Anybody own a Lemond Sarthe?

Sarc · 04:27 PM

I'm looking for a steel bike with classic geometry in the $1-1500 range and stumbled on this campy equipped Lemond Sarthe. Managed to even see one at the local bike shop. Anybody have any opinions or experience with Lemonds?
I understand they're manufactured by Trek, and that this year might be the last year for production of the Lemond line. I dig the orange paint job, reminds me of Merckx's old bike.

Sarc · 07-05-2005, 12:18 PM

of course there's the little brother; same frame with ultegra 105, the Croix de Fer:

turbo6bar · 07-05-2005, 02:22 PM

Oh, my!!! Steel-framed rides with Campagnolo are my current fetish. I'm looking for a nice steel ride on eBay currently. I've heard Lemond bicycles have longish top tubes. Only thing I'd change on the orange ride is the wheelset (vanilla 32 spoke hand-built). Is it Centaur or Veloce?

cantdrv55 · 07-05-2005, 02:30 PM

Hey Paul, go to www.bikeforums.net in the road cycling section. These Lemonds were discussed just recently.

CamB · CamB's Garage

I'm feeling quite excited by that. Like Jurgen, I like steel bikes. The ride is really nice. My wife's bike is Reynolds 853 steel and rides beautifully.

My mountain bike is an older version of that True Temper tubing (I've got Ultra II) and it is pretty light and stiff. I'd guess the newer OX Platintum is great. It can't possibly be as light as the equivalent alloy or carbon bikes, but what is <1lb between friends?

Price seems to be pretty competitive too...

Specialized have a cheaper steel bike (Allez) but with really crappy wheels. I suspect the tubeset is inferior too. At $2200 RRP they have the Roubaix - a stiff but comfy carbon bike - but it is 9spd Shimano 105 (I've got a Roubaix with Ultegra and it is outstanding). So... my Specialized bias out of the way...

... I dunno who else does a non-boutique fancy steel frame (ok, so I could name 1/2 a dozen who do very nice track frames, but that doesn't count). The Euro brands do, in general, I think.

einreb · 07-05-2005, 04:40 PM

My wife has a Lemond Buenos Aires (Reynolds 853 with ultegra). Its nice bike. I think the general concencous on lemond bikes is that they are a good value.

I wonder if the rumors of Trek dropping the brand are in any way tied with this... http://www.tdfblog.com/2004/07/lemond_french_t.html

For that kind of money you could get a much nicer used bike with a frame like....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7167663573&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7167375469&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

and an ultegra build kit. I love campy stuff, but with the weak dollar... you pay through the nose for it. if i hadn't gotten a screaming deal on my campy record stuff... id be more than happy with shimano.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 07-05-2005, 04:47 PM

Ages ago I had a Ciöcc with SL tubing and all Record. it was a sweet ride but huffing up big hills you would put your foot through the pedal and you feel the bike sucking in your energy.

Pinnerello with SLX was much nicer, but a Roberts was the sweetest ride of all.

Still, fastest bike I ever built was an old first gen Cannondale. Totally no-nonsense, super light, strong and all your power hit the road. Ah memories of youth.

Sarc · 07-06-2005, 04:14 AM

Turbo6car, it comes with veloce.

Cantdrv55, thanks for the link. I came across that site (via Pelican I think) but have forgotten about it. Seems like the Sarthe has it's own little following.

I imagine Trek is dropping Lemond because Mr. Armstrong will need his own line of bikes after he retires, and to have two different lines of bikes with squabbling namesakes is too much for Trek to handle.

Did someone say Pinarello? My dream bike..........