LeMond Bicycles Buenos Aires

Price Paid:  $750.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
lonesomesteve@gmail.com

Bike Setup:
Stock except for saddle.

Summary:
I used to do a lot of mountain biking and I’ve been a year-round commuter for many years, but I’m pretty new to serious road riding. The LeMond Buenos Aires is my first “serious” road bike in over 20 years so take my opinion for what it’s worth.

I bought my BA used on eBay. Supposedly it had only about 250 miles on it when I got it. I’ve added another 750 or so in the two months I’ve had it including two century rides. So far my impressions are:

Comfort – My commuter bike is a Bianchi Volpe. With its bombproof steel frame it’s supposed to be my solid, comfortable, cushy, Cadillac-style ride. But the LeMond actually feels smoother and more stable despite the fact that the Bianchi outweighs it by 3 – 4 pounds. The steel frame does a great job of absorbing vibration, yet it still feels fairly light and lively. Geometry is a personal thing, but the BA’s geometry works perfectly for me. With a slightly longer top tube, I’ve heard that LeMond geometry is best suited for people with relatively shorter legs/longer body (which unfortunately describes me pretty well).

Handling – Above I mentioned smooth and stable, but it’s not at the cost of responsiveness. The BA seems to love diving into corners. It’s not twitchy, but it responds quickly in a very predictable way. On descents the BA tracks smooth and straight and inspires confidence. I’ve never experienced any high-speed wobbles, and I’ve had it well over 40 mph a couple of times.

Nice Components – Full Ultegra except for a 105 bottom bracket. Shifting is flawless and much smoother and quicker than on my Tiagra equipped Bianchi. The saddle is the only thing that needed to change.

I did test rides on bikes that were both lighter and stiffer than the BA. While they may climb and accelerate a little better, I’d much rather be on my BA for any ride longer than 40 - 50 miles. In the long run, comfort = speed.

Strengths:
Comfort, handling and nice components as described above. I would also expect a quality steel frame like this to last for many years.

Weaknesses:
While it’s not a big issue to me, my LeMond is hardly the lightest bike on the road. I don’t have a super accurate scale, but it seems to be about 20 lbs. Spend a couple thousand on lighter components if you want to shed some weight, or just skip a few meals and ride more. :)

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Volpe (my commuter). Also test rode Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3, Cannondale R1000, Bianchi Veloce, LeMond Chantery, LeMond Alpe d' Huez, LeMond Sarthe.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
One that stops at the donut shop

Bike Setup:
Stock with Ultegra SPD-SL R600 pedal, Terry fly saddle, Specialized Bar Phat under tape.

Summary:
Purchased from ebay. I was a little hesitant, but the bike arrive with no sign of use -- like new. Mine had full Ultegra. I swapped the saddle for a terry fly, and put on Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals. Great bike. I can outsprint my friends on lighter (slightly) aluminum bikes and can always outlast them with the smooth steel ride. Hated to see this frame go for 2004.

Strengths:
Well made steel frame
Full Ultegra group.
Price

Weaknesses:
Saddle (too soft)
Seat post (hard to adjust and heavy)

Similar Products Used:
Simonci frame
Various mountain bikes

Price Paid:  $1450.00 at Belmont Wheelworks

Favorite Ride:
Concord & Carlisle MA

Bike Setup:
San Marco Trigel saddle, Profile Design aero bars, Specialized computer. Everything else stock.

Summary:
I am 6' 5" and more of my height is in my upper body, which is why I was originally drawn to the LeMond geometry. I am also a diehard fan of steel frames. I love this bike and have riden it for about 1500 miles. It is smooth and responsive. Like others, I have swapped out the stock saddle for a San Marco. I have also added a set of aero bars. For the money, the BA is a great value. I know folks who spent quite a bit more to get an equivalent bike.

Strengths:
Steel frame, geometry.

Weaknesses:
Stock saddle, unexciting paint scheme (the '04s look even worse to me.)

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale

Price Paid:  $1350.00 at local bike shop

Favorite Ride:
all of them

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
Great bike if you like stretched out geometry, it inspires confidence to ride fast! Smooth, stable at speed. Light weight for steel frame. Great components. Crappy saddle.

Strengths:
Shimano Ultegra group. Smooth ride.

Weaknesses:
Paint scheme. Saddle.

Similar Products Used:
Trek, Giant, Specialized, Bianchi

Price Paid:  $1399.00 at Cycle Werks

Favorite Ride:
along the pacific coast

Bike Setup:
All ultegra grupo except the bottom bracket. Triple chainring which is great when you run out of gas and just want to get home. Shimano ultegra pedals.

Summary:
This is my first serious road bike and I could not be happier. Bike is comfortable light and easy to maintain.

Strengths:
The biggest strength is the Lemond geometry that gives you the added top tube length. I test rode a dozen bikes and this one is the only one that "felt" good.

Weaknesses:
For the price paid it should offer an all ultegra grupo.

Similar Products Used:
I was riding a converted moiuntain bike. The difference is night and day on the road. I'll keep the mountain bike for dirt trails...