Road Cycling - It Finally Got Here!

I just took my first real ride on my new 2004 Lemond Zurich. There just are enough O's in the world to convey how smoooooooooth it is. The hardest part if figuring out the flite deck computer. This ride was only about 15 miles to familiarize myself with the Ultrega components, the brakes, new riding position, and the computer.

One thing I noticed riding home last night in the almost dark and today was with the same effort that put my Navigator at about 15mph, the Zurich goes at least 20mph. With almost no effort, I zoomed up hills at 15mph on the middle ring and middle cogs with no problem.

I just have to get used to the STI levers and clipping in and out. I haven't fallen yet, but I know it is coming. Both pedals, Dura-Ace, are at the lowest tension setting, but the left one is still very tight. The right one is easy to click out of, but in an emergency I am probably going to hit the ground.

My wife asked me how it was and I said the difference between a Navigator and a Zurich is like between a Pinto and a Ferrari!

Well, while I really don't HAVE to ride, man, I HAVE to RIDE!

Wait till you take it on a good jaunt!! The Navigator is a great bike for its purpose, but it ain't no Zurich on the street (classically understated)

Wait till you take it on a good jaunt!! The Navigator is a great bike for its purpose, but it ain't no Zurich on the street (classically understated)

I kind of overused my Navigator. It was designed for a 10 mile jaunt at most, and then around the neighborhood. I have ridden it on a metric century and a weekend was usally at least 40 miles per day. Clearly, it wasn't designed for that purpose. The 8,300+ miles I rode it took, its toll as I had to replace everything but the seat, brakes and derailleurs.

But, I am going to keep it for bad weather days when the fat tires will work better.

"But, I am going to keep it for bad weather days when the fat tires will work better."
We'll see. Sounds good, but after riding the Zurich you won't want to get on the Navigator. It will rain, you'll think "I don't want to wreck my new bike", so you get on the Navigator and that will be the last time for a long time. Your new philosphy will be, "I'll replace the parts on the Zurich that get damaged from the weather." Mine went from an unused winter bike to new goal of using it once or twice a year ride on crushed limestone rail-trails.

I just have to get used to the STI levers and clipping in and out. I haven't fallen yet, but I know it is coming. Both pedals, Dura-Ace, are at the lowest tension setting, but the left one is still very tight. The right one is easy to click out of, but in an emergency I am probably going to hit the ground.

Give it a couple good rides and you will get past this. Before long, it will seem so natural you won't believe you had the thought.

Congrats on the new Zurich. Beautiful bikes and very unique. Please post some feedback after a couple of weeks.

55/Rad

"But, I am going to keep it for bad weather days when the fat tires will work better."
We'll see. Sounds good, but after riding the Zurich you won't want to get on the Navigator. It will rain, you'll think "I don't want to wreck my new bike", so you get on the Navigator and that will be the last time for a long time. Your new philosphy will be, "I'll replace the parts on the Zurich that get damaged from the weather." Mine went from an unused winter bike to new goal of using it once or twice a year ride on crushed limestone rail-trails.

After a nice long ride today, I can see your point. In hills where I used to struggle along at 10mph or less, on the Zurich I am zooming up them at 15mph. While I am still getting used to the seat - it is not that bad, just have to adjust my butt a bit - everything else is fantastic.

I'll keep the Navigator for a while, clean it up, get it tuned and perhaps see how much I can get for it.

Give it a couple good rides and you will get past this. Before long, it will seem so natural you won't believe you had the thought.

Congrats on the new Zurich. Beautiful bikes and very unique. Please post some feedback after a couple of weeks.

55/Rad

I just about have the STI levers figured out, learned about down shifting two cogs at a time today. I just need some experience in selecting the right ring/cog combination, and that will come with time.

I did topple over today when I couldn't get my left cleat unclipped. The right one came out easy, but I was unbalanced, and went over on my left side. Hurt like hell, but with all the traffic around, waiting behind me in a left turn lane, I had to hop up, get on and pedal away.

I also have to learn a better technique with the frame pump. I had a flat today, picked up a huge, industrial grade staple. Patched the tube, and when I was pumping it up, I broke the valve. So, I put in the new tube, and off I went. I stopped at my LBS to have the pressure checked, and as I was wheeling it in, all the air came rushing out. I broke the stem away from the tube at the base.

The LBS owner installed a new tube and didn't charge me a cent! He said the first one was on him. Great guy. Great businessman, too. Little things like this ensure I will always shop there and will recommend it to anyone and everyone.

One more thing, when I ordered the bike, I was unsure of getting a double or triple chain ring. The LBS owner said it's 30 bucks now and $200 to change later, so opted for the triple.

I am damn glad I did! I have hit a few hills that I used to have to get off my bike and walk up, and while I didn't zoom up them, I did make it to the stop on the bike.

I would advise anyone who is wrestling with this problem, get the triple, especially if you are not a racer.

Do yourself a favor and ditch the Bonty racer tires for regular riding keep the for special occasions. Get some Continental Gatorskin in 25 or 28c. They not for ultimate speed, but take a beating. My $.02 USD.

One more thing, when I ordered the bike, I was unsure of getting a double or triple chain ring. The LBS owner said it's 30 bucks now and $200 to change later, so opted for the triple.

The thing that's a tad misleading is that, for $30, the LBS exchanges the equipment - crank + (rear der?) For $200, you end up owning both sets. If you are into building bikes, these extra parts do come in handy. I'm battling this myself as I am stripping one bike to build another and will want to re-build the first at some point.

Doesn't matter - that Zurich makes me jealous/envious and I hate you. :)

55/Rad