Lemond Zurich - Any feedback?

etep

Hi,

I`m sorely tempted to buy a Lemond Zurich and just wondered whether anyone has ridden one and could give any constructive feedback please?

Thanks

dombo6

I have the Buenos Aires which is the same bike with slightly lower spec kit. Mine is the 2006 model so the last of the carbon /steel spine models. Top tube, seat tube and seat stays are carbon while the down tube, head tube and chainstays are steel.
It was my first proper road bike and I've been very pleased with it. got it for £999 from Evans 2 years ago reduced from £1600. Lemonds typically have a longer top tube for a slightly more "stretched out" position. The seat tube angle also puts you slightly further back so utilising the glutes more when pedalling.This allows a longer wheelbase and helps stability. The 55cm size suited me as I have a relatively long torso, at 5'8" my inseam is 32". I tried Bianchis at the time and found them too cramped.
The geometry won't have changed for the new, all carbon ones if that is what you're considering. However they will be around a pound or two lighter. Mine is 18.5 lbs having changed the wheels to Easton EA90 SLXs and I also changed the triple Bontrager chainset to an equivalent Ultegra, for no other reason than the Ultegra was going for half price in a sale. The current all carbon Zurich would I guess be around 17lbs.
The bike is very fast and comfortable. I've done two Dragon Rides, last year's Etape and numerous 80-100 mile rides on it and it holds up well on fast club runs.
Big advantage of them is that they no longer make them so most shops are keen to get rid of old stock at big discounts. Despite that they will still carry a full lifetime guarantee from Trek.
roadbikereview.com is a US site with a lot of reviews of the Zurich, which was the best seller of the Lemond range at the top end.
All told its a great bike and if I could justify it to the Mrs I would get a new Zurich or even a Victoire.

bendertherobot

That's mine. It's fab.

etep

Great - thanks for all the info. I`m now convinced I`d like a Lemond, next stage is to convince my wife.............

elgin250

I've a carbon Zurich also.
Great bike (bought in preference to a Madone).
As per the RBR reviews, the seat and wheels need changed.
The fork is a little on the heavy side.
My only real criticism of a bike that I really like is that it is maybe TOO plush sometimes

bendertherobot

Aye. As you can see mine has Elite's on in preference to the Bontys.

Makes it that bit faster again. Changed all my bars stem etc to Ritchey items.

Just need a new saddle in due course. I might well do the fork in the future but, of course, it will have to be black. And that might upset the colour balance.