LeMond Bicycles Maillot Jaune

Price Paid:  $2900.00 at Race Pace Bikes, Ell

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
LeMond Maillot Jaune

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace throughout, Cane Creek headset, 3TTT bar and stem, Selle Italia saddle, Bontrager wheels

Summary:
I purchased this bike after having test ridden it several times. I chose it because of its conservative design philosophy, its ride quality, and its cosmetics. It is also considerably cheaper than other comparably equipped bikes.

Strengths:
This bike is a pure road racer. It adapts well to criterium situations ( I race mostly crits), but is best suited as a road beast -- stiff but supple, light but not "whippy". Above all, it is very well behaved. The "spine" of the bike -- head tube, down tube, and chain stays -- is made of steel. The "cockpit" -- fork, top tube, seat tube, and wishbone seat stays -- is made of carbon fiber. This, according to LeMond, produces the ideal combination of both stiffness and compliance. It also has a very conservative geometry, with a 73 degree head tube angle, a 72.5 degree seat tube angle, and a relatively low bottom bracket.

Weaknesses:
This bike is slightly heavier than other all-carbon frames. But that additional weight goes to the right places -- the power center and the stress points of the bike. The result is a reassuring sense of stability, especially on long descents and on rough roads. At 175 lbs, I need a fairly stiff bike, and the Maillot Jaune fits the bill.

Similar Products Used:
Hollands Custom, Poliaghi Italcorse, Bottecchia Sprint

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Races

Bike Setup:
Dura-ace shifters and rear derailleur
Ultegra front derailleur and brake callipers
American Classic/Velocity Wheels
FSA BB
Easton EC-90 SLX fork
Syntance F99 stem
Kestrel handlebars
Look Pedals

Summary:
For long distance riding and intermediate racing it is the best bike there is. Smoothest ride possible by a road bike. Awesome climber.

Strengths:
Climbs and long rides. makes for a gentle ride

Weaknesses:
Little more flex than what i like but not too bad, and not the lightest frame

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR 1, Trek Madone SL 5.2, Felt (cant remember model now, and quite a few others

Price Paid:  $620.00 at eBAy

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
Fresh asphalt

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace derailleurs, brakes, and shifters. Truvativ Roulleur Carbon compact crankset, FSA K-Wing bars, Koobi AU Enduro saddle, Thomson Elite seatpost and stem, Neuvation M28 Aero wheelset, Michelin Race Pro2s.

Summary:
After riding a Kestrel 200EMS that was too tall for me, and after I built several LeMond Zurich's for friends, I was asked to build a 2004 57cm Zurich and I fell in love with the fit and performance. Two weeks later, I found a 2004 Maillot Jaune to transfer my Dura Ace components to and have no regrets (but sadness) in leaving the Kestrel behind.

Strengths:
Comfort, stability, and agility. This bird yearns to fly at every corner, hill, and sprint zone. One of the nicest riding bikes on centuries for a racer. Gets a lot off oohs and ahhs, especially with the custom paint job.

Weaknesses:
Paint was mediocre. Repainted to an exotic metallic ruby red. LeMond loves to show his name with all the cheap decals too. Retail price was high for a steel/carbon bike.

Similar Products Used:
LeMond Zurich, Kestrel 200EMS, Kestrel 200SCi, Trek 2000.

Price Paid:  $2749.00 at Cyclewerks

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
most pace lines

Bike Setup:
True Temper OX Platinum steel
OCLV 120 carbon
full Dura Ace
Mavic Kysrium SL's
Bontrager bars,stem,seatpost and saddle
Speedplay Zeros

Summary:
Finally finding the bike that fits me I have enjoyed the last three rides since purchasing my Lemond. I have found the comfort and geometry just what I was looking for. I'm not overally concerned about weight, rather just wanted something stable and efficient. I got both with this bike.

Strengths:
smoothness and comfort

Weaknesses:
paint job
small bubbles in clear coat

Similar Products Used:
Specialized S-works
Seven
Trek

Price Paid:  $666.00 at Cape Able Bike Shop

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
hills, flats, curves, and straights

Bike Setup:
stock with the exception of some ti bolts-

Summary:
Butter Rocket- with solid parts pick - smooth yet responsive- answers evrything I give it. Dampens New England roads like a champ.

Strengths:
reasonable weight, looks are classy not flashy, gerat build kit. Comfy seat.

Weaknesses:
wiiiide handlebar, stupid plastic wannabe headbadge I already took off- G Lemond's dumb comments on Lance- great PR move for someone in the Trek family- not.

Similar Products Used:
steel Columbus MS Basso
steel Ishiwata Bianchi