LeMond Croix de Fer vs Trek 2100 vs Trek 1500

I don't want to get into the "steel is real" religious wars (or maybe
I do :-)), but I am trying to narrow down my selection for my first
road bike.

This weekend, I testrode the 2005 LeMond Croix de Fer ($1230,
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bike...x_de_fer.shtml), the 2005
Trek 2100 ($1430, http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Road...2100/index.php),
and the 2004 Trek 1500 ($950,
http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Road...1500/index.php).

So far, I have ridden a MTB, and this will be my first road bike. This
is mainly for commute (~11-12 miles - mostly flat), and some
recreational riding in the hills around the Bay Area, including the
occasional century (done one on the MTB - decided I deserved a road
bike after that experience).

The LBS suggested that the 1500 would be adequate for most purposes,
but on a long ride, the road vibration might get to me late in the
ride. The 2100 gives a better frame (ZR9000 with carbon seat stays vs
Alpha Aluminium for the 1500), and nicer components. They also said
that Croix de Fer, with a steel frame, would also provide a
comfortable ride, but be slightly heavier (about a couple of pounds
more).

I am leaning towards the Croix de Fer or Trek 2100 since the frames
appear nicer, and I can upgrade components later if I wish. I think I
must be fairly insensitive after so many years on a MTB that I thought
all the bikes felt great on the test rides, and I couldn't feel much
difference in the 3 miles or so that I rode.

Any opinions? The Croix de Fer is a new bike, and so, there was
nothing in http://www.roadbikereview.com. The 2005 Trek 2100 seems a
significant upgrade from the 2004 (better wheels and other compnents,
but same frame - about $200 more as well).

Any opinions on the Shimano PD-M324 pedals
(http://www.epinions.com/pr-Bike_Part..._Pedal_PD-M324).
It is about 100+ gms heavier than the stock M520/M505, but gives me
the option of riding with regular shoes for my commute.

Thx,

Atri

(Atri I) wrote in news:f0ac1dcc.0411221130.513e5c29
@posting.google.com:

http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bike...x_de_fer.shtml

You might consider the LeMond that has a mixture of carbon and steel. I saw
one in your general price range. It was reasonably light. I didn't test
ride it but was told it was great for minimizing road buzz.

On 22 Nov 2004 11:30:47 -0800, (Atri I) wrote:

I don't want to get into the "steel is real" religious wars (or maybe
I do :-)), but I am trying to narrow down my selection for my first
road bike.

This weekend, I testrode the 2005 LeMond Croix de Fer ($1230,
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bike...x_de_fer.shtml), the 2005
Trek 2100 ($1430, http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Road...2100/index.php),
and the 2004 Trek 1500 ($950,
http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Road...1500/index.php).


Any opinions? The Croix de Fer is a new bike, and so, there was
nothing in http://www.roadbikereview.com. The 2005 Trek 2100 seems a
significant upgrade from the 2004 (better wheels and other compnents,
but same frame - about $200 more as well).

Any opinions on the Shimano PD-M324 pedals
(http://www.epinions.com/pr-Bike_Part..._Pedal_PD-M324).
It is about 100+ gms heavier than the stock M520/M505, but gives me
the option of riding with regular shoes for my commute.

Thx,

Atri

Hi, I have a steel 2002 LeMond Tourmalet, which I am very fond of, but
only you can decide which bike has the best fit and most excites your
desire to ride.
I upgraded everything but the fork, headset, and brake calipers, so
the bike is my personal statement. Probably not the most economical
way to do it, but, I did my own work, so it was fun. And now the bike
screams "RIDE ME" whenever I look at it;-)

I now have SPD-SL pedals on the LeMond, but the first pair of clipless
pedals, that I bought were PD-M324. if you are going to use SPD and
want some flexibilty, I don't think you can beat the 324s. I still use
them on my older bike.


Life is Good!
Jeff

"Atri I" wrote in message
om...
Any opinions on the Shimano PD-M324 pedals

(http://www.epinions.com/pr-Bike_Part...ti-Purpose_Ped
al_PD-M324).
It is about 100+ gms heavier than the stock M520/M505, but gives me
the option of riding with regular shoes for my commute.

Thx,

Atri

I have these on my road bike and really like them for those short trips
around the neighborhood to run errands when I want to wear regular shoes.

Alan Acock wrote in message 36...
(Atri I) wrote in news:f0ac1dcc.0411221130.513e5c29
@posting.google.com:

http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bike...x_de_fer.shtml

You might consider the LeMond that has a mixture of carbon and steel. I saw
one in your general price range. It was reasonably light. I didn't test
ride it but was told it was great for minimizing road buzz.

Which one would that be? The cheapest steel-carbon Lemond is the
Versailles (http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/versailles.shtml),
which is in the $1700 range, or about $500 more than the Croix de Fer.

Atri