Lemond Alpe d'Huez, Cannondale CAAD9 105

rainking

I'm torn between these two for my next bike. Problem is, no-one as far as I can see has the Lemond in stock at all. (And certainly not in my size, which would be a 61.)

Does anyone have an Alpe d'Huez? I'm absolutely certain that the geometry would suit me down to the ground and I'm sure the frame is lovely, but my concern is the kit. Not having had a chance to ride anything, all I can compare to - via the splendidly inadequate 'lift it up in the shop' test - is the Trek 1.9, which has lighter groupset and wheels than the Alpe d'Huez but similar fork etc, and which felt frighteningly hefty compared to the Cannondale, which felt feathery light.

I was sold on the Cannondale (which I know will fit well enough and will be a wonderfully smooth ride - I had a CAAD5 a few years ago) after I saw that the compact version came with nicer wheels and cranks (and colours) than the non-compact - and was discounted. But a 63 in that particular flavour seems hard to come by, which has started me thinking again about the Lemond.

So, if anyone can rave or rant about the Lemond, please do... Particularly about the Race chainset , SSR wheels, or the rest of the finishing kit.

(As an aside, why is none of the Bontrager kit specced on the Treks and Lemonds on Bontrager's website? Or indeed anywhere? The catalogue shot for the Lemond shows a 105 chainset so I've no idea if the Bonty is black, silver, or what axle/BB it uses...)

Or of course if anyone knows a dealer with a 63cm CAAD9 in stock for around £1000...

bendertherobot

I can rave about my Lemond Zurich. But it's the one above (ish) what you're thinking of.

The finishing kit is probably the same. It's just a bog standard stem and bars. But nice and thick and really comfortable.

I have Ultegra whereas you'll get 105.

The Bonty tyres, post and wheels are very good indeed.

What is different is the geometry of it. I came from a Focus Variado Expert, prob not a million miles from the layout of the Cannondale. The ride of the Lemond (accepting it is carbon) is totally different. Massively more comfortable. I love it.