Submitted by
Aaron Zwiebel
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2007
Strengths: Excelent value. Perfect bike for someone like me who is just getting into racing. Cheap enough to fit into most budgets, and fast enough to be competitive. I was very pleased with the Shimano 105 10 speed components and an Ultegra front derailleur. The system is responsive and trims nicely. The frame is fairly light and stiff. On par with much more expensive bikes.
Weaknesses: I had problems with the stock parts that my particular bike came with. This will probably vary depending where the bike is purchased. Cane creek brakes fell sketchy, and the Bontrager select wheels are sluggish and heavy. The Bontrager race lite wheels have deteriorated rapidly, and needed replacement after only about 500 miles.
Bottom Line:
I wanted a mid price road bike that I could use to ride for recreation and try out racing. probably a stepping stone before I get a more expensive bike for more serious racing.
Similar Products Used: Felt F4C, Giant OCR1, Trek 1600
Bike Setup: All stock parts. Mostly Shimano 105 set, but with an Ultegra front derailleur. Bontrager select wheels and bontrager race lite tires. Cane creek SCR-3 brakes
Strengths: Comfort (hands don't get numb any more). Riding position. Component value. Brakes. Stability. Shifting. Did I say value?
Weaknesses: Maybe a little heavy but as a non-racer I see no reason to obsess over a pound or two. I can lose that off myself by giving up beer for a weekend.
Bottom Line:
Comfortable, stable, great components for the dollar. Riding position very comfortable for me. Goes well, stops well, handles well, shifts well (after initial adjustment at shop). Looks tastefully good.
Similar Products Used: Tested: Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale R600, Trek Pilot 2.1. Previosuly rode for a few years: Novara Strada (90's vintage). Before that: high school 10-speed from the 70's.
Bike Setup: Weird '06; it has the Bontrager crankset and Ultegra FD/105 RD (?!). Replaced stock seat after first long ride, added PlanetBike imitation RaceBlades for rain, Continental 700x25s, that's about it.
Strengths: Components...Shimano 105 shifters and front derailleur, Ultegra rear derailleur. Bontrager race-lite tires. Bontrager select wheels. Bontrager triple 52/42/32 crank.
Weaknesses: Bontrager Race saddle... immediately switched to Koobi Enduro and noticed the difference...22 miles felt great.
Bottom Line:
Finished LA Marathon. Bike was great...was avg 18-20mph on flats (watch out for blind turn onto 6th St-steep hill, got caught in 27th gear). Stood on pedals over RR tracks and bad bumps, so no complaint on frame stiffness. Shifting smooth (105 on front-Ultegra rear). Never got to small chain-ring on front, so no review there (would've on 6 St had I seen it coming). My son will prob be getting one soon as he's been eyeballing mine...he rode mtn bike at same speed...funny what 29 yr age difference can do. Don't want to tell you to rush to Jenson until I get him the 55 or 53cm Tourmalet. Can't beat it for the price!!!! Local bike shop owner agreed he couldn't have put me on that bike with those components for that price!!! Okay, so 22 miles on a Koobi saddle and my boy wants the Long Beach 26 mi next. Next year maybe the Solvang Century (50 for me - I'll be 50).
Similar Products Used: Only rode cheapies in the late 60s-early 70s... Schwinn Paramount was out of my league.
Bike Setup: Stock Shimano 105/Ultegra and Bontrager components from Jenson USA. Koobi Enduro saddle (great!)... went with egg-beater candy-c pedals (wanted the platform and mtn shoes).
Strengths: light frame that remains stiff and comfortable; quality components for the price; snappy take-offs and gracious cornering.
Weaknesses: saddle, brakes, wheels ok but a bit heavy, tires also ok but nothing to write home about
Bottom Line:
Mine appears to be a common story: I'm a life-long MTB rider who, until recently, had never even been aboard a road bike. But lately I've been doing more commuting, road riding and weekend cruises with friends and my Stumpy FSR just couldn't keep up. After extensive research (online and hands-on), I settled on a 2006 Lemond Tourmalet Triple. It's a 53 frame, and I'm 5'10, 145 lbs. I was looking for a bike that was light, stiff and responsive. I like to ride fast, though I won't be doing any true racing (friendly contests with buddies excluded). My budget allowed for up to about $2000 tops, though I wanted to spend the least possible while still getting what I want. I bought a closeout Tourmalet, and I have everything I wanted! I find that this bike accelerates smartly when you stand on it, corners tightly but without a twitchy feel at speed, maintains speed easily, is a strong climber and is comfortable enough that it encourages me to ride longer than I ever thought I wanted to. Compared to the other bikes I tested (see below), I felt that nothing in the same price range delivered the same combination of feel AND comfort -- most sacrificed one for the other.
The build seems flawless, the component mix (105/Ultegra) works great with the bike, and the Bontrager carbon bits haven't given me any trouble yet. That said, the saddle leaves much to be desired. I suggest the WTB V. The brakes are also rather weak and uninspiring; switch to 105 or better.
I almost went for an 07 Spesh Roubaix Elite Triple instead (full carbon, better damping, a touch quicker), but gave myself a reality check. If I were into frequent century rides, the Spesh would have been the one, but for my needs I couldn't justify the extra $1100. The Giant OCR 1 felt a little racier, but wasn't as comfortable, and cost $300 more (which I put towards a saddle and a pair of eggbeaters, my favorite pedals).
Strengths: I really like the geomitry of the frame. It gives me that extra lenght in the top tube and feels good Also my legs feel better over the crank than a stepper frame. The brakes are ok but I'll probraly relace the pads. The tires are nice even though they look flimsey. Over all the bike feels great
Weaknesses: Brake pads could have been better. The 'Lemond' decals are green and against the aluminum it is not a great combination. I swapped seats but thats personal. I'm not crazy about the redial spokeing on tyhe front wheel but no problems yet. I did move the brake handles up( also had to retape), but again thats personal. overall, very few weakness.
Bottom Line:
I have a long torso, so I need the one degree of frame geomitry off the frame. This means it sets back further and is more comfortable for me. Swaped saddle for a WTB.
