LeMond Bicycles Arrivee

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Trek Store in La Mes

Favorite Ride:
coast route San Diego area

Bike Setup:
Stock with SPD pedals and a Cateye wireless computer. I switched the saddle for a Brooks, the most comfortable saddle in the universe.

Summary:
This titanium wonder is an enjoyable marvel that's got me back into cycling. The ultegra equipment, the clip in petals, the lightness and responsiveness are all new to me. My previous road bike was a twenty-two year old Miyata touring bike. News flash: Bike technology has improved considerably in the last two decades! >

Strengths:
I've turned into a sprinter with the old guys I ride with. This bike is light and easy to ride. Shifting is flawless and easy. ¿

Weaknesses:
It cost me an extra hundred bucks to change to a triple --- still not a bad deal for a full ultegra machine. The paint is gaudy and the bike is covered with "decal" decorations. Compared to my old tourer, the bike feels a little "twitchy."

Similar Products Used:
Best and most expensive bike I've ever owned. I sprang for a pricy (to me) mountain some ten years ago. I bought a Proflex, a rather poor decision on my part, but I enjoy my technologically inferior Proflex anyway.

Price Paid:  $1830.00 at bothell ski & Bike (

Bike Setup:
57cm; switched 10cm to 9 cm headstem, upright; having wireless flight deck installed now; Prolink gel saddle; speedplays

Summary:
hadn't considered this bike until sizeable price drop from Lemond. Purchased a few weeks ago for $1949, but this INCLUDED wireless Flight Deck computer (which I wanted) that they are installing, making actual price equiv to $1830. After a series of rides on varied but largely flat terrain, I am in love with this frame. It is light and stiff enough to jump when stomped on, and absorbs vibration as well as about anything I've ridden. It is as smooth as Lemond steel, but lighter and quicker. It is smoother than trek OCLV IMHO, and nearly as quick. Haven't upgraded components because I spent enough, and Ultegra where it counts is good enough for me. I weighed bike on calibrated medical scale at my clinic, just a hair over 20 lbs.

Strengths:
smooth quick frame; great value at current price, they'll all be gone soon.

Weaknesses:
Not the best component group; basically a Buenos aries with a great frame;
Victoire is Zurich with the better frame, but $500 more - also a good value.
Seat is sella san marco - OK; may upgrade to ProLink gel (in red!).

Similar Products Used:
trek 5200 also a great bike
Lemond alpe de Huez- a very fine basic cruiser

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Any wide smooth road

Bike Setup:
55cm frame.
Full Ultegra Triple upgrade done by LBS at purchase.
Ritchey Pro 10cm, 0 degree rise stem.
Shimano M-959 pedals.
Red Cenelli bar tape.

Summary:
Was ready to order a Lemond Zurich triple. This bike had been hanging around the local bike shop for quite a while. Stock bike was a double, LBS owner upgraded to full Ultegra triple. Stock bike has a mix or 105 and Ultegra components. Was able to purchase for less than the Zurich triple would have cost.

This is my first road bike. My previous bike was a 12 year old Cannondale rigid mountain bike that I had mounted 1" slicks on. The bike had served me well but wasn't cutting it on 30 mile rides. This old bike could shake the fillings out of your teeth on a rough road. I would loose the feeling in my hands at times. The difference has been day and night.

This bike has performed without any problems so far. I have about 750 miles on it in the 3 months I have had it. No adjustments have been required so far. Was a little concerened about the low spoke count wheels at first, haven't thought about it lately. The bike has a really smooth ride and seems to dampen the road vibrations well. Bike has a very quite ride even on some rather rough roads.

Very happy with the bike so far. Switched out original stem to a 10cm, 0 degree rise. Tires are starting to show some wear already. The right new tires should only make this bike better. I consider the bike to be in the break in period still. Shifts and brakes as smoothly as any bike I have ever ridden. I am using Shimano M-959 MTB pedals off of my old bike.

I was ready to get a steel frame bike when I bought this bike and so far I am very happy with my purchase. I would not have purchased the bike at original LBS price of about $2500. List for a triple is about $2800.

Strengths:
Smooth ride. Good road vibration dampening. Flawless shifting and braking. Light weight and stiff without being a harsh ride.

Weaknesses:
Kind of bright color scheme, doesn't bother me as much now as when it was new.

No place for stickers on a bike in this price range. The large stickers on the main tubes scratch and tear easily, are already showing some wear. Will probably remove them in the future.

List price is high for a bike with these specifications. Stock comes equipped the same as a Buenos Aries which cost about $1000 less.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike. Test road many bikes in the $1000-$2000 price range. Rode a Specialized Allez for a couple of weeks that was a real disappointment.