LeMond Bicycles Nevada City

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Lbs

Favorite Ride:
Anything within riding distance

Bike Setup:
stock except for a bottle cage and Cateye Mity8 speedometer.

Summary:
This 2002 model uses Reynolds 853 tubing. I had long wanted a classic steel bike liek the 2nd hand ones I grew up with; narrow tubes, that special ride quality. But without the rust and "can i still get a wheel with that spacing" worry that comes with riding old or second hand bikes regularly.

In short, I wanted a new old-style bike. But the Lemond was all that and more.

Originally known for their narrow steel tubing and unique ride, Lemond -- named for the famous racer, whose "signature" adorns the bike -- has recently made aluminum frames and, indeed, only carries High end steel now. The Nevada City was their entry-entry-level bike, the cheapest -- but with a nice frame and quality to match. The paint job, a subtly metalic grey/silver, is perfect, with a clear coat you can practically see. The end of the top tube, by the seat cluster, bears Greg Lemond's "signature", and the headbadge is unique and colorful [in the cycling world, "racing stripes" are multicolored] without being tacky. Similarly multi-colored bands edge the seat and downtube decals with "lemond" on them.

The bike rides as good as it looks -- oddly enough, better than I expected. Hey, Sora is cheap-cheap if dependable, and not a hot-ticket item -- but ridign this bike I felt like a kid again. I had just come out of surgery -- still had stitches in my shoulder, in fact -- but taking Synder Ave I got up to nearly 35mph. For a guy nealry ridign one-handed you'd think it was hairy, but the bike was totally stable.

The 'Vada is comfortable at crusing speeds of 30mph, or just cruising around the backroads at 15 mph. Unlike some modern designs it doesn't push you to immitate a racer; but if you wanna bomb down that hill at speeds approaching 40mph, it'll take it.

Climbing is easy; the slogan "a ride like no other" is truly what it is. I climbed a hill I have trouble with on other bikes when standing -- sitting down. Okay, the triple really helped out in this department, but the truth is, the frame geometry is an all-around winner. Just like the bike. In fact, except for the Sora and lack of stock clipless pedals I could find no fault in it. But then, Sora makes possible the tripel chainring and keeprs the price low. And it is easy to operate -- this coming from a guy who grew up on Suntour downtube friction shifters! And unlike most entry-levels, it had decent rims, which will save lotsa money over the long haul -- which this machine appears built for.

In my mind, discontinuing the entry level steel frames, including the Nevada City, was the worst thing Lemond could do. Sure it has techy bikes that are part Ti and part carbon, but Steel is still Real.

Strengths:
853 is Reynolds top tubeset, and this frame rides like it. 700x25c tires are more forgiving than 23s. Geometry is perfect. Classic steel frame look. Great subdued paint job. Nice comfy San Marco saddle is an update of an older design, retro enough to fit the bike but don't fear the rain; it isn't leather like the old ones.

Weaknesses:
Sora can't shift from the drops [but how often do I need to do that?!], and the bike did not come with clipless pedals.

Similar Products Used:
Various refurbished and secondhand bikes; '01 Trek XO1.

Price Paid:  $750.00 at 59th street bikes, B

Favorite Ride:
longboat key / emerson point

Bike Setup:
all stock, except speedplay pedals, and profile design century aerobars that I only use for tris.

Summary:
A great comfortable ride, as soon as I test rode it, the bike was calling my name ! A no brainer, very durable and steady, nice and quiet, easy shifting, I did put on speedplay pedals and clip on aerobars for about a dozen triathlons. It is heavy for racing but if you provide the motor it will keep up with the lightweights. I will replace this bike with a quicker lighter one for tris and group riding but I know I'm going to miss it alot.

Strengths:
Steel is Real! 24 pounds of comfort, very durable, great stock saddle, nice thumb shifters, good bike for centuries, touring, etc.

Weaknesses:
None, It maybe heavy, but you wouldn't buy a bike like this for racing anyway.

