Bicycle Mechanics - Lemond Zurich Modification

I have a very nice 2000 Lemond Zurich with full Ultegra group. It is a triple crankset. I am considering converting it to Campy and I've come across a complete Chorus 8-speed group from mid 90's for sale. What do I need to be concerned with relative to dimensions, etc. to make sure that this group will be compatible with the bike. I am anticipating a complete tear down and build up. I am new to this and I don't want to make a purchasing mistake so any and all guidance will be much appreciated!

The group, if it's complete, will be compatible with your frame but I think buying an 8-speed group is a mistake. Campy's 8-speed groups are orphans and Campy is not supporting them at all. Replacement and wear parts are getting difficult (and expensive) to find.

Thanks, HillRider...The group is not complete. It does not include brakes. It does include a Chorus and a Record cassette, a Scirocco 20 wheelset with tires, a 3TTT handlebar and stem and the asking price is $500, would that make you more seriously consider it? Is that a good price? The condition appears to be good. The list is below.

Campagnolo Scirocco bladed 20 spoke wheelset
Campagnolo hubs with skewers (repacked and cleaned the bearing surfaces)
170mm Chorus crankset 53/39
36x24tpi Italian cartridge Chorus bottom bracket
Braze on Chorus front derailleur
Chorus 8 speed rear derailleur
Campagnolo Chorus? 8 speed cassette 13,14,15,17,19,21,23,26
Shimano chain (works, but should be replaced)
Chorus 8 speed Ergo Shifters
3T (ttt) 41cm blue drop bar
3T (ttt) stem
Cinelli black cork tape
Campagnolo Record 8 speed cassette 11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21
Look Carbon Keo pedals (there is play in the spindles)
Brake housing/cables
Derailleur housing/cables
Serfas Seca RS 700c x 23 folding tires in good shape (long lasting puncture resistant tires)

The missing brakes are a non-issue as any make brakes will work with the Campy levers.

The included cassettes, unless they are NIB, may not be a bargain at all. If they are used, who knows how worn they are and they may not match up with any new chain.

The included Italian threaded bottom bracket won't fit your frame which is English threaded so plan on locating (and paying for) a new one.

Are the bars and stem the right width and length for you?

Again, 8-speed Campy is an orphan and at $500 used, I'd definitely pass.

I loved my Y2K Zurich. It's a classic frame: red, white, blue and 853 (my only complaint would be the blue paint knicked like butter). I had the triple too, which for me is what I like, including the 9-speeds.

I can see you perhaps do not want a triple and maybe prefer a smaller, more closely spaced cluster. However, is the campy wheelset better than the Rolf Vector Comp?

I guess it seems like this idea is a little counter productive. I like the bike. I use it in the mountains, hence the triple. I'm not interested in changing the wheelset, it's just that a wheelset was included in this guy's package. And I agree with you on the thinness of the paint. If you look at it the wrong way it scratches into the undercoating.

My main motivation is to convert the bike to Campy. I have other Campy bikes and I just don't like the way the Shimano functions. It's not any one thing, just a combination of little things which produce a general dissatisfaction when compared with the Campy. I figured at the same time I would change the bike from a triple to a compact double if that were convenient. I am definitely going to pass on this deal as HillRider brought up several excellent points and also alerted me to other specific issues with any conversion (English threaded BB, orphan 8 speed Chorus, etc). Perhaps I'll sell the bike, although I do like the way it rides.

Thanks for all the input!

If you really like Campy Ergo brifters (I do too) consider buying just the brifters and using them with your otherwise all-Shimano bike. All Ergo's are double/triple compatible and all pre-QS Ergos and current QS Chorus and Record Ergos have "micro shifting" in front so they will work with any crank and front derailleur.

You can make the Shimano cassette and rear derailleur work with the Ergos' by using the appropriate Jtek Shiftmate.

I have pre-QS Record 10-speed Ergo brifters on an otherwise 9-speed Shimano bike using a triple Ultegra crank, 105 rear derailleur and a 9-speed Shimano cassette. I have the correct Shiftmate and it shifts every bit as well as my all-Campy bike.