Road Cycling - Buying New bike / lemond/trek/bianchi/specialized?

I am coming from a lifetime background of biking that consists of Mt. Biking and freestyly/bmx. and have no clue about road biking other than what I see on the Tour de France and Giro.

So, after riding a family members 2001 Cannondale R800 for several rides, I realized 50mile road rides on overinflated knobbies were not going to happen ever again. I have to say the Cannondale rode kinda hard, I even bottomed out on a road hole (flat) but I don't know, it's the first time I ever rode a road bike.

Now I want a road bike and have been researching extensively and could use some honest opinions from other users.

Price Range: $1400-1700
Bikes in question: Lemond Zurich, Trek 2200, Bianchi Giro, Specialized Allez Comp, others?
Intended Use: I love hills. Love em, steeper the better. Also want to eventually do some overnighters (100+ miles) or multi state rides. Bit for the most part, would be 30-50 mile rides in my town on weekends
Me: 5'10, 155lbs. Long arms.

i listed Trek on there because I have ridden a Trek hardtail mt bike for several years and have literally beat the living piss out of this thing and it still is intact (of course each year meant more upgrades to components). Isn't Lemond a Trek owned company?

Any insight would be welcome!

Thanks

Hi,
The most important thing is the fit. Wander around to a few bike shops and try a bunch of bikes. You can add the Jamis Quest to your list.
The Gunnar Roadie or Sport would stretch the budget a little; but they're sweet bikes. The Specialized Allez steel is one I haven't had the chance to try; but looks very nice. Steel is a good choice at this price range.
Keep an eye out for '03 models and used. Since you like mountains, I'd get a triple. But take some long test rides; and buy the one that rocks your world.

If you're looking at Bianchi's, don't overlook the Veloce. The Giro's a nice bike, but you might want to try out a steel frame for comfort.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm
http://www.bicycleblowout.com/RoadBikes.htm

not saying to buy from those sites, just use them to check out some bikes.

You describe yourself as long-armed. There's a good chance the LeMond frame will be a good fit, because it tends to best accommodate riders with longer upper than lower torsos, to be sure to test-ride the Zurich (or at the pricepoint right below it, the Buenos Aires - for the 2004 models, that's the one that would be in the price range you've cited anyway ).

Fit is everything - that and the more you love the bike (which is probably mostly aesthetics and having or developing an emotional bond), the more enjoyment from and the more riding you'll do.

Yes, LeMond is owned by Trek, so that should give you more piece of mind about the financial strength of the bike company giving you your warranty if you do get a LeMond.

I have a 2004 Buenos Aires with a triple, and am very happy with it. I run into bike dealers and mechanics all the time who are really impressed with the ride of the combo carbon/steel LeMond frame. They say it takes out the road vibrations better than any other bike in its price class.

I never rode the others but Bianchi...

I tested Volpe, Eros and Veloce. I bought an Eros and Volpe. I wish I got the Veloce - only reason I chose the Eros over it was the Veloce was a demo bike. My mistake. It felt good immediately.
Have a bike built was the best though.

I rode the MS150 on my Eros in 70 miles of rain and can't complian.

The key is, if it hasn't already been said, try them. Make sure they fit you good. If it feels good do it.

I never rode the others but Bianchi...

I tested Volpe, Eros and Veloce. I bought an Eros and Volpe. I wish I got the Veloce - only reason I chose the Eros over it was the Veloce was a demo bike. My mistake. It felt good immediately.
Have a bike built was the best though.

I rode the MS150 on my Eros in 70 miles of rain and can't complian.

The key is, if it hasn't already been said, try them. Make sure they fit you good. If it feels good do it.

HEY !! I just purchased an Eros and Volpe just this month! WOW......

Anyway. Test ride several bikes and get the owner to order a NEW bike based on your size. The LBS that I ordered my Eros/Volpe would have sold me a Cannondale that was one size too big! When I told him I wanted a new bike based on my body proportions, he ordered a bike the right size! Most people buy a bike off the shelf which is a mistake.

Do I even need to say it? Sure ... Felt. Take a peek at the Felt lineup: www.feltracing.com

What about the Specialized Roubaix?

FIT, FIT, TIT Can I say it enough??

