Lemond Tete De Course

Any one have one? Thoughts?

I really like Lemond road bikes. It’s too bad that Trek isn’t marketing them properly.

The Tete de Course is the top of the line. I assume you mean the new carbon version? I really liked the titanium/carbon version that they made from 2003-06.

I had one and absolutely hated it. It was a noodle. Luckily, the seatstay separated from the lower ti lug within a month. It took a lot of hassle dealing with customer service, but finally they replaced it. Unfortunately they made me pay the replacement frame cost even though my frame was brand new and the defect was their responsibility rather than misuse on my part. They even admitted that this was a regular problem they saw. Rather than fight an endless battle I just paid the fee, got the new frame, and promptly sold it on ebay for a big loss. I will NEVER ride a LeMond frame again.

You know what? Thinking about this pissed me off enough to dig up the pics so I can show everyone exactly why they should never buy one of the POS bikes. Most of these images are of the seatstay where it separated, but there is also one of the BB/seattube juncture where you can see the excess glue oozing out of the lug as well as the poor quality weld. This was the poorest quality, worst riding, most overpriced bike I have ever experienced and the customer service was a nightmare. If you buy this bike you can’t say you were not warned! :wink:

http://i8.tinypic.com/4ozi2ki.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/6hh5sb4.jpg

http://i10.tinypic.com/4uw9pa8.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/54apob7.jpg

Wow. That is not good. I had a steel/carbon version of the frame and thought it was a great road bike. Didn’t realize they had so many problems with the ti/cabon version.

He’s probably asking about the new carbon version. A good article on these frames here:

http://www.procyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=4096

Yea, I heard and saw quite a few come back with that very problem. Trek was fast and prompt with the warranty on all of them. No questions asked. Sorry to hear that you were getting hassled.

More opinions on the ti/carbon version here. Can’t find much on the new full carbon version.

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/lemond-bicycles/PRD_290566_5668crx.aspx