Road Cycling - Arrrggggghhhh!

Just when I thought I had finally decided on what bike to buy, something comes along and tosses a spanner into the works. My wife just told me that instead of gifts this year, everyone is going to give me money for my new bike.

I had just changed my mind about a week ago from the Trek 5200 to the LeMond Zurich. Now, with the added money I will be able to get the LeMond Victoire, either the classic all Ti or the Ti/CF.

I am not sure, now, that I want to spend that much on a bike. I ride every day, I enjoy the hell out of it, but it's like buying a Ferrari for a Toyota guy. I was even beginning to get the Buenos Aires instead of the Zurich because of this feeling.

ARRRGGHH!

I know, I know, some of you would like to have this problem, but....well, on second thought, it isn't that bad! I am going to end up with a darn fine bike no matter what I buy.

and I can certainly relate to it.

A few rationalizations that have worked for me:

1.) How much does the additional bike cost per annual mile ridden?

2.) How much is your health worth?

3.) You could be blowing the money on another, less positive, vice.

4.) You deserve it, obviously your family thinks so.

5.) and finally, no one laying on their deathbed, worries because they spent x dollars too much on a bike.

Enjoy both the journey, and the ride. (even if you are a republcan) LOL

Merry xmas.

Len

you could always buy the zurich -- great bike, great frame, great spec, not the greatest wheels in the world -- and put the extra money into a very sweet set of wheels, like ksyrium ssc sls. i'm not a huge fan of the bontrager race wheels, and i think that's the zurich's weakest point.

you could always buy the zurich -- great bike, great frame, great spec, not the greatest wheels in the world -- and put the extra money into a very sweet set of wheels, like ksyrium ssc sls. i'm not a huge fan of the bontrager race wheels, and i think that's the zurich's weakest point.
X lites are very good wheels.

X lites are very good wheels.
that might be the case, but the zurich comes with bontrager race wheels. you have to jump up to the maillot jaune to get the race lites, and the tete de course for the x lites.

get the ksyriums. best bang for buck and better wheels than the bontrager races. besides, you can always keep the bonties as a spare set.

TrekRider-
I have the new Buenos Aires and love it. It was at/near the top of my price range, however, so I didn't have your current dilemma. (Although I test-rode several other brand/frame-material bikes well above the BA pricepoint when I started shopping, but went with the best fit and ride, which is what the Buenos Aires gave me.)

The steel/carbon combo is a very sweet ride, IMO.

You could always use the extra $$ for an upgrade in clothing & accessories, unless you're already well-equipped, bike-gear-wise (wardrobe, cyclocomputer, etc.).

If you've got a LOT more money than before, why not get the cheaper Lemond and then get a second even cheaper bike, like a fixie? (Sorry, I'm hooked on this fixie thing right now, I'm trying to convert everyone :)

then get a second even cheaper bike, like a fixie? (Sorry, I'm hooked on this fixie thing right now, I'm trying to convert everyone :)

When I was a kid (like 55 years ago), all we had were "Fixies" (actually, single speeds, as they did have a freewheel). I learned to ride on one, and I don.'t understand all the fuss about going back to the darker ages.

Enlighten me!

Lemond changed things. The Zurich I bought in November 2003 came with Race Lite wheels. I say buy the bike you like the feel and ride of most, then use the extra money to outfit yourself/bike the way you want.

Really, spend as much as you can afford, you won't regret it. My Daddy always used to tell me,"You're never dissapointed with the very best." :D

Remember theese simple words, "The quality remains after the price is long forgotten."

And you wont be saying "if I only had...."

If you must get a LeMond, get the Lemond All-Ti. You'll sleep easy. Personally, I would recommend you hunt down a Colnago Ovalmaster. You'll never think of another bike again. It was made for you.(If you can live with the paint scheme) Just trying to confuse things.

I agree with Scooby, you should either get all Ti or all CF, so the Lemond and the Trek are both very good bikes and both have lifetime warranties.

and I can certainly relate to it.

A few rationalizations that have worked for me:

1.) How much does the additional bike cost per annual mile ridden?

2.) How much is your health worth?

3.) You could be blowing the money on another, less positive, vice.

4.) You deserve it, obviously your family thinks so.

5.) and finally, no one laying on their deathbed, worries because they spent x dollars too much on a bike.

Enjoy both the journey, and the ride. (even if you are a republcan) LOL

Merry xmas.

Len


ROFL! Excellent advice. Last year when I was lamenting how much I had spent on cycling accessories, my daughter asked "How much weight have you lost?" When I told her, she thought a minute, then said "You've only spent about $5 per pound!"

I agree with Scooby, you should either get all Ti or all CF, so the Lemond and the Trek are both very good bikes and both have lifetime warranties.

I had been thinking about test riding an all Ti bike to see how it rides as compared to the Zurich. I like the Lemond geometry, so a classic Arrivee or Victoire is a possibility.

