Road Cycling - Decisions!

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pjbaz
05-21-04, 10:45 AM
So this morning I went and took a ride on a leftover (03) Zurich double and man, was it nice. Of course, I've already test ridden a ton of bikes and now can't decide what I want.

Basically, it's down to the Zurich, a cro-mo Allez, a Specialized Roubaix (either alu/carbon or full carbon)

The Zurich is a double (I'm thinking triple)
The Allez and Roubaix come with 540 wheelsets (which I don't want)
The cost isn't as much a factor, as long as I don't go too nuts.

So, should I buy the Zurich and force myself to learn to climb or should I buy one of the others and spend more $$ to change the wheelset?

Does carbon appear ( I'm guessing there's not a lot of info yet) to have the same longevity as steel?
One more thing, anyone know ACTUAL weight on these rides?


Thanks,
PJ (The decision process is killing me) BAZ

55/Rad
05-21-04, 11:13 AM
Buy the Zurich. Have them put a 12/27 cassette on it and you will climb fine with the double. Although I don't know the weight of the '03 Zurich, my Maillot Jaune with identical frame but different components is 18.5 lbs. with pedals and cages.

I have a carbon Trek 5500 as well. They too are wonderful if you want to spend that kind of money. It weighs in at 17.4 with pedals and cages.

I love them both but if I could only have one, I'd take the MJ. Why? Because I'm not opposed to taking it out in less-than-ideal conditions.

55/Rad
Avalanche325
05-21-04, 11:15 AM
Or change the Zurich to a triple.

Xavier
05-21-04, 11:50 AM
Buy the Zurich. Stay away from American Classic wheels.

Stay with the double. If you want later you can buy a compact crank loke the FSA Gossamer ISIS ($100-$140) and there you will hav a 34T inner ring. That with a 25 or 27T and you are good to go. Lighter and cleaner.
HOG-I
05-21-04, 12:41 PM
I have a 03 Zurich and love it. The Bontrager wheel set is tops. I'm 175 and the wheels are still true at 4000 plus miles. I've added a few goodies for comfort not weight savings, as you can see, and the bike weighs in at 19lbs with pedals, two cages and a PI small bag with a spare tube and multi tool.
SipperPhoto
05-21-04, 01:29 PM
I have an '01 Maillot Jaune-- Same frame... Get the Lemond... if it fits you right... you will not be disappointed... and if you worried about the double/triple thing... just get a 12/27 cassette, and learn to grind up hills... unless you are climbing Alpe d'Huez, there is no need for a Triple most places

jeff