What am I missing?

[amymisk]

Hi,

I don't have the Buenos Aires, but I ride a 2007 Versailles. I love the bike. The catalogue does not do the bike justice. The min-max frame is very unique in person, the colors are gorgeous. I did add some hot pink accessories, which you can see in the avatar. I originally was looking at the Trek Pilot as well and my LBS recommended the LeMond based on my fit.

I also love the Orbea Diva, but I haven't ridden one.

Good Luck with shopping.

[rapid cycler]

Hi,

I don't have the Buenos Aires, but I ride a 2007 Versailles. I love the bike. The catalogue does not do the bike justice. The min-max frame is very unique in person, the colors are gorgeous.

My S.O. rides a Zurich. Lemonds are sweet!

[makbike]

Have you given any thought to a recumbent?

[dex]

'm 5'4", with legs proportionately small and a torso proportionately long for my size, which renders my body a bit less aerodynamic than those long, lean, sinewy types who climb hills like mountain goats—and also makes me wonder whether women's-specific makes would work for me.

I'm about the same height as you, also with proportionately shorter legs and long toso. My own experience with bike shopping and trying out WSD bikes was that none of them worked for me. So definitely give them a try, but I'd say be open to the reality that the fit may not work out.

Coincidentally, I ended up with a LeMond. A Reno for me, but I'm now regularly eyeing Zurich frames on eBay. I loved every LeMond I test rode, the Reno was just the one that fit best into my budget at the time (also I didn't want to drop loads on a road bike when I hadn't even been on one at all in fifteen years or so).

Good luck!

[sklarewc]

You could get a custom-fitted titanium Serotta for a little under $3,000. I've never ridden one--I have the Litespeed Bella (and love it)--but I see a lot of them in my club and think the custom-build route might work best for you. Also, although the ones they have on their website don't look all that exciting, you can choose the paint scheme & colors, w/in certain parameters.

[rapid cycler]

You could get a custom-fitted titanium Serotta for a little under $3,000. I've never ridden one--I have the Litespeed Bella (and love it)--but I see a lot of them in my club and think the custom-build route might work best for you. Also, although the ones they have on their website don't look all that exciting, you can choose the paint scheme & colors, w/in certain parameters.

Mmmm, Serotta. I like me some of that. I thought it would probably run me more like 5K to get there, but I'll definitely investigate.

[bike4ever]

I'm currently on a 49cm Lemond Buenos Aires. This is a men's frame since my torso is longer, and I feel like I am falling off of the front of Lemond's WSD bikes. My bike is the steel/carbon spine model; however, if I were purchasing this year I would definitely go with their Triumphe carbon. I rode those last August at Trek World and absolutely loved the ride.

Since you have some back issues, I would stick with carbon, steel or titanium. Aluminum would probably be way too uncomfortable.

Good luck - have fun test riding.

[rapid cycler]

Coincidentally, I ended up with a LeMond. A Reno for me, but I'm now regularly eyeing Zurich frames on eBay. I loved every LeMond I test rode, the Reno was just the one that fit best into my budget at the time (also I didn't want to drop loads on a road bike when I hadn't even been on one at all in fifteen years or so).

Good luck!

My partner got a great deal on the steel/carbon 2005 Zurich in a bike store, about $700 off if I remember right. This was about a year back, but I still see them pop up here and there on clearance. Keep those dreamy eyes peeled.

[rapid cycler]

Have you given any thought to a recumbent?

I have, actually, especially after I saw that Calfee makes a carbon fiber model available in a generous sampling of sizes, but I have one significant barrier between me and such a steed: I live in Los Angeles, where even high-profile cyclists take their lives in hand when pedaling the crazy roads.

Interestingly, I had mentioned the idea of getting a recumbent bike during a chatty moment in therapy several weeks back. At the time, my therapist had trouble visualizing what I was talking about, but this week when she saw me she immediately forbade me to buy one, saying that she had nearly hit one on her way into work that very morning.

I'd love to try a 'bent someday, and I'd like to do so on sleepy country roads, pedaling past nothing but idyllic cow pastures and vineyards.