Road Cycling - Lemond or Cannondale?

I am in the hunt for a new bike. Bought an entry level Cannondale R400 serveral months ago just to see if I would like to get into the sport. Now looking to upgrade. I am 43 y/o and at this point not a good climber (live in the foothills of Appalachians). Want to be able to work up to a century for fun not race but getting over the mountains is very important to me. Test rode a Lemond Buenos Aires and the LBS said I would like the Zurich even better (didnt have one in stock). He said it weighed in at 16 lbs but I dont think I believe him. Other bike I would consider is a Cannondale R2000 with full Ultegra. I think it would be lighter and more able to climb? Any thought between the Zurich and R2000 (or if you have other ideas for a good bike under $2,500 would be greatly appreciated). One other thing, the LBS says he would sell me the Lemond Arrivee' fully titanium road bike for $2,200. Anyone here ever rode one of those? I am afraid to order one given that I have never ridden one. Thanks for any advice you all might have!

You REALLY dont want my opinion :D

Get the LeMond.

Much will depend on the fit of the bike for your body. Typically, the Lemond is sold more to those with shorter legs and a longer body, as the top tube is longer.

But, you couldn't go wrong with either, if they fit you well. Nice to have such great choices!

WhiteMax - you are heading into the 'sweet spot' of road bicycling after only 4 months in the sport. Way to go. It took me 10 years to upgrade into Ultegra based bikes (IMO, the 'sweet spot' for performance and value). I road an old, stiff Cannondale for 10 years with low end components, but have now switched to a 853 steel frame / carbon fork with Ultegra components. Much better. I have an Aluminum Touring bike as a back-up for commuting and bad weather days. I would consider the Lemond Zurich or the Ti assuming you get a good fit. As mentioned, Lemonds have long top tubes. I am 5'10 with a short torso and long legs and a 57cm Lemond stretched me out too much. If you keep your R400 as a back-up beater bike, trainer, or commuter, you can baby a new higher end ride for better days and faster rides. I am also a fan of double cranks, especially with Ultegra. It shifts so nice. Triples have a wider Q-factor, are heavier, and have a mountain bike feel. If you need lower gearing, you can swap to a 12-27 rear cassette with a double. It will run about $ 35, and you might need a longer chain plus some labor. Maybe the LBS would be willing to swap out as part of the deal. Best of luck.

Hi,
take a deep breath, let it go. You don't need to rush this. You have your pick of a few THOUSAND different bikes, if you include used. I agree that the first consideration is fit. It sounds like you want a performance bike that is raceable; but not a full on race bike. You have so much to chose from. Take a look at the mid priced Ti bikes like the Airborne Valkyrie. Waterford makes a real sweet bike, full custom. Burley has gotten into making bikes recently, and they are worth a test ride. After you test ride a few, you will have a better idea what company's style works best for you. Defintely go for a triple, you won't need most of the time; but the day you do need it....it will help save your knees. I like Lemonds, except they give me a kink in my back after a while, YMMV. There must be a dozen really good Italian bike companies, I am kinda fond of DeRosa, but I have nothiong bad to say about any of them. Try to learn about the smaller companies,they make some of the best bikes, they just don't do much advertising..... Pieragotti,Waterford,Serotta, DeRosa,and on and on. Each brings a unique vison about what a bike should be. We're talking art and engineering that doesn't have to bend to lawyers and mass production.

Whitemax-
If budget isn't a major concern, by all means try the Zurich and see if you can tell any difference between it and the Buenos Aires (the bottom bracket, front derailleur and brakes are Ultegra instead of 105 on the Zurich - only component upgrades, IIRC. My wife's trainer, who's a pro bike racer, put it: "upgrades where it doesn't really matter, except to add another pricepoint for another model").

I have the Buenos Aires and love it.

Whatever you get, make sure you test-ride one first, so you know the feel and fit is good. As late wrote, no need to rush - take your time to make an informed decision. OTOH, if you really like the LBS and they'll work with you, then you might want to focus on the lines that they carry and will service and support, because that's a big part of making sure the bike fits you properly upfront, and their service and support will help give you years of relatively trouble-free riding.

I am in the hunt for a new bike. Bought an entry level Cannondale R400 serveral months ago just to see if I would like to get into the sport. Now looking to upgrade. I am 43 y/o and at this point not a good climber (live in the foothills of Appalachians). Want to be able to work up to a century for fun not race but getting over the mountains is very important to me. Test rode a Lemond Buenos Aires and the LBS said I would like the Zurich even better (didnt have one in stock). He said it weighed in at 16 lbs but I dont think I believe him. Other bike I would consider is a Cannondale R2000 with full Ultegra. I think it would be lighter and more able to climb? Any thought between the Zurich and R2000 (or if you have other ideas for a good bike under $2,500 would be greatly appreciated). One other thing, the LBS says he would sell me the Lemond Arrivee' fully titanium road bike for $2,200. Anyone here ever rode one of those? I am afraid to order one given that I have never ridden one. Thanks for any advice you all might have!

This is a loaded post! There are many factors to look at when upgrading a bike. My Trek 5500 is a perfect climbing bike, but so is an R400 with a triple crankset, and a wide range of gearing. A wheelset (as opposed to shifters, ders, brakes) is a significant upgrade, as tougher, aluminum spokes give a rigid ride. But please don't but a bike without a test ride. You need to know how it feels.
There's always the option to lose a few pounds off the body to help get over those hills! (Within reason, of course).

Hmm....your talking about two very different bikes. First, the guy is not telling the truth about the weight of the Lemond. It's somewhere in the 19+ range, not 16lbs!!!

The new Lemonds blend the feel of steel with the lighter weight of carbon....sort of. They weight of the frames only dropped .3lbs according to Lemond (new carbon/steel frames weigh 3lbs, older 853 Pro frames 3.3lbs) The big downside is that they raised the price about $350 to pay for this "upgrade" and lowered the quality of the wheelset. What this leaves you with is a bike that really doesn't weigh much (if any) less then a full steel bike, rides like a full steel bike, yet costs $350 more. IMO this doesn't make it a good buy unless you really like the look of the bike or want it for some other non-performance based reason.

I would choose the C-dale over the new Lemonds personally, but that may be a little too harsh of a ride for you. You could also look at the Trek 2200 or 2300, I liked them enough that I ordered a 2200 for my bike this year. That all being said though, it sounds like what you could really use is a full steel frame with Ultegra. Something in 853 or True Temper OX Platinum. It would give a nice, comfortable ride that will be great on those centuries, it won't be the lightest thing out there but it will be plenty light for a non-racer and you'll appreciate the added comfort on the longer rides. Plus, you should be able to afford nicer spec (especially in the wheels) by saving money on the frame compared to the Lemond.

The Lemonds are nice bikes, I just don't think they makes sense for most people.

Lemond....... and if you can afford the Ti, go for it.

With a $2,500 price limit, you can also test ride full carbon fiber bikes. Trek has a 5000 model that is mostly Ultegra, with a 105 front derailleur. The wheels are the next step down from the ones on the Zurich. It was $2,029 at a LBS the other day, with a double crank. Don't forget to test some Giant TCR bikes.

My LBS quotes me a price of $1,900 for the Zurich (is that about right?). He has the Giant TCR carbon with Ultegra for $2,500 and won't budge on the price. Is there a place on the net that will give me a quote as to what the retail prices are? Thanks for all your comments!

The '04 Zurich lists for ~$2200, so you're getting a good price (the '04 Buenos Aires lists for ~$1900 - both assuming a triple).

Sounds like you've got some good choices.
If it's between the R2000 and the 04 Zurich, you're really down to frame material and geometry.
The R2000 frame is a little lighter and is equipped with Ksyrium SL wheels.
The Zurich is cool too. I'd look for the all steel 03 however, it might last alot longer than that weird carbon hybrid 04.
Personally, I'd go for the Cannondale. That new R2000 is sweet!

I'll say it too: fit is key here. Two very different philosophies about how a bike should fit. If I were you, though, I'd broaden my search at this point instead of narrowing it. I'd also find an Orbea dealer.

The '04 Zurich lists for ~$2200, so you're getting a good price (the '04 Buenos Aires lists for ~$1900 - both assuming a triple).
Wow! When i was thinking of getting an 03,here they had them for $1619.

Wow! When i was thinking of getting an 03,here they had them for $1619.

The '04s are about $250 more list than the '03s, IIRC - and of course LBSes have been discounting the '03s since the '04s started arriving, so there are better deals on last year's models. (Probably can get an '03 Zurich for less than the '04 Buenos Aires, for example.)

I just bought a 2003 buenos aries for 1275. I think that is a good price?

That's a very good price. Congrats.

LEMOND!!

Just the unashamed opinnion of a new Beunos Aris (2003) owner!!

The bike floats!! Like what I have read "Steel is real".

Unless you are interested in the LATEST thing and want/need Dura Ace, you may want to consider the Benos Aris. If the wheels (Bontreger Select) aren't up to your desire the LBS will most likely upgrade to the Race X or Kyserium for a few $$.

I got the double because I have fantacies of racing!! I have a Specalized Sirrus Comp (modified to road position) if I need a mountain goat!!

Bill

so the BA isn't good in hilly terrian? I hope it is cause thats what i bought and i plan on doing some canyon riding.

My BA is a HUGE improvement over my hybrid for hill climbing - and both are triples. (The double may be much more limiting for steeper climbing, at least - which is what wlevey was referencing, I think.)

NO! It is fine!! I was just commenting on having something that will let me walk up the side of a clif!!

I LOVE the BA and the ride is a dream!!

Riding the double with 53/39 is much different than riding the triple with 48/36/26!! The latter will walk up a wall, but it is much slower doing it. I can't keep up with my racing buddies with the Sirrus at all. Once the weather clears up and I get off the trainer and out with the guys we will see if the BA makes a difference in that department. I hate snow!!

Bill

I have an '03 Zurich - paid $1630 at LBS.

The ride is amazing!!! Originally, I had planned on riding this bike for a few years and upgrading to a Lemond ti frame, but I like this frame so much that I upgraded to DA 10sp and now she is SNAPPY fast! I guess you could say I am building my "dream bike" on this frame. BTW, I botched my decals (bonehead) and LeMond repainted the frame for free. They (trek, actually) stand behind their warranty. You won't dissapointed with the Lemond. Of course, my bro will tell you the same aboutr his very nice Cannondale R1000 : )

wlevey,

I just moved back to N. GA from Parkton, MD and have a 02 Zurich and as you know there are some healthy hills in that area. The Zurich climbs great as long as you have the engine to drive it with a double. The BA does just as good and the nice thing about it if you don't have the engine keep climbing those hills and you will soon. Or be dead.... :-) I started off with a Sirrus as well, but I sold it and wish I didn't.

Just keep riding...

Philli,
Steel is real...


NO! It is fine!! I was just commenting on having something that will let me walk up the side of a clif!!

I LOVE the BA and the ride is a dream!!

Riding the double with 53/39 is much different than riding the triple with 48/36/26!! The latter will walk up a wall, but it is much slower doing it. I can't keep up with my racing buddies with the Sirrus at all. Once the weather clears up and I get off the trainer and out with the guys we will see if the BA makes a difference in that department. I hate snow!!

Bill