I found a brand new 2003 Zurich frame at a LBS. It's all 853 tubing with a Lemond carbon fiber fork. They are asking $500 for it including an Aheadset headset. Is that a good deal? I'm thinking of replacing my rusty Casati Columbus SL with this frame and will transfer my 1993 Campy Chorus 8sp ergo group to it. Does anyone see a problem with tht setup?

On a side note. I've been shopping around for a frame for a while and it seems like you can't find a reasonably priced decent steel frame anywhere. I know there are smaller companies like Waterford and Independent Fabricators but their frames cost too much. It would be nice if one of the larger companies like Bianchi, Giant,Trek would put out a nice, solid, steel frame. It seems only Lemond is putting out a couple of frames like this. It's quite annoying. Steel is still a great material for frames. The majority of riders from cat 4 to cat 1 would be better off training harder then shedding a few ounces by spending heaps of cash on a new high tech carbon/ti/alu frame. When I was racing back in the early 90's I remember a guy that was consistantly in the top 5 finishers of every race he was in. He was riding a Miyata triple butted frame. The thing was a tank and probably weighed as much too. Also, I had a buddy who raced a Bianchi SLX frame back then and he was a monster in the hills. These bike companies seem to be catering to the ignorant masses who think getting the lightest bike is all that matters. It sucks. Stupid masses.

LOL.....Looks like there is a little bit of the Top Gun School of Cycling in you.

Considering it is brand new with a carbon fork...I don't think it is a bad deal.

You could probably do better, but I don't think you would be getting ripped off for paying that much.

At one time I was thinking of getting a Raleigh Professional frame/carbon fork. It was Columbus Zona steel......GVH used to sell them for $350. In all honestly I would rather have a lemond Frame with the 853.

Hahaha.....I love this part!

I have a 2003 Zurich built up DA components. If I was forced to choose which one of my 5 bikes to keep, I'd really be torn between the Zurich and my Merlin. (Well, not that torn, but I do like the Zurich very much.)

$500 might be a little high for a 2 year old frame/fork/headset combination. I bought a new '99 Lemond Malliot Jaune new in 2001 for $400, and it has a better fork than the Zurich.

Assuming it's the right size for you, I'd offer them $400 and see if they take it. If they won't budge, see if they'll throw in something you need.

I not familiar with your components, so I won't speculate if there are any issues with them. The seat tube does not have a braze-on for the front derailleur, though.

Sounds like a reasonable price to me, especially compared to Aussie prices, but just be aware that they are not exactly feather weight: the 57cm Zurich I nearly bought was 3.9lbs. The top tubes are slightly longer than most manufacturers, but I think it depends on the size -- the larger the frame, the smaller the relative length of the top tube.

The head-tubes are also slightly on the short size, with the one I looked at being 153mm -- this could cause spacing issues if you wanna have the bars up high

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll go with offering 400 or make them throw in a front der. clamp.

53-11Alltheway,

Glad you enjoyed my post. I really meant what I said. Also,what's "Top Gun School of Cycling "?

So in your mind, if I care at all about the weight of my gear, then I am ignorant.

Good thing it's your mind.

55/Rad

55/Rad,

That's an annoying and extreme interpretation of my post. Also, I didn't say you couldn't care at all about the weight of your gear I said "getting the lightest bike is all that matters". Meaning, it seems that the most important attribute to the general public is light weight. Hence, it seems most larger companies are catering to the general public by producing the lightest possible bikes. I'm assuming that's why there seems to be less steel out there.

So if you had said in your post, "So in your mind, if all I cared about was the weight of my gear, then I'm ignorant." I would have agreed that you're ignorant.

Does that clear things up?

I have a 2003 Lemond as you can see (with a bit of carbon added). Carbon for alloy as my thought is why have steel and then every part that you touch is alloy - oh well! Anyway I think the price is pretty good as you won't find many 2003 Zurich frames, especially in the right size, hanging in bike shops. Also the Fork for the 2003 Malliot Jaune and Zurich are both 110 GSM carbon. Good Luck

Yes Bob, it does. It clears up the semantics and the spirit behind your opinion. I apologize for annoying you with my extreme interpretation. It's just that I found your overly broad (dare I say extreme) statement of: "These bike companies seem to be catering to the ignorant masses who think getting the lightest bike is all that matters. It sucks. Stupid masses." - to warrant an equally nutty response.

If you give, then so shall you receive. Peace.

55/Rad

I have a 2003 Zurich as well but I added alot of carbon. That is a decent price and I don't think you will find too many of them laying around. The bike is outstanding.

probably out of budget, but if i was gonna go for a steelie, i'd like a soulcraft frame. they're the builders from salsa and damn their bikes look sweet.

I have a 2001 Zurich, all steel. Very hopped up with great parts. I don't think I can find any flaws in it (Frame or parts). If it has a flaw, it's that it is too good for a rider of my skill.

I have a Soulcraft Royale and love it... incredible ride quality. If you have the money go for it. However, for my next bike (my first crosser) I'm planning on getting a Surley. Good steel at reasonable prices.