Road Cycling - Lemond Zurich Questions

Have any vast changes been made since 2001(my favorite color scheme) to warrant the extra $800 it costs for a '03?

I've been focused on the Tourmalet since it is more in my price range but I really desire the Zurich and I've been able to find '01 and '02 models for the same price as a new Tourmalet.


I'm a newbie so expect more questions. This will be my first bike since I was a child(I'm 22).

Somewhere between 2000 and 2002,lemond changed the Zurich frame from a mix of 853 /525 steel to all 853, and also possibly added some ovalization to the downtube at the BB.The all 853 frames may be a bit lighter and be a bit more stout for the big heavy rider, but for most it's a non issue.The latest models may have Bontrager knockoff wheels rather than the Rolfs of earliers ones. I'd go for an older Zurich.

Thanks.

Yeah, I'm only 5'9" 150-160lbs. so I won't really be punishing the frame in that manner.

I may be wrong here but I was informed not too long ago that Reynolds didn't make the seatstays and/or the chainstays in the 853 tubeset.

Please be kind to correct me if the information I received was wrong.

Sorry, I answered my question. Seems just very recently Reynolds is making the rear end in 853 as well.

Originally posted by Xavier
I may be wrong here but I was informed not too long ago that Reynolds didn't make the seatstays and/or the chainstays in the 853 tubeset.

Please be kind to correct me if the information I received was wrong. Big rubarb here a short time ago over a silmilar issue. An owner of a current 853 pro(zurich) frame got confirmation from someone at lemond that it was all 853.Other people in the not too distant past have gotten different info from Lemond on the same issue regarding the 853 Pro tubeset, with some claiming lemond saying it was 853/525. I wonder if they really know? In actual pratice it likely makes little or no real difference.In 97, Some lemonds were True Temper steel, others Reynolds.In 98, the catalogue says they were all Reynolds with some being mixes of 853/525 and others all 525. current stuff is allegedly all Reynolds.

Well it happens alot. Many companies pass wrong information and most shops have no idea on what tubes are and simply make it worse.

Sadly those that know and work in the industry do not post or clear issues up in such forumns publicly in fear of flames from anonymous posters.

853 didn't make a rear end until recently. Funny this got brough up as days before I was discussing same issue with a friend from the industry and how people were claiming the opposite.

Either way some companies mix and match tubesets w/o disclosing the information.

I always get in trouble when I try to inform/educate consumers and many think they know more that me. That is why most people do not put their time to answer such concerns. I do and put my name on it.

Originally posted by Xavier
[B

853 didn't make a rear end until recently. Funny this got brough up as days before I was discussing same issue with a friend from the industry and how people were claiming the opposite.

[/B] Interesting.....Maybe that explains why Waterford was sticking True Temper stays on their otherwise 853 frames and IF was using Foco stays on theirs.

Consider an '02 Buenos Aires? Frame is 853 (although not as "shaped" as Zurich frame) and mostly Ultegra components. Not sure of the price savings from Zurich to Buenos Aires.

I was just going to pose a question about the Buenos Aires.

I read somewhere that it's the same bike as a Zurich only with 105 components. Is this true?

go to the LeMond website, there is geometry information on all of their bikes.

PS I love my Zurich

Originally posted by Torzwei
I was just going to pose a question about the Buenos Aires.

I read somewhere that it's the same bike as a Zurich only with 105 components. Is this true?


The following is direct from the Lemond web site:


Buenos Aires = Reynolds 853 designer select double butted steel alloy

Zurich = Reynolds 853 pro double butted steel alloy

Reynolds 853 pro is air-hardened as it gets stronger where the welding heat touches it, at the joints, where the most strength belongs. The new 853 Pro is shaped, ovalized at the ends, to focus still more strength precisely where it's needed

Reynolds 853 Select Steel. A Select bike's main triangle is a mix of round tubed 853, the famous air-hardened tube that actually grows stronger when welded, and Reynolds 525.

Originally posted by Torzwei
I was just going to pose a question about the Buenos Aires.

I read somewhere that it's the same bike as a Zurich only with 105 components. Is this true?

I believe that as of '02, the Buenos Aires is mostly Ultegra and the Zurich is all Ultegra. I have the '01 BA with all 105, before the upgrade and a corresponding price increase in the local shops in my neighborhood.

BTW, for a new rider like me (just completing my third year), the BA is a nice bike.

As someone stated the BA is not all 853 and is not all Ultegra. It is all Ultegra but the BB and the main triangle is 853.

The BA and Zurich are both great bikes.

But I Love My Zurich.

Also the Zurich is about 3 lbs lighter than the BA if that makes any difference to you.

The only difference in the 02 and the 03 that I can tell is the paint job. I really think the 03 paint is sharp but I will keep my 02.

How do the Bontragers compare to the Rolfs?

I can't speak for Rolf's but I have no complaints at all on my Bontrager Race Lights.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gabiker
Also the Zurich is about 3 lbs lighter than the BA if that makes any difference to you.

Three pounds? Can there possibly be that much weight savings? Ultegra versus 105 and some butted tube shaping make that much difference? Wow!

I am sure the wheels and hubs are part of the difference but if you weight them that is about what the difference will be.