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Post by vtchuck on Apr 19, 2015 19:46:15 GMT
Picked up a couple frames over the last weeks: A recently powder coated Cannondale:  With an interesting and strangely familiar Aluminum front fork:  As well as a 97 Lemond CF frame:  As they say.... "A Fool and his money..." What precipitated this was the sale of my Raleigh Technium and deal of 4 free bikes that included a Univega Ital Sport with Campagnolo Triomphe components. I've already sold the pedals, headset and frame and have a good amount of cash to p@#$ away on frivolities. I'm keeping the Cannondale to set up for my son. Still not sure on the Lemond.... may be a next winter project. Or I may flip it. |
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bendo
Viscount
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Post by bendo on Apr 19, 2015 23:50:53 GMT
The Cannondale looks v familiar indeed. And lovely, in spite of its aluminiumness. Could almost pass for fillet-brazed from a distance. Your son is obviously a giant like his father. b
PS - that fork blade sticker has given me an idea...
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Post by vtchuck on May 18, 2015 20:10:24 GMT
Finally set-up the Canondale for my son. Campy Cranks, Weinmann brakes & rims, Shimano hubs, 8-speed cassette, 105 derailleurs& shifters Sakae stem & bars. 23.5 lbs... not bad for a large frame and pretty heavy wheels. Red Canondale
Should have the LeMond on the road soon |
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Post by velocipete on May 18, 2015 20:42:34 GMT
Very nice indeed. I hope your son is grovellingly grateful!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by vtchuck on May 22, 2015 18:52:07 GMT
The Lemond is finished and ready for a test ride: LeMond
Weighs 19.75 lbs. without pedals. |
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Post by vtchuck on Jun 14, 2015 20:05:57 GMT
So a lot of life events... including family medical issues, unpleasant weather, spring outdoor chores and my 64th birthday (cue Beatles music)... have prevented me from riding. Today, I lined up 4 bikes..the Lemond, my Falcon, the Canondale, and my Viscount and took each out for a 3 mile ride. I am really considering reducing my stable. I have 8 road bikes and 1 MTB and I can't possibly keep and ride them all. VTchuck's Bikes
A few I will never sell.... my Falcon and my Romic, and the Canondale will go to my son. But the rest are up for consideration. I like the Canondale....stiff and solid feel....climbs well, should be a good ride for my son. Very pleasantly surprised by the LeMond feels light and stiff at the same time. Rolls and climbs well My Falcon has improved with the new 531 fork and tall stem. Much more forgiving ride, but still stiff when you stand on the pedals. My impression of the Viscount is that its bland, without a distinct personality or feel. I like the look more than the ride. Both the LeMond and Viscount will get a longer ride or two in the near future. And I'll re-visit the other 4. |
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Post by 54roadie on Jun 15, 2015 6:57:22 GMT
Well, I took a look at your flickr link, and I'm impressed. Good photos, as well as very nice bikes. I wholeheartedly agree about the Falcon, what a wonderful keeper of a bike that is. I'm interested in your comments on the other bikes compared to these. How the Look compares to the LeMond, and also your evaluation of the Treks, which I have always found to be on the "bland" side of ride feel. I love my Viscount, and I loved the one I had back then (probably about 1978 or 79), but I switched forks on both and like what that did for handling. This new one has an very short clearance CF fork with 44 or 43 mm rake. I really think the 700c size forks lower the head tube, steepen the angle just a touch, and change the steering and trail in a very good way. Lastly, is it hilly where you live? I'd love to know how each bike handles a swift, curvy descent, I'll bet there's a lot of difference, bike to bike. Remember, the Cannondale now belongs to your son. YOU only have 7 road bikes and 1 MTN. No need to be hasty.  Best regards, Frank |
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Post by vtchuck on Jun 15, 2015 21:02:23 GMT
Well, I took a look at your flickr link, and I'm impressed. Good photos, as well as very nice bikes. I wholeheartedly agree about the Falcon, what a wonderful keeper of a bike that is. I'm interested in your comments on the other bikes compared to these. How the Look compares to the LeMond, and also your evaluation of the Treks, which I have always found to be on the "bland" side of ride feel. I love my Viscount, and I loved the one I had back then (probably about 1978 or 79), but I switched forks on both and like what that did for handling. This new one has an very short clearance CF fork with 44 or 43 mm rake. I really think the 700c size forks lower the head tube, steepen the angle just a touch, and change the steering and trail in a very good way. Lastly, is it hilly where you live? I'd love to know how each bike handles a swift, curvy descent, I'll bet there's a lot of difference, bike to bike. Remember, the Cannondale now belongs to your son. YOU only have 7 road bikes and 1 MTN. No need to be hasty. Best regards, Frank Thanks Frank. First... I live in Vermont, the "Green Mountain State". The Green Mountains run up the the "spine" of the state from south to north. We are famous for skiing, diary farming, craft breweries and brilliant fall foliage. Sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of the US, but our mountains are older and more modest than the Alps. In my old age I tend to ride north-south routes that generally follow rivers and valleys and are mostly rolling. There are not a lot of flat rides in the state and certainly not in my area. My "review" of the bikes: The LOOK (64 cm) seems to me to ride more like a steel frame and it is a conventional lugged frame in almost every way except for the frame material. Not overly flexy or stiff. lighter than my steel bikes by 3 or 4 pounds The LeMond (61 cm) is very light... just under 20 lbs and it feels like it when climbing. Back end is very stiff and each pedal stroke seems to go to forward motion rather than flex. Ride does not seem overly jarring, but I'll need more miles to assess that. The Romic (24.5")is a US made frame, custom made for me in '77. Full DB Champion #1 tubing and a conventional 73 degree road frame. Simply a classic road bike that rides like a charm after nearly 40 years. Builder often said he was building bikes, not jewelry, so it lacks the paper thin lug work and fine finish of some bikes. Function over form. Trek 660 (25") is a frame I got in trade. Listed as a criterium model with full DB True Temper Team tubing. As far as I can tell, this was the last year ('89) Trek made a steel road frame... although they continued to make steel touring frames. My everyday bike... the one I choose when I just need to pump the tires and go. Smooth, stable and predictable. Even with a set of pretty heavy set of touring wheels, it weighs about a pound less than my other steel frames. Trek 1400 all aluminum is my pretty bike, but it may be a bit small at 24". I've added a taller Nitto stem and that might be enough to make me feel more comfortable on the bike. It's lighter by about 1 - 1.5 pounds over my steel frames. I enjoy looking at it more than riding it. I really enjoyed building up my Viscount, sourcing original parts, etc. as it brought back memories of my first "real" bike, a Lambert. And I love looking at it.... a really unique bike. But so far, the riding experience is just not there for me. I am 40 years older, pounds heavier and less fit.... maybe both of us have failed to aged gracefully. I probably would not be able to break even, if I chose to "flip" it. Hate to see it hang there, when someone might be able to ride and enjoy it. Cheers |
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Post by 54roadie on Jun 16, 2015 20:08:21 GMT
Thank you!
Have you actually weighed them? Was it you who commented on how bikes that felt lighter or heavier turned out to be different on the scale?
I'll bet you've just had way too much fun with the Cannondale and LeMond. Enjoy them all, in rotation, and since it seems your son is about your height, you two can switch bikes every ride and the fun will never end.
Frank
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