LeMond Bicycles Tourmalet

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Dales, Oberlin

Bike Setup:
Brooks seat, Phil Wood wheels, full Ultegra components, Jenn Green Headbadge

Summary:
Love the frame, replaced everything, upgraded to full Ultegra. Paint faded, decals were cheesy so it was custom paint (British Green to Moondust fade) all decals removed and not replaced. Brooks seat, Brooks leather bar wrap, Phil Wood wheels. Expensive project and worth evey penny!

Strengths:
The ride

Weaknesses:
Frame - none at all

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh, Cannondale, Trek, Giant

Price Paid:  $899.00 at Breakaway Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Around Gull Lake

Bike Setup:
Stock with a triple chainring plus a Specialized computer. Haven't got to upgrading the pedals yet.

Summary:
This bike was the best I could find for the money. In the end it was between the Lemond and a Trek 1200. The ride of the Lemond was superb and could not be matched by the Trek. This bike is perfect for riders who are looking in the 1000 dollar price range. I researched or rode almost every bike in this price range and higher and this bike beat every one.

Strengths:
The ride of the steel frame and the slick paint job. The 105 derauler is a bonus.

Weaknesses:
The brakes and pedals. Maybe the saddle, but I haven't got it broken in yet.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1200, KHS Flite 500, Cannondale R800 and R600, and Specialized Allez Elite.

Price Paid:  $950.00 at Cycle Loft

Favorite Ride:
Winchester-Belmont-Waltham-Lincoln-Concord-Bedford-Lexington-Woburn-Winchester loop

Bike Setup:
Selle Italia saddle, Speedplay pedals, otherwise stock.

Summary:
Very smooth and quiet ride. Rode it this weekend in Vermont and went sailing down a long hill. Didn't realize I was going in excess of 40 MPH until I looked at the computer. Comfortable on the long uphills. Love the STI shifters and brakes, a big upgrade for me. No noticable flex when cranking up hills.

Strengths:
Excellent frame. Well-chosen components make it a good buy for economy-minded riders.

Weaknesses:
I hate the decals. They feel like I can peel them off. Just assume you're going to replace the pedals.

Similar Products Used:
Old bike was a 15-year-old $220 Nashbar road bike. The similarity ends there.

Price Paid:  $1030.00 at Scheels

Bike Setup:
All stock. I plan to replace the pedals with some Speedplays pretty soon.

Summary:
This is THE bike to buy if you are looking for very smooth riding steel bike that can be upgraded to racing specs. The Reynolds double-butted 853/525 frame could be the best performing steel frame for the money. At this price point, most other manufacturers use double-butted Italian steel or Reynolds 520 steel, which are heavier and less stiff. I purchased this bike as a replacement for my 01 Cannondale H400 hybrid. I loved the Cannodale’s craftsmanship, but after riding on a Schwinn hybrid with a Reynolds 500 frame(yes, the cheap stuff)for several years, I just couldn’t tolerate the CAAD2’s harsh ride quality. I exhaustively researched almost every $1000 road bike on the market and test road bikes from several brands. I found a local bike dealer that had the Tourmalet on sale for $930 and my life hasn’t been the same since.

Strengths:
Reynolds 853/525 frame and carbon fiber fork, which are an unbeatable value for the price. If you take care of paint chips, the frame will last a lifetime. Very comfortable geometry for me. Shimano 105 rear derailler is smooth and efficient. 1 1/8’’ Aheadset and 3TTT stem. Sexy looks; the bike just looks fast.

Weaknesses:
Not many at this price point. The durability of the paint is questionable. Seat is a little uncomfortable. If you want to loose some weight, replace the crankset and wheels first. Go for all 105 or Ultegra if you want to race. Some people may not like the shameless profusion of Lemond logos all over the bike.

Similar Products Used:
Specialize Allez Sport, Lemond Zurich, Trek 1200, Raleigh Grand Prix, I really wanted to try the Jamis Ventura.

Price Paid:  $899.00 at River City Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
North Plains loop

Bike Setup:
53cm
54.5 tt

Summary:
I bought this for the frame. Reynolds 853,Carbon fork, 1 1/8 ahead setup. I will probably ugrade most of the components to Ultegra. It rides like some $2,000+ bikes I've had. Once I sell my old bike I'll be into it about $1000.00. Pretty good for a Ultegra,853 bike.

The other thing about Lemonds is they are USA made and they have great resale value.

Strengths:
853 tubing
Paint
Ride
Carbon Fork
1 1/8 ahead set
105 rear derailluer
bar and stem

Weaknesses:
Cheesy crankset,front derailleur, and brakes.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez Comp
Masi Nuovo Strada
Torelli