User Guide

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improves the opposition of your hands to the
force of your legs.
In order to allow the saddle to be moved
back further, the seat angle must be more
laid back. As an extra benefit, moving the
seat back tends to flatten your back, so after
you’ve crossed the col you can decrease your
aerodynamic drag on the downhill.
Does it take a special body type to ride a
bike with LeMond geometry?
From the previous discussion it should be
apparent that unless you require a very for-
ward saddle position, you should be able to
ride a LeMond. Those who want to ride in
a more forward attitude also have the option
of using a zero-setback seatpost. You’ll still
get all the other LeMond benefits discussed
here.
What about the ‘LeMond position’?
It’s true that Greg used a very long posi-
tion from the saddle to the handlebars. If
you move your center of gravity relative to
the wheels, it changes the way the bike han-
dles. Greg’s long, laid out position allowed
him to achieve good pedaling opposition yet
maintain optimum weight distribution on
the bike for handling those fast downhill
corners. The resulting aerodynamic benefits
were an added bonus.
LeMond geometry summary
The benefits of LeMond geometry are really
threefold. First, LeMond bikes are built to be
comfortable so you expend less energy as you
pedal. Second, they allow a more rearward
position that adds climbing power. Last, they
handle really well; when put into a corner
they are solid and predictable at high speeds,
and a synergy between you and your bike
(some call it a feeling of ‘one-ness’ with
the bike) means LeMond bikes don’t require
extra vigilance as you ride.