The Zurich I test road was a 2004 model fit me like a glove. I will have to find out if the classics, which have a straight rather than sloping top tube, have the same fit and feel.

Dont get more then you need.I'd go for the 5200 or the Zurich,spend some extra and tweek them out and have a really nice bike.

Dont get more then you need.I'd go for the 5200 or the Zurich,spend some extra and tweek them out and have a really nice bike.

Very sound advice. Seeing as how I am also going to purchase new shoes, probably Sidi Genius 4's or similar, and 2004 Ultrega Pedals, and, being a clydesday, will consider different wheels, the Zurich - or all Ti Arrivee classic, which is about the same price - are where I will end up.

I will also be buying a new cyclocomputer, possibly the new Mavic one that works off the front wheel skewer. That will probably eat up all the extra money.

www.roadbikereview.com has ~20 reviews on the Colnago Ovalmaster, all written by clydesdales like yourself. Good reading.

www.roadbikereview.com has ~20 reviews on the Colnago Ovalmaster, all written by clydesdales like yourself. Good reading.

Thanks, Don. I have roadbikereview bookmarked, but I hadn't thought of checking out the Ovalmaster. I read a few of the reviews and it seems like to be Valhalla of bikedom. It is kind of intimidating that many of the reviewers said "too fast for me."

It is THE Clydesdale frame...if you can find one. This is the color I have:

[QUOTE=TrekRider]Just when I thought I had finally decided on what bike to buy, something comes along and tosses a spanner into the works. My wife just told me that instead of gifts this year, everyone is going to give me money for my new bike.

I had just


Funnily enough, I had a similiar "problem". I wanted to replace my 30 year old 10 speed and decided to do so on my 50th birthday last month. I based my choice of bikes on what I thought really made sense for the amount of riding that I do, and the budget I had. Got all psyched up, tested bikes and put a deposit on a Giant OCR2 with a pick up on my birthday. Now I knew I was going to get some $$ instead of presents because everyone heard I wanted a bike. Cool. So, I ordered and got the bike then.......actually got more than I expected from family and friends! So, I could have reached for the OCR1 with no significant out of pocket dollars. ARrghghhg! I second guessed that for several weeks until I sat down and looked at the real differences between the OCR1 and the OCR2. In the end, it amounts to components; Tiagra/105 vs 105/Ultegra. That's pretty much it. Same frame, etc. Smoother shifting? Probably. A little ego boost? Sure.

But for me, recreational weekend rider, I realized that for the actual ride, it wasn't going to matter anyway and I can always upgrade later on as need be.
I have the extra money earmarked for a jersey, maybe some nicer bike shorts.

Good luck. Happy Holidays!

Sheldon

I had been thinking about test riding an all Ti bike to see how it rides as compared to the Zurich. I like the Lemond geometry, so a classic Arrivee or Victoire is a possibility.

The Zurich I test road was a 2004 model fit me like a glove. I will have to find out if the classics, which have a straight rather than sloping top tube, have the same fit and feel.

You do have to test ride both styles to get a feel for the ride. In general the sloping tube will have a harsher ride because it's more of a racing geometry PLUS you will be leaned over more which means more of your body weight will be on your hands instead of your butt which will translate into less comfort as the miles go by.

The Victoire uses butted TI which will make the frame stronger yet lighter than the Arrivee-BUT it's also more expensive. But like we all mentioned before, if you can afford it get the best. Also the Victoire allows different paint colors and graphic combos including the TI look whereas the Arrivee is in only the TI look. SEE: http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/index.shtml and tab to "classics".

Now I'm jealous, that Victoire with red paint and yellow graphics, or yellow paint with red graphics, can't make up my mind, I would die for either!!

You do have to test ride both styles to get a feel for the ride. In general the sloping tube will have a harsher ride because it's more of a racing geometry PLUS you will be leaned over more which means more of your body weight will be on your hands instead of your butt which will translate into less comfort as the miles go by.

The Victoire uses butted TI which will make the frame stronger yet lighter than the Arrivee-BUT it's also more expensive. But like we all mentioned before, if you can afford it get the best. Also the Victoire allows different paint colors and graphic combos including the TI look whereas the Arrivee is in only the TI look. SEE: http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/index.shtml and tab to "classics".

Now I'm jealous, that Victoire with red paint and yellow graphics, or yellow paint with red graphics, can't make up my mind, I would die for either!!

I have the Lemond site bookmarked! I spend a lot of time there, cuztomizing Arrivee, Maillot Jaune, and Victoire bikes. I always end up way beyond my budget, but I can dream! I think I would easily squeeze a classic Victoire with Ultrega components out of my budget, but I'll have to test a full Ti bike first.

Am I obsessed? Naw, just dedica......avid.......okay, I am obsessed!