LeMond Bicycles Sarthe

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Cycledrome

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Berks County hills

Bike Setup:
As bought, except for Brooks saddle.

Summary:
My triple Sarthe came with Campagnolo Veloce shifters, brakes, and derailleurs. This has performed fine, but shifts are a little noisy compared to my previous Iron Horse Victory with Ultegra. I ride about 100 miles per week, including winter. This groupe is still like new. Wheels are Bontrager Race. I have read mixed reviews about these wheels. Mine have only required minor truings, and not often. The orange and cream color was the reason I bought the bike. It still attracts attention --even from riders with bikes costing a few times more. I buy good racing clinchers, and this bike is great flying down our "hills", which are up to 1,100 vertical rise. I didn't like the saddle, so I bought a limited edition Brooks Sprint with titanium metal parts. Saddles are personal. I wish bikes came without saddles, not just pedals.

Strengths:
Everything has been fine.

Weaknesses:
I didn't like the saddle (see above).

Similar Products Used:
Previously an Iron Horse Victory will 100% Ultegra -- another good steelie.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
socal coast

Bike Setup:
I replaced the triple crank with a compct dohuble, I also changed my saddle to a fizik. I use Look Keo sprints.

Summary:
I ride my bike to work 10 miles away and then I like to ride the up and down the coast in San Diego. I am very happy with my bike. Is very smooth and it doesnt feel harsh like aluminum. I recomend it if you like steel. It is not that heavy, but It definetly isnt as light as carbon fiber. I am 6'3" and 140lbs, I ride the 61cm, Feels good might have considered the 59cm though.

Strengths:
ultegra group, price. looks good, smooth ride

Weaknesses:
Bontrager saddle and bontrager triple crank

Similar Products Used:
Giant OCR3, SR semi-pro

Price Paid:  $350.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
redwood/pinehurst/skyline/redwood

Bike Setup:
105 br/shifter and rear der. Ultegra frnt der. crankset 52/39, carbon seatpost and Hbar, full carbon reynolds fork. SLR seat, neuvation sl2 wheelset, chris king H/S.... 18.3lbs

Summary:
Bought my orange Sarthe [frame w/ 2 forks]thru ebay. Listed as 53 but twas really a 51 [I'm 5'9"].. I was bummed,but when it arrived I assembled it and was surprised that it fit's me very well. I really love it that I rarely ride my Alu/cabon framed Aprisa team [soon to be listed thru craigslist].
The bike rides like a cadillac, It's so comfortable that I chose it over the Aprisa for my first Napa century. Got a lot of compliments from othe riders.

Strengths:
Here we go...STEEL IS REAL! Classic Lemond geometry . Timeless looks . price

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Fuji robaix 853 steel

Price Paid:  $1699.00 at The Blue Wheel

Favorite Ride:
Skyline Dr in the Shenandoah Park

Bike Setup:
stock 2008 setup except saddle and Crank Bros Smarty pedals; wheelset is getting replaced soon.

Summary:
Mine is the 2008 model. The geometry seems to suit me well (I'm 5'10 and ride a 53 cm frame). I personally love the azure blue/off-white color combination. The Sarthe has a timeless look that I feel will age well, unlike some of the flashier stuff made today. So far, on many short rides (<10 mi) and one longer (50 mi) ride, it sails along ever so smoothly, the way one would expect from the True Temper OX Platinum steel frame. I don't have any qualms with its marginally heavier weight (21 lbs w/Crank Bros Smarty pedals, cages, bike bag, computer, etc). I used MTB pedals intentionally so that I could share shoes w/my Stumpy, because I'm cheap. So with true road shoes and a lighter wheelset, the overall weight could drop significantly lower.

The Sarthe climbs long steep grades with ease and aplomb. Descending is even better, as the Sarthe has handling that is lively and gives good road feel while still being calm enough to retain a sense of stability. The bike loves to swoop through fast corners, though I'm guessing you'd want to look elsewhere for a crit bike (but I'm no racer).

The Ultegra/105 group mix is a solid choice, and competitive for the price. I will probably switch over to SRAM Force as soon as I have some extra cash, but that's hardly necessary. I love this bike so far, and can highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet-riding and sweet-looking road bike that can do everything from your daily commute to centuries to sprinting against your friends. It probably isn't for the serious racer, but you knew that, and shouldn't even be reading this. Shame on you...

Strengths:
- Ultegra/105 group mix
- sweet frame
- ride, handling, road feel, climbing

Weaknesses:
- Bontrager saddle; my LBS swapped it out for a Selle San Marco Aspide at no charge, but I hate that one too, so I'm going to go for the same Specialized Avatar gel that I have on my Stumpjumper
- Bontrager Race wheelset & Race Lite tires -- they're OK, but I'm ditching them soon for a lighter higher-performance setup
- my girlfriend is going to leave me if I spend any more time riding the Sarthe ;)

Similar Products Used:
tested: 07 LeMond Chambery, Bianchi 928 C2C, Specialized Roubaix Comp

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Newington bike (lbs)

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
30mile lots of hills

Bike Setup:
Stock crank bros candy pedals, new seat to come

Summary:
mine is the new 08' The color is not for everyone but it has grown on me. The bike rides exellent. I have ridden madones and this bike feels great at half the price.

Strengths:
ultegra were it counts
08' has race-X-lite fork
Steel is Real

Weaknesses:
mine is 1.25 pounds heavier than the aluminum bike i looked at.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 3.2 Madone
Lemond Victoire D-ace
trek 1500