LeMond Bicycles Fillmore

Price Paid:  $400.00 at ebay, bought as fram

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
filmore frame, trek carbon fork, brooks b-17, deep v with surly hub in rear, bontrager 650 in the front, sugino messenger crank, mks track pedals, soma double straps, fsa carbon seat post

Summary:
i bought as a frameset after ridding my friends. I loved the geometry and it was fast but did not care for the stock parts. The bike is super fast and has been one of my favorite frames i have ever had.

Strengths:
steal fork to heavy and stock parts arent worth using

Weaknesses:
amazing geometry, fast lite frame

Price Paid:  $450.00 at LBS - London

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Home from work

Bike Setup:
Charge Spoon seat, Cross-stop front brake lever, Deda Pista bars, Tubus Fly rack, Race Blades, Gator Skins. All the rest is stock.

Summary:
Very few reviews of this online so thought I would help out others who may, like I did, consider this bike. I have an 57cm 08 fillmore with the steel fork, running fixed. I tested a steamroller and a langster before choosing the fillmore and have never regretted the decision. Sure others may be as strong and others may be cheaper, but for my money the fillmore provides the smoothest ride, sharpest response and best value I have ever had from a bike. It really is that good. When you try one if you have not ridden fixed before they make you ride free, which doesn't do the bike or the experience justice.

Watch the stock tyres though, a bit prone to punctures so I replaced them with gator skins. I ride 16 miles a day, so not that far really, but in any weather the fillmore is the weapon of choice. Like the other reviewer says, it is fast. I rarely get overtaken and that is running the stock chainring and sprocket. Good gear actually, I think it is a 72 inch and it provides great acceleration, straightline speed and braking. Crank clearance is never an issue either, just lean it over and in it goes.

The steel frame really suits this bike's style, making it silent and smooth when the road quietens down. I love it.

Strengths:
Smooth ride
Great stock setup
Beautiful finish
Something I can't put my finger on, but a lot of it

Weaknesses:
Stock tyres can be puncture prone
I had to have the rear wheel rebuilt, batch of bad spokes (or poorly-built mass-produced wheel - find one these days on a bike like this that isn't) meant that I broke 4 in 3 months. Still, £30 later I haven't had a problem in 2 years.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 8500, Giant SCR, Falcon Sport Eddie Mercx, restored from back in the day, Specialized Crossroads

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Revolution Cycles Ge

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
NW DC at night

Bike Setup:
Switched out the stock pedals for some Shimano SPD/platform pedals. I added some clip on head/tail lights so people can see me at night.

Summary:
After riding countless other fixed gear commuter/track bikes, I decided on the Fillmore for several reasons. It's lighter and has better components than a Langster or Pista (but costs slightly more). Also, unlike the aformentioned bikes, you won't see a Fillmore locked up at every street post on the block. If that sounds snotty so be it, but, seriously, who wants to look like everyone else?

As for the ride itself, it's a more complete package than other similar bikes. The geometry is agressive, but not so track-like that your back and neck start to throb after 15 miles. The carbon fork, an item that LeMond did not include on the 07 model, does a great job dampening road shocks and vibrations. Spending the entire day on this bike is not a problem.

Finally, and most importantly, this bike is FAST. That's all you should really care about right? If you are crazy enough to think you can make that left turn before those other rush hour commuters in their cars over in the opposite lane barrel through the intersection at 35MPH, this bike will support you all the way.

Strengths:
Better components than most off the rack track bikes.
Super fast.
Unique (at least where I live).
Steel frame/carbon fork makes long rides easier on the body.
I can regularly speed past people doing group rides on their $5k road bikes.

Weaknesses:
Front wheel creaks and groans while hammering up or down steep inclines and declines.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Sputnik, Bianchi Pista, Specialized Langster, older fixie road bikes