LeMond Bicycles 2001 Zurich

Price Paid:  $800.00 at internet classifieds

Favorite Ride:
Trinity trail

Bike Setup:
If you really want to know look at my profile.

Summary:
My first ride on this bike was last years hotter 'n hell hundred. Although I had not been fitted on it we got off to a good start that has continued to blossom. The bike is fun to ride. Fun means a lot of things to a lot of people, it can mean pain, exhiliration, stress relief, or whatever, but if its not fun you won't ride. This bike makes me ride. The steel frame is great although I am not a steel worshipper like some, I see its strong points. The stock wheels are good and even though I am constantly looking to upgrade them, I have not found a set with features for the right price enough to purchase. I would continue to train on them even if I did upgrade. The shifting is excellent and especially with the upgrade to DA on the rear. Like a dream.

Strengths:
On the flats it flies, downhill it hums, on the hills it... well see below. It is one of the prettiest bikes you will ever see. Internet pix do not do it justice, if you've seen one you know.

Weaknesses:
Oh I guess steel could be as light as aluminum with the same cuhsy feeling, but I think they call that titanium. I have had difficulty with the bike on climbs, maybe that's just me and not the bike so take that for what it's worth.

Similar Products Used:
1990's bianchi 105

Price Paid:  $0.00 at www.eastcoasters.com

Favorite Ride:
Backside of Mountain Lake

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Wilderness Trail Bikes 'Podium' Ti seat, and my trusty dusty Shimano 747 pedals (hey one pair of mtb shoes!) and I don't care what the roadie geeks say!!!

Summary:
The Zurich is my first roadie bike. As a mtb'er for 10 years I swore I'd never mess with a road bike, but finally broke down after realizing it was the only way to ride when the local trails were too sloppy with mud to ride.

I love this bike. Stiff yet supple. I have had two steel mt. bikes, and don't like the harsh feel of aluminum. The steel frame takes out the annoying road buzz and never leaves you numb (hands or crotch). It is stiff enough that it feels quick, yet it just takes that edge off. On long rides nothing beats it. The Ultegra components and the Rolf wheels have been trouble free after over 2k miles. Not a wrench turned since initial tension adjustment.

Strengths:
Paint is flawless, Michelin tires flatless, everything just sweet as can be. It is so nice to own ONE bike that doesn't require some sort of pre-ride maintenance every ride!

Weaknesses:
Doesn't perform well on icy or snow covered roads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY sketchy on that stuff!!!! ; )

Similar Products Used:
I rode some various aluminum frames an Ti and a carbon. The als were too harsh, the carbon felt 'dead', the Ti was very nice but too pricey - $4k is more than I can justify not being a racer.

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Competitive Edge

Favorite Ride:
Shutesbury Notch

Bike Setup:
Stock except for the saddle & post

Summary:
Well I think the grouppo is fantastic...full ultegra need I say more! The paint job is also a score! The Rolf wheelset is a huge and needed asset. It is a great bike for the non racer type cyclist or for someone who doesn't partake in the town line sprints.

Strengths:
The overall bike as a machine is great. The grouppo is where it's at.

Weaknesses:
Ok here we go man someone once said to me "Seth steel ain't real" I now get it. Zurich I love thee on a long long ride but you can't sprint or climb for sh!*. Hello can you say dead. I swear you can see the energy flow right into the frame. I am only so harsh after about 200 miles a week and a normal average speed of about 22 mph by myself.

Similar Products Used:
I have ridden a litespeed Tuscany Cannondale R2000 (sprinters dream),specialized allez,and a Bianchi

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Pacific Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Bolinas-Fairfax Rd, Mt. Tam

Bike Setup:
Triple, Specialized saddle.

Summary:
It's an impressive bike that grows on you. The geometry and position is wonderful; I like the stretched out top tube and the laid back seat tube. It fits my 6'4" height well. For a thin steel tube bike in a 61cm is is remarkably stiff; I've never had problems with BB flex changing the drivetrain or affecting handling. The front end is also very stiff, with an excellent TTT Forgie stem and a carbon fiber fork. It handles predictably under hard acceleration, and the ride is comfortable and without a lot of the vibration feedback that seem to plague aluminum frames.

I was a little worried about the Rolf wheels, but they've held up remarkably well. They're stronger than they look.

The handling is very slightly quicker than I'd like. My old Eddy was on rails above 20 mph in a pack or on a descent. You have to pay more attention to the Zurich, and you're not as eager to ride no-hands at 25 mph while taking off arm warmers. OTOH it climbs well at low speed with no wheel flop, and the faster handling is nice in a few situations. (This is all very relative. It's a road racing bike, not a crit bike.)

I looked at a Trek 5200 carbon fiber frame, but couldn't get a good fit in my size. The Lemonds run large.

Strengths:
Stiff, predictable handling, excellent fit, Pacific Bicycles did a great job assembling it.

Weaknesses:
Saddle is uncomfortable.

Similar Products Used:
Eddy Merckx Strada, Lightspeed Classic, Trek 5200

Price Paid:  $1750.00 at I.E Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Los Laureles Grade

Bike Setup:
Recently upgraded all components and this bike is officially a rocket. Campy Record Ten Speed grupo.

Summary:
My first journey into the "modern" bikes.Previously rode Guerciotti's, Calif. Masi, etc.. This bike is awesome. Rides better and is more responsive than the old steel classics.

Strengths:
Finish. Ride. Value.

Weaknesses:
The Ultegra Shift Levers rattled.

Similar Products Used:
Test rode Trek 2300.