Road Cycling - gearing for lemond zurich

I just purchased a used lemond zurich, red/white, which i guess means it is a 1998. It has the dual crankset with 12-23 rear cassete. I'd like to get lower range gearing on it, and my question is whether i should go for the triple crankset, or try the max rear cassette, which i believe is a 27 tooth. thanks for the help.. what a nice bike!

Welcome to the forums! :) That is a sweet bike, I wanted the nearly-identical Schwinn Peleton at the time.

I can't remember if the Shimano 9sp STI shifters from that time had the necessary third detent to run a triple crank. You might want to investigate that by unbolting the cable stop from the downtube (to make the cable slack temporarily) and running the shifter through its detents while applying a little traction to the cable. Even if the shifter does have three chainring positions, converting to triple will cost a lot more than just trying the 27T cassette and a new chain, since you would need a new crankset, new bottom bracket, new derailleurs and perhaps a new left-side shift/brake lever. I know today's Ultegra 9sp has three detents but you will want to check your older one.

Mathematically, the 27T cassette will lower your bottom gear by about 17%. Alternately, using your existing 23T cassette with the 30-42-52 triple crankset would give you a 30% lower low gear as compared to a 39-53 double crankset.

If it's got 9 speeds in the rear, or your shifters say 'Ultegra' on them,your front shifter will handle a double or triple chainring.If 8 speeds in the rear and the shifters say shimano 600 the front will only handle a double. Max large cog for 8 speed was 26 teeth, and max large 9 speed cog is 27 teeth.

From your description, I believe you may have a '97 Zurich. The '97 model had chrome stays and was red with white panels. If memory serves, the '98 model was white with red panels and painted stays. Both are beautiful- the '97 is near the top of my all-time classiest looking bikes list.

Assuming you have the Zurich's original Ultegra 52/39 rings and 12-23 cassette, your current lowest gear is a 46-inch. Going to a 27t sprocket will yield a lowest gear of 39". However, a triple 52/39/30 tooth triple crank setup with your current 23t cog gives you a 35" low gear.

So... If you anticipate dealing with some real killer climbs, the triple crank with a 30t small ring is probably the best way to go. The downside is, you'll probably need to change the bottom bracket to maintain a reasonable chain line, and you will need a higher capacity front derailleur and a longer chain (or add a few links to yours if it's in reasonably good condition. Your existing rear derailleur should work OK with the triple, unless you want to go to bigger cogs as well (like the 27t).

Hope I haven't further muddied the waters here. Whatever you decide to do, you've got a really nice bike in the Zurich!

Originally posted by roadster
... you will need a higher capacity front derailleur and a longer chain (or add a few links to yours if it's in reasonably good condition. Your existing rear derailleur should work OK with the triple, unless you want to go to bigger cogs as well (like the 27t).

You may not need a new front derailleur. I have successfully used a Dura Ace fr. der. with a Campy Racing-T for several years. Of course, it may be that the Campy Record 9-speed shifters I use are more tolerant than Shimano. Being a Campy aficionado (aka snob :) ), I have no experience with other Shimano components. (In fact, I can't remember now why I even have a Dura-Ace derailleur and not a Campy one). :confused:

I have a 2002 Zurich with a 53/39 and a 27 rear that I just purchased. It was a dealer demo so I didn't have the flexiblility of getting the triple. I was told in order to go to a triple I would need to change the BB, Crankset, Rear and front Deraileur.

If you look at Shimano's site you'll see they list both der for a double or triple the rear be a long cage. I am going to do some riding in the mountains soon to see if I can cut it before I do anything but so far I have been ok on the normal hills we ride.

It is quite an expensive conversion, but if you got a good deal on the bike it might be worth it. I could still do it and come out several hundred dollars ahead of what I would have been at with a new one.

By the way they are sweet, sweet rides aren't they? :beer: