Road Cycling - Bargin Zurich?

Now things are getting complicated. Late last season I decided to buy a new road bike. I settled on a Zurich. One thing led to another and by the time I was ready to move forward an 03 Zurich in my size was nowhere to be found. Then Lemond changed the bike in 04 to it's carbon spine design. Being a real fan of steel this didn't impress me. Rather than worry about it I decided to move forward on another front and revisit the road bike question later in the season. On this new front I'm looking to replace a Trek 520 touring bike that I've come to realize is too small for me. Today I drove to a dealer to test ride a new Trek 520 and what do they have? An 02 Zurich in my size for $1200. The bike is a new 02 leftover and looks great. Is this a good deal? Also, if I go for it, I remember most Zurich owners complaining about the seat. I'm a real function over form kinda guy, what would be a comfortable replacement? The bike is going to be used for distance riding, not racing.

As an '03 Zurich owner, I don't have any problems with my stock seat. Perhaps you just need to break it in for a few weeks. Of course, you could always work a deal out with your LBS and swap it out for a saddle you know you like.

Good luck.

That sounds like a decent price. Probably 25-30% off original list, and over 45% less than the list price of the '04 (not apples to apples, I know, because of the frame material change).

My only problem with the "old" frame design is purely superficial: too damn many stickers and decals all over it.

Most steel fans love the 853 frame of the Zurich. Can't go wrong with all-Ultegra components either.

reynolds 853? ultegra? for $1200, nos? yep, i'd say it's a good deal.

On this new front I'm looking to replace a Trek 520 touring bike that I've come to realize is too small for me.

So... how big exactly is that too-small 520? Not that I'm shopping or anything... ;)

-chris

That frame now sells for $1300 - GO FOR IT!!

Buy the bike because 90% of dont like the seats that came on our bikes.Thats a deal you dont want to pass on,go now.

So... how big exactly is that too-small 520? Not that I'm shopping or anything... ;)

-chris

Chris, my 520 has a 23 inch frame which works out to be about 58cm. This is pretty close to what a 6' 2" rider like myself should need. However, the 520 has a shorter top tube than a comparably sized race geometry bike. Once I realized the bike was too short for me I went the longer stem route. Still no go due to my longer than average torso. So now I'm buying either a 25" 520 or a 60cm Klein Navigator.
If you are shopping for a touring bike the Trek 520 gets extremely high marks with a few mods. If you are looking for a comfortable everyday bike or a bike to ride long distances it's also a great way to go. In the performance category it's not going to take your breath away and the go fast boyz will look down their noses at you but at the end of a long day it gets the job done nicely. Just be aware that seat tube length is less important than top tube length when sizing.

As a '99 Zurich owner, I say, "Got for it!" You will not regret it.

I am also a '99 Zurich owner. I think $1,200 for a NOS '02 is a good deal.


My only problem with the "old" frame design is purely superficial: too damn many stickers and decals all over it.

Gee, you think! I think mine as about 20 logos plastered about. From any angle I can tell the bike is a LeMond (at least 3 times emphasized from any viewpoint) and made by Reynolds. Ok, already, I got it!

That frame now sells for $1300 - GO FOR IT!!

I paid $1400 for an NOS '02 Zurich, last year, and was really happy with the deal. And on an absolute superficial note, the '02 paint job--in my opinion--looks so much better than the '03.

Thats for sure,way better.