2003 Lemond Zurich to 11sp R7000 update?
 

Hello, I've been looking at 'vintage' steel frames for a while and always liked the Lemond bikes. I just scored a 2003 Lemond Zurich 53cm frameset on eBay and it's in shipping to me. It has an Ultegra STI crankset and the rear derailleur only installed. So, to get this bike back on the road, I have some work to do.

I know someone with a new, take-off Shimano 105 R7000 groupset available, minus the brakes, and wonder if this frame can take this new 11-speed groupset. I know this has been discussed more than once on here and other places, but I am honestly confused as to what I can and cannot do, or what is advisable. Is this as simple as getting the rear spacing moved out a few mm's? Also, can the Shimano R7000 brakes fit if I buy those separately? Lastly, I have some Shimano Ultegra Wh-6800 wheels that I would like to use, but I don't know if they will work or could be made to work.

Any and all advice very appreciated. This bike will be ridden a lot and I want to do this right.

It has ultegra sti already which likely means it is 130mm spacing.
Quite likely everything will fit quite easily and nothing difficult about it.
Do you have the tools or is it a shop job?

Sight unseen I don't know .. a good Pro bike shop can likely do the work , you are so unsure about..

High end race bikes are rare out here,
but in the next week there will be a hundred or so showing up here..

and My nearby LBS copes with it ..

Yep, that's an easy swap if you have the tools. Rear sizing is already correct, just strip down to the bare frame with headset and install the new bits. Caliper brakeset and mentioned wheels should fit without any issue.

I have a 2001 Zurich which a switched to 11-speed Ultegra along with C24 Dura Ace wheels with zero hiccups. Everything went on easily, bike rides great!

Excellent! I just bought the groupset but still need to work on the brakes.

Any suggestions with brake choices?

Brakes to match the rest of the components? Decent and inexpensive.

Bit confused about the question in general, you have a relatively new frame on the way (2003 is a long long way from being vintage, even if it is steel), which will have exactly the same specs (component sizing) as a steel rim braked frame purchased new today, the only possible differences will be geometry and maybe a tapered steerer.

By calling it vintage, you are adding confusion and issues to the frame/build which don't exist.

It (the frame) will take any current rim brake groupset, the only thing possible stopping this is rear wheel choice and compatible freehub, as you say you have a 6800 wheelset, this is not an issue, as 6800 was 11 speed out the box.