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Submitted by
Tangoguy
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: July 6, 2008
Bottom Line: Large frame 63cm. Highly flexible and has a high speed shimmy that is dangerous if not deadly when going down hills and especially while down hilling and cornering. The bike has been checked out by three independant cycle shops and all concur that there is no misalignment in the frame, forks, and that the wheels are well balanced. The frame is made of Reynolds steel. I'd never buy another Lemond product based on my experience with this one.
Favorite Ride: anywhere on Vancouver Island.
Price Paid:
$1750.00
Purchased At: used but like new.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: August 23, 2007
Strengths: Solid frame with steel dampening qualities.Weaknesses: The tires delaminated after 200 miles. Replaced with Vittoria and rode the tread off of them, now using Michelin and love the ride. I chased a nagging crank arm click for 500 miles before eliminating that. The saddle has not lasted as long as I would like but the new Brooks B-17 narrow is a dream.Bottom Line: I love the feel of steel. Great Bike and great components. I am 47 and I was not interested in the newest or trendiest materials. What I wanted was a stiff dependable frame that wouldn't loosen my teeth over chip and seal farm to market roads. After 6,000 miles I have no complaints.
Favorite Ride: any of 5-6 local farm to market routes
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: Bicycles Incorporate
Bike Setup: full ultegra including pedals, Brooks B-17 narrow, Michelin krylion tires
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
1903a3 Fan
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: June 3, 2006
Strengths: Full Ultegra groupset came stock. 853 frame plus OCLV fork means much less road chatter and softer bumps. Reasonably stiff despite that. Wheels are true as the day I got them (stock Bonty Race Lites) with no problems.
I suppose if it was made of featherlight Unobtanium, with no flex and total shock absorbtion, perfectly aerodynamic, responsive, stable, custom-fitted, and inexpensive, it would be better. As is, 5 for value owing to the reduced price and 5 overall because my gripes are minor to the point of being nearly inconsequential and/or easily remedied.Weaknesses: Stock saddle is not very good. I can deal, but I'm looking to change it out soon.
I'm light but when I really start pushing hard (attacking a hill or launching into a sprint interval) I can pick up some definite flex. Minor but noticeable. And as I refine my technique and get smoother, it gets more minimal, if that makes any sense.
Not the lightest, but I'm not big so it's not a big deal.
Not the new half-carbon frame, again not a big deal for weight or whatever it's supposed to do. Likewise on the stock wheels. If I want those lighter (if I get insane enough to try anything competitive), I'll swap for some lighter tubes and tires rather than spending umpty-hundreds of dollars on marginally lighter wheelsets. Or I'll just train harder.Bottom Line: Steel is Real!
Got this bike used at around half of retail, I think. (despite the "6 months' use" tag, it's been closer to 7 or 8)
Not bad for only two years old and not a whole lot of use on it. I've put a good number of miles on it and overall I'm quite happy with it. I know there are generally complaints about stock seats, but I can generally get by on this one. I'm keeping an eye out for a possible replacement, but so far the Selle San Marco isn't too bad. I have to admit that I haven't done any rides going over a couple hours though, so I don't know how it'd work out for anything really long.
I'm quite thin (about 6'0"-6'1" and 130-140 lbs.--mine is a 57cm frame) so the fact that it's steel and thus heavier than carbon or aluminum doesn't bother me very much. I do like the way it seems to absorb bumps and vibration--when I run into some unfavorable spots, the rattling always seems less than I expect. That could be just psychological though.
Now that I'm getting back into shape, I'm noticing my cruising speeds climb--they started around 17-18 mph a couple months ago, now getting above 20-21. I always seem to do better on group rides than on solo rides, for some reason. And hills are getting to be my territory, which is a big plus.
The paint scheme is sorta unusual, but I have no problems with it. It does get kinda extra-warm on bright days though, that might get annoying except that I don't sit directly on the frame.
Anyway, I really like ths bike. If I ever have to replace 'er, it'll be with probably a newer version of the same thing. But I hope that I don't have to replace it anytime soon, because except for a couple of minor gripes it's everything I need in a road bike.
Favorite Ride: anything long with some hills, not too hot
Price Paid:
$1150.00
Purchased At: an acquaintance
Similar Products Used: Tested a Specialized, forget what model but it was more expensive, an older Zurich (don't remember what year but it would have been a screamin' deal if I hadn't missed it)
Bike Setup: Stock Ultegra group except Vredestein Fortezza SE tires, PD-R600 pedals, 2 Elite alloy bottle cages, FlightDeck computer, and Bontrager Race Lite stem instead of the TTT Forgie one. Standard saddle, that may change someday but it works for now.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
danrog
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006
Strengths: The frame and all-Ultegra group are big positives. The Bontrager Race Lite wheels are great. I haven't even had them trued yet.Weaknesses: As with all steel frames, you should apply Frame Saver before you ride it. Weaknesses are the cheap Bontrager tires, Selle San Marco saddle, and the 3T bar & stem.Bottom Line: Great product. Nothing beats an all steel frame. It's fairly light and very solid feeling. I've put a few thousand miles on it now and made a few upgrades. I recommend replacing the cheap saddle and 3T bar & stem. The pure Ultegra group on this bike is refreshing given the way Trek outfits their other brands.
Favorite Ride: Mt. Greylock Century
Price Paid:
$1830.00
Purchased At: Handlebars Cycle in
Bike Setup: Non-oversized Ritchey WCS bar & stem combo... because what's the point of an oversized bar? I also added a Specialized BG Avatar saddle, Thomson Elite seatpost, and a FSA Energy Compact Crank.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Morris
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: July 27, 2005
Strengths: Refined 853 steel frame comfort
Nicely appointed with componentsWeaknesses: Unique frame geometry isn't for everyone
Original seat was garbageBottom Line: I purchased this bike because it was comfortable and after a long layoff from road cycling it seemed like a safe bet. The bike rekindled my passion for riding, and although I've moved on to another bike, I still have alot of fondness for it. If you're a diehard steel rider then it's hard to find a better value.
Favorite Ride: Tour to Tanglewood
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: Paul's Schwinn
Similar Products Used: 2005 Cannondale R5000 (current bike)
Bike Setup: Stock 57cm with USD Alien Carbon seatpost and Selle Italia Fluid seat
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