, too).
To celebrate this year's Tour (especially the part without Al Trautwig!!!!), we are having a Maillot Jaune Special at the studio. From Monday July 14 - Wed July 23 all RoadBikeRevi Read More »
I'm not sure of the exact year of this frame, but I believe it's circa 2000. Seller is stating that it's a 2005 spine design, which it is obviously not. Anyone know what year thi Read More »
I currently ride a 2003 Lemond Maillot Jaune (Reynolds Pro 853 frame). I'm looking to upgrade, and looking at the Gunnar Roadie. The geometry on the Gunnar looks a little faster Read More »
Scored a "parts bike" on eBay recently. This MJ comes from 96 or 97, when Trek built it in full carbon fiber. The most expensive components that came with it needed some reconditi Read More »
Hello, I am new here. Looking for some info on a bike I have. Its a 56cm Lemond like the title says. I am guessing late 80's early 90's. Stamped 56 and TX in the bottom br Read More »