The bikes you are looking at all are good and have thier merrits. In the price range you are looking at you can get a good bike from any of them. You have to try them out to see what feels best for you.

I personally lean toward the LeMond, but then again I ride one. As was said earler, the reach of the LeMond is great and the comfort of the steel frame is good too.

You may want to invest $$ in a bike fit so you know what size you REALLY need (as opposed to what they have and can fit to you). That way you will also have some ideas on how each bike needs to be set up for a fair comparison (seat height, reach etc.) Also, try to have the tires inflated fully so you get to feel the ride of the frame and not the smootness you get from riding slightly underinflated tires!!


Happy hunting...Bill

I am coming from a lifetime background of biking that consists of Mt. Biking and freestyly/bmx. and have no clue about road biking other than what I see on the Tour de France and Giro.

So, after riding a family members 2001 Cannondale R800 for several rides, I realized 50mile road rides on overinflated knobbies were not going to happen ever again. I have to say the Cannondale rode kinda hard, I even bottomed out on a road hole (flat) but I don't know, it's the first time I ever rode a road bike.

Now I want a road bike and have been researching extensively and could use some honest opinions from other users.

Price Range: $1400-1700
Bikes in question: Lemond Zurich, Trek 2200, Bianchi Giro, Specialized Allez Comp, others?
Intended Use: I love hills. Love em, steeper the better. Also want to eventually do some overnighters (100+ miles) or multi state rides. Bit for the most part, would be 30-50 mile rides in my town on weekends
Me: 5'10, 155lbs. Long arms.

i listed Trek on there because I have ridden a Trek hardtail mt bike for several years and have literally beat the living piss out of this thing and it still is intact (of course each year meant more upgrades to components). Isn't Lemond a Trek owned company?

Any insight would be welcome!

Thanks

I have the 2004 Trek2200 and love it. Rides so smooth and I barely feel the road. I rode the Cannondale R800 and thought it was too hard a ride.

Price Range: $1400-1700 Bikes in question: Lemond Zurich, Trek 2200, Bianchi Giro, Specialized Allez Comp, others? Intended Use: I love hills. Love em, steeper the better. Also want to eventually do some overnighters (100+ miles) or multi state rides. Bit for the most part, would be 30-50 mile rides in my town on weekends Me: 5'10, 155lbs. Long arms.

Yes. Any of them. The Zurich is a bit more than your budget. Mine cost $2200 at the LBS. You might want to look at the Trek 5000, a full carbon frame with a mix of 105 and Ultrega components.

Look at them all, test ride them, and pick the one that feels the best and make sure you get fitted properly.

Thanks guys!
I'm going to check out the LeMond Buenos Aires tonight. It's a LeMond dealer so I'm hoping they have that model. Will also go to another store and check out the Bianchi Veloce. Ruled out the Cannondale.
Seems like for my purposes and interests, a steel frame as opposed to Aluminum is the way.

So my next question: some of you recommended a Trek full carbon frame. Is a carbon frame as smooth of a ride as steel? The 2200 is more in my range but it sounds like it's a mix, not a full carbon and I would need to enter a new price range for the 5000

Thanks guys!
I'm going to check out the LeMond Buenos Aires tonight. It's a LeMond dealer so I'm hoping they have that model. Will also go to another store and check out the Bianchi Veloce. Ruled out the Cannondale.
Seems like for my purposes and interests, a steel frame as opposed to Aluminum is the way.

So my next question: some of you recommended a Trek full carbon frame. Is a carbon frame as smooth of a ride as steel? The 2200 is more in my range but it sounds like it's a mix, not a full carbon and I would need to enter a new price range for the 5000

I haven't seen anybody address the "overnights and multi-state" rides part of your question. If you're planning on carrying stuff on your bike or pulling a trailer, you'll be making a comprimise with any of these bikes. None of them is designed for loaded touring. Almost certainly, one of the steel frames would be a better comprimise than the carbon fiber frames. The Bianchi Veloce would be a better selection for loading than the Giro. It is steel, has rack mounts, and a more laid back geometry. Racing bikes are great, but they aren't for every purpose.

Thanks guys!
I'm going to check out the LeMond Buenos Aires tonight. It's a LeMond dealer so I'm hoping they have that model. Will also go to another store and check out the Bianchi Veloce. Ruled out the Cannondale.
Seems like for my purposes and interests, a steel frame as opposed to Aluminum is the way.

