LeMond is promising "transformative change" to carbon construction with all new 8 road bike

LeMond has unveiled its new 8 performance road bike which it says represents “a new bar for top-tier frame design and manufacture” thanks to the composites technology and expertise used. The US-made frame and fork are entirely carbon-fibre down to the threads for the bottle cages and brakes.

Greg LeMond has been promising performance road bikes using new carbon processes for years and has developed a new carbon fibre production facility in Tennessee, USA. Although the LeMond 8 hasn’t been officially launched yet, details are available online. 

LeMond confirms new bike line is on the way 

“The LeMond 8 MatrixCore blends composite sandwich construction methods from the aerospace industry using a new ultra-lightweight dual expanding foam made by Xenecore,” says LeMond. 

“The Xenecore dual expanding foam stays inside the frame and fork for superior carbon fibre ply consolidation. This foam replaces the need for plastic and pneumatic bladders, and has the added comfort benefit of damping vibration that may otherwise drain a rider’s energy.”

LeMond says that it “optimises the Xenecore foam by locally incorporating internal carbon fibre reinforced truss structures to increase strength, durability, and stiffness where desired”. 

It claims that this allows it to produce frames that are among the strongest and safest in the world.

LeMond also says that its composites expertise allows it to incorporate innovative engineering that improves the final product. 

“With LeMond’s ability to create internal structures along load paths that make sense, less overall fibre may be used, resulting in a lighter, stronger frame than is possible with traditional techniques,” it says.

The LeMond 8 frame and fork are made entirely from carbon fibre right down to details which are usually made from other materials.

“Each threaded water bottle and brake boss is carbon fibre – lighter, stronger, while also preventing any possible galvanic oxidation of the aluminium parts, making them prone to failure,” it says.

LeMond has chosen to use a T47 threaded bottom bracket rather than a press-fit design, fitted into a BB shell that uses what it calls a carbon-fibre lattice construction technique.

“This ultra-strong web-like cylinder is co-cured into the frame for a unibody construction with immense lateral stiffness, [providing] all the benefits of a threaded BB without the weight penalty,” says LeMond. 

The LeMond 8 can be fitted with the brand’s integrated carbon fibre handlebar/stem or with a standard LeMond carbon fibre handlebar. 

“Multiple reach, width, and grip size dimensions are available, with a subtle 5-degree flare, fully integrated cables, spacers up to 30mm, and a computer mount that fits flush to the underside of the bar,” says LeMond.

The inside of the fork steerer features full-length structural ribs with internal threads that the headset top cap can be tightened against so there’s no need for an expander wedge. It looks like Xenecore foam is used in this area. The steerer can still be cut down in the normal way to adjust handlebar height.

Speaking of fit, the LeMond 8 uses a dedicated seatpost clamp system that locks into a channel at the rear of the post. LeMond says that this design spreads the clamping load over 66mm of post to minimise the possibility of damage.

The channel will also be able to accept LED lights, saddlebags, and other accessories when released.

The LeMond 8 has clearance for tyres up to 32mm wide with three Vittoria Corsa models available at purchase in 25mm, 28mm, and 30mm widths. It comes with a replaceable direct-mount derailleur hanger that’s made from – you’ll never guess – carbon fibre.

In terms of drag, LeMond says, “The LeMond 8 incorporates aerodynamic forms such as a Kamm tail down tube with rounded edges and a head tube narrower than most with internal cable routing.

“The LeMond 8 system has been optimised for slicing cleanly through the wind, with fully integrated cables and a slim front profile. Rather than having to choose between lightweight and aero, Greg’s goal has always been to optimise one bike for both climbing and riding at high speed without compromise.”

LeMond doesn’t, though, at this stage offer any data comparing the 8’s aero efficiency with that of any other bikes.

The LeMond 8 is available in eight different sizes from 47cm to 62cm.

LeMond hasn’t supplied top tube or head tube lengths but the 56cm model, for example, comes with a stack of 571mm and a reach of 390mm. That gives a stack/reach of 1.46. That doesn’t suggest a ride position that’s especially aggressive or particularly relaxed, sitting about midway between Trek’s H1.5 and H2 fits, if you’re familiar with those.

The complete bike build is:

Frameset LeMond 8 carbon fibre MatrixCore 
Cockpit option 1 LeMond aero monocoque bar/stem
Cockpit option 2 LeMond carbon fibre stem and handlebar
Front derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace FD-R9250
Rear derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace RD-R9250
Chainset Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9200 52/36T
Cassette Shimano Dura-Ace CS-R9200-12 11-30T
Chain Shimano XTR CN-M9100
Bottom bracket T47 threaded
Brake levers Shimano Dura-Ace ST-R9270 hydraulic
Brake callipers Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270 hydraulic
Rotors Shimano RT-MT900
Saddle Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive
Rims LeMond LC 47 Tubeless 
Front hub Tune KillHill CL 100x12mm
Rear hub Tune ClimbHill CL 142x12mm
Spokes Sapim bladed
Tyre option 1 Vittoria Corsa 700c x 25mm
Tyre option 2 Vittoria Corsa Control 700c x 28mm
Tyre option 3 Vittoria Corsa Control 700c x 30mm

This build is priced £11,400.

A frame/fork, handlebar/stem, seatpost and wheelset is £7,800. The LeMond 8 frameset is for electronic shifting only.

These prices include VAT. No weights have been published for the complete bikes or the frame.

LeMond 8 deliveries are expected to begin in July 2022, just after Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets are scheduled to arrive.

Along with the bike, you get membership of Team LeMond.

“As a Team LeMond member, you will have exclusive access to annual private rides with Greg and his team, in Europe and the USA, free entry into cycling events, and early access to new products that LeMond is developing, even helping us to evaluate and test new products,” says LeMond.

“In addition, Team LeMond members will receive annual cycling kits, including jerseys, shorts, and socks, and quarterly ‘Town Hall’ talks with Greg via Zoom.”

Team LeMond members are also entitled to 50% discount on all LeMond carbon fibre manufactured framesets, wheelsets, and new carbon fibre components that it plans to develop over the next 3-4 years.

This includes a LeMond 8 Aero Gravel Frame which we’ve not heard about previously.

The LeMond 8’s name, if you haven’t guessed, is a reference to Greg LeMond’s winning margin in seconds in the 1989 Tour de France. LeMond opted to use aerobars – innovative technology at the time – on the final stage time trial to wrestle victory from Laurent Fignon.

For more info go to lemond.com