Used LeMond Zurich or 2011 Trek 1.5?
 

I'm in the market for my very first road bike. I have a budget of about $1000.

My boss has a LeMond Zurich that he is no longer riding. He offered to let me take it for a test ride. We didn't discuss price or much of any details about the thing. I don't know what year. All I know is it's all carbon and it's 61cm, which seems a little big for me (I'm about 6'1"). I'm assuming he would sell it to me for a pretty good price.

On the other hand, Mellow Johnny's here in Austin is having a Black Friday sale. They're going to have the Trek 1.5 on sale for $899 (normally $1099). I'm in love with the color of the 1.5.

Anyway, can anybody give any opinions on what they would do? I've done a little bit of research on the LeMond Zurich and it seems like they were pretty decent bikes retailing for over $2000. I know it depends on the year and condition, but let's assume it's a late model and in very good condition.

I appreciate any help.

Your friend,

noob

Hmph, that model used to be a very fine steel bike. I was not aware they started making it in CF. How did I miss THAT memo?

i could be mistaken, but i think that frame has been CF since 2007 or 2008? can anyone confirm or deny this?

oh, and to address the original post, if the lemond fits properly, i'd choose that one.

He definitely said it was a carbon fiber frame. Again, I haven't seen it and have no idea what year it is.

Thanks for this post. I've been kinda leaning towards the 1.5 just 'cause I want a brand new bike, but if I can get the lemond and save some money, I think I'll go with it.

That's true, but this is my boss. I highly doubt he'd rip me off or refuse to give me my money back if I decide it's not working out. And if I can get a <5 year old bike that retailed for >$2000 for a really good price (I'm thinking he might sell it to me for $500 or less), I think I might jump on it.

61 cm seems pretty big for a 6'1" guy... might fit, but it sure wouldn't worry about it being on the small size.

Go for the Lemond if it fits you well.

Yeah, that's what I thought, but my boss doesn't seem to be THAT much taller than me. Maybe 1". He said the geometry is a little different on Lemond's as well so they fit differently? I dunno. The test ride is tomorrow. I'll let y'all know how it all works out.

Thanks, man. :)

To my recollection I believe it is. A friend of mine has one. Think it is ultegra-equipped. Too lazy to look it up.

+1 on the Lemond, assuming it fits well, and the price is good.

from what I've read, Lemonds typically have a longer effective top tube relative to most brands. this may or may not be at all relevant. give it a try...you'll know whether or not it'll work.

No problem. Whichever you end up getting, make sure to post a driveside pic of the bike. We all love bike pron. ;)

I hope it's this one: http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...rich&Type=bike :D

lol, no doubt.

I have a 1.5 and its a great bike but its no carbon fiber.

Geez, that's beautiful. I hope it fits you.

While I agree with buying the Lemond if it's in good shape and if it fits well, I think much more emphasis needs to be put on it fitting.

Being close to your boss in height you will most likely be able to ride it, and for shorter distances it may even seem ok. But as you ride longer even a slightly too large bike can become painfully uncomfortable. And while a shorter stem and seat adjustment may make it more comfortable, the compromises in steering and geometry may make it not worth it.

Trek 1.5s may not be fancy, but they fulfill the needs of most road cyclists. And if you don't like them that much for $1000 there are other options. Do some reading on these forums and you will find way more people complaining about comfort issues of ill fitting bikes than you will find people saying their Tiagra components suck.

+1 on making sure the LeMond fits. I love mine, but it did fit differently than the comparable Trek I looked into at the time. Also, for what it is worth, I am 6'4" and I ride the 61cm.

Yup, that's the one!

That is correct. My Zurich is an '06, and it was the last of the fairly unique carbon and steel frames.

+100 on "Make sure it fits." I'm 6'1" and rode a 55 cm LeMond. The Colnago that replaced it is a 57 cm, but my seat and handlebar positions are exactly the same.

Just repeating what has already been said..

Just worry about 1 thing...Fit

without proper fit.. you're waisting $$

Lemond is the better bike, but not if it doesn't fit. I am 5'10 and ride a 55cm steel lemond. A 57cm was way too big for me.

Thank you all for the replies. To be honest, I'm not even sure what I'm looking for when trying to tell if a bike fits. I'll do some more research on this forum.

95% chance that a 61cm is too big for you, and not just a little big but will work with a stubby stem, but TOO BIG.