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About Greg LeMond Racing Cycles - what they say...

Every year, new winners. That's the nature of cycling, the nature of the sport. Not that all winners are equal; some matter more than others. Their impact does not result from rivalries personal or national, nor from overcoming hardship. Some winners, a few, change their sport forever.

Greg LeMond changed cycling forever. During his professional career, cycling advanced more than it had in the previous 100 years. That was no coincidence. LeMond pushed for new development. He tried everything. His years at the front of the European peloton saw the advent of clipless pedals, aero wheels and position on the bike, hardshell helmets, cycling-specific eyewear, precision shifting systems and scientific training methods.

There might not be a U.S. Postal Service Cycling Team had it not been for Greg LeMond. The road to the top would have been harder for Bobby Julich and Lance Armstrong. Greg LeMond changed cycling forever. He made cycling forever better.

Geometry
LeMond Designed LeMond frame dimensions are purposely different from those of most production and custom bikes. LeMond seat tube angles are more relaxed (lower number of degrees) and LeMond top tubes are longer than "other brand" frames of similar size. Greg LeMond's preferences in this area were influenced by a study done by his first professional coach, Cyrille Guimard, in the late 1970's. The study examined road-bike body position for optimum bio-mechanical and aerodynamic efficiency.

Using adjustable bikes in a wind tunnel, testers measured power output, muscle effectiveness, heart rate, aerodynamics and comfort. The test generated valuable data on frame sizing, saddle height and body positioning in relationship to the bike's cranks and bottom bracket.

Testers concluded that it is more efficient to pedal from "behind" than in "front" of the crank center. The rider should sit far enough back so he or she can PUSH the pedals over the top and PULL them through the bottom of the stroke. Sitting behind the bottom bracket offers these benefits:

- As the rider pushes the pedal over the top, their heel will drop. This will put perpendicular pressure on the crank through the power segment of the stroke, generating optimal power.

- Because the rider's bottom is behind their feet, they can bend and stretch their torso forward easily. The bend makes for better aerodynamics and opens the rib cage for better breathing.

- Sitting back effectively uses all the upper leg muscle groups, including the gluteus muscles. A rider sitting further forward will overuse their quads (thigh muscles). Gluteus (rump) muscles are among the strongest in the body; Shame to waste them.

- The set-back seat and long top tube mean the rider's body weight will be balanced over the bike. Combine that balance with a LeMond Geometry head tube angle and fork rakeÅ Handling and cornering become more stable.

- A woman's femur is longer than a man's (in relation to inseam length), so a relaxed seat tube angle is an additional plus for a female. Many road bicycles do not facilitate a true balanced rider position. You sit back comfortably and naturally on a LeMond.

Try it. You should trust somebody. Trust Greg LeMond, who advanced road cycling more than any other champion. We build his ideas into each and every LeMond.

Article from http://www.lemondbikes.com, Property and Copyright© 2000 LeMond Racing Cycles. All rights reserved.