Similar Products Used:
My old mountain bike, This was my first real road bike,

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Performance Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
level or slightly hilly roads

Bike Setup:
The saddle on the Nevada City has been replaced by a Terry Fly, & I had a shop upgrade the shifting system to Ultegra STI Triple a month ago. Both changes made for a superior ride. I have the toe-strap equipped pedals that came stock. I went to a threadless steerer and the shortest stem I could find within a couple of months of buying the bike. I have a Cat Eye computer, & I am crazy enough to ride at night, so I added a Cygo-Lite Night Rider dual headlight system with a water-bottle battery holder.

Summary:
The bike is a 2001 model, midnight blue & white, very pretty, & generates positive comments from other riders. I don't care for the color schemes of subsequent years. The steel frame is responsive, quiet, & quick enough for the style of riding that I do; I like to go fast, but I do not race. I have over 1,200 miles on it without a tune-up or problems except as noted below. I am happy I got it & have enjoyed riding it enormously.

Strengths:
Beautiful color scheme on the '01, great ride, good value, no mechanical problems. The welds are very well finished; they don't show. I wish I had time to ride it more often.

Weaknesses:
The Sora triple shifting was iffy but adequate (see below). If you ride a lot, you may tire of the Sora gear real fast. In the future, I will not go below Shimano 105 STI shifters, worth the extra money. The stock seat was poor, but I was too lazy to replace it until it began to disintegrate along the lower edges after about a year. Not the bikes problem, but mine: I got a frame (57 cm) that is slightly too large for me. Also, the stem was too long and the dealer wouldn't swap it out so I had to buy a new one.

Similar Products Used:
I test-rode Cannondales, carbon-fiber, and titanium-framed bikes. I considered the rides on all of them too harsh, & the bikes too expensive (I have to admit that one carbon-fiber bike, a Talon, was t

Price Paid:  $725.00 at The Bicycle Gallery

Favorite Ride:
bombing the west hills

Bike Setup:
pretty much stock...i did add a bike computer and spd pedals but thats about it

Summary:
I like this bike alot...Im not really to keen on the sora components but they will do for now....I use this as my "fun" bike and commute on a gary fisher with slicks....overall, i like the retro/subdued aesthetics of the bike and the bikes well natured road manners....

Strengths:
nice frame, sweet paint job, flight deck shifters, nice rims...fast, fast, fast

Weaknesses:
the sora rear derailleurs look kinda chintsy and they are a pain to fine tune...the bike is a tad on the heavy side too...

Similar Products Used:
none....i own a gary fisher and a shogun touring bike but neither can compare...

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Pearsons (UK)

Favorite Ride:
Ewenny Cafe

Bike Setup:
Daytona ergos and mechs.
Chorus chainset and bottom bracket.
Record dual pivots.
Mirage hubs on Ambosio Excellance rims.
ITM road racing stem and bars.
ITM Big One seatpins.
Rolls Due saddle.
Michelin Axial Pro tyres (I need to get proper winter tyres soon).

Summary:
I bought mine a few months back as a winter bike and got a good deal from Pearsons although the spec here in the UK is a bit poor (Reynolds 520 instead of the 853 Designer Select you enjoy in the US). As I prefer Campag I've dumped the Shimano triple and put on a Daytona groupset but with an old Chorus chainset and cheap wheels for the winter Mirage hubs on Ambrosio rims (£70 from Oldham Cycle Centre). Mudguards went on very easily and it will take 23c tyres with guards no problems.

It's a good looking bike and slightly retro in appearance. Looks aside, there is something about the geometry of this bike that feels good and the relaxed seat tube angle really does work as advertised because climbing whilst seated feels so much more efficient.

I'm delighted with it and would consider one from further up the range as my Sunday best bike for 2003.

Strengths:
Stylish appearance.
Geometry.
Functional winter bike.

Weaknesses:
Slightly heavy.
UK spec is lower. Why?

Similar Products Used:
Custom made steel winter bike (not as good).
Aluminium winter bike (too harsh)