So my next question: some of you recommended a Trek full carbon frame. Is a carbon frame as smooth of a ride as steel? The 2200 is more in my range but it sounds like it's a mix, not a full carbon and I would need to enter a new price range for the 5000

Your situation is like Deja Vu for me, as I purchased a road bike
earlier this year, with the same budget you describe. I preferred the ride of
steel, after test-riding a number of bikes. (If you were to ask on this
forum, you'd get an endless debate about steel vs. aluminum vs.
everything else.)

Both Lemond and Bianchi make great steel bikes available
at multiple bike shops. For the money, the Bianchi Vigorelli is
a great bike, with Shimano Ultegra drive train components that will
perform very well and are universally available for maintenance/replacement
in the future. The Lemonds (B/A or Zurich) also rode very nicely,
though are a bit more expensive for similar components to the Bianchis.
I'd agree with Allen H that Lemonds felt "longer" than the Bianchi,
good if you have longer arms/torso or prefer to be more layed-out on
the bike.

Have fun and take your time with the purchase! I'd definitely suggest
you try out a carbon bike (like trek 5200) and see for yourself.
My experience was that the carbon fiber bike rode quietly (a lot
of damping effect from the CF) and no doubt felt a bit lighter when
climbing. I thought the steel actually felt smoother, but I may get
flames thrown at me for that opinion. :)

I haven't seen anybody address the "overnights and multi-state" rides part of your question. If you're planning on carrying stuff on your bike or pulling a trailer, you'll be making a comprimise with any of these bikes. None of them is designed for loaded touring. Almost certainly, one of the steel frames would be a better comprimise than the carbon fiber frames. The Bianchi Veloce would be a better selection for loading than the Giro. It is steel, has rack mounts, and a more laid back geometry. Racing bikes are great, but they aren't for every purpose.

Halfspeed. Good advice. One thing I easily overlooked. Couldn't get out to the shop tonight (worked late) but have been researching the sites and yes, the Veloce and Vigorelli have rack mounts. I was unable to determine if any of the LeMonds have rack mounts as well. Any recommendations of other similarly equipped bikes with mounts? The touring thing would take up the least of my time, but I would like to have that option when I do.

Thanks

Halfspeed. Good advice. One thing I easily overlooked. Couldn't get out to the shop tonight (worked late) but have been researching the sites and yes, the Veloce and Vigorelli have rack mounts. I was unable to determine if any of the LeMonds have rack mounts as well. Any recommendations of other similarly equipped bikes with mounts? The touring thing would take up the least of my time, but I would like to have that option when I do.

Thanks

For longer rides you need to consider several things:
Clearance for fatter tires and fenders
Braze ons for at least two water bottles, racks and fenders
Relatively relaxed geometry.
Longer chainstays to accomodate panniers
Bombproof wheelset

All of these things tend to add weight and create a slower ride overall. That means there are comprimises. If you decide to tour with a credit card instead of a tent, you can worry less about wheels, racks and fat tires. You'd still want a more relaxed geometry, though. Maybe you need two bikes. :)

I don't know of any major manufacturers other than Bianchi who build rack mounts on to most of their road bikes. (Although it could just be that I didn't notice.)

Do I even need to say it? Sure ... Felt. Take a peek at the Felt lineup: www.feltracing.com

Can anyone offer an equivilant/comparison Felt model to the Lemond Reno ?(http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/reno.jsp)

So case closed. I visited a few shops and test rode a couple bikes.
Last stop was a shop that dealt with LeMonds and lo and behold, they had a 2003 Zurich marked down to $1800. And if fate wasn't on my side, the size was in my range (57). I tore up the road on some test rides and it was pure pleasure..smooth, fast, comfortable. My gangly arms felt at home this.
Up until today, I was set on a Bianchi Vigorelli which rode beautifully but the LeMond was alot more bang for the buck and slightly fit me better.
The shop is Sierra Cycles in Scarsdale NY and definitly a shop worth checking out of you're in the Westchester County area.

To address the light touring need I posted... well. I guess I'll get another bike for that :)

Thanks for the responses to my posts everybody! I'll post a pic soon.

Congrats! Welcome to the LeMond camp of happy riders - the Zurich is a beauty.