I'm getting a new road bike, what do you guys think?

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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
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After saving for almost 6 months (I'm a poor college student) I can finally afford a new road bike. I decided to buy it now even though it's the middle of winter since I've waited for so long and don't want to wait another 2 months for it to get warmer. I've already got my cold weather cycling clothing ready, plus there might be some unseasonably warm weather like it was earlier this week.

I ordered a Specialized Allez Elite through my LBS (local bike shop), I'll probably get it within a week. It's $1200 though the manager was nice enough to take $100 off since he knew I was saving for so long. This'll be my first serious road bike since my old one is 20+ years old. I'm getting into road biking after joining the university's cycling club, I've mainly been riding mountain.

I couldn't decide between the blue or the red, but the blue was the only one Specialized had in my size so I ordered that one. Which one do you guys like better?
 
coldmeat

coldmeat

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2007
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I've always wanted a nice road bike but they're too expensive.

I've also always liked Fuji for road bikes but that Allez looks nice.
 
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LS21

Banned
Nov 27, 2007
3,745
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buy used save more money. thats a popular model so youll have no prob finding one
 
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dougp

Diamond Member
May 3, 2002
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Originally posted by: LS21
buy used save more money. thats a popular model so youll have no prob finding one
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Not always the best idea. You don't always know if there are any stress issues on the frame ...
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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Originally posted by: senseamp
That's nice one. How does it compare to the Trek Madone?
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Trek had the full carbon Madone on sale over the summer for $1999 which was a steal. I think it was Ultegra equipped IIRC.
 
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apac

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2003
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I bought a 2008 Red Allez Elite last august and couldn't be happier. It had a much better geometry than the sequoia, and was IMO worth the upgrade over the regular Allez for the higher quality components and standard brake lever shifters. I've taken it to about 45 mph before and it handled very well.

One thing - make sure you've got a bit of extra dough for the extra stuff. I'd recommend a tail blinker if you're ever riding at night, a lightweight pump, bottle cage, water bottle, and small seat bag containing: patch kit, multitool, tire irons, maybe a few first aid items, and I like to carry a spare tube as well. Maybe a bit overkill, but since I take it on long trips up winding mountain roads and it would truly suck to get stranded 20 miles out. I also dropped about $50 on a cateye spedometer cause the fun part of road cycling is seeing speed + distance :).

Oh I forgot you should get some chain oil for lubing the drive chain every 200-300 miles.

All that stacked the price up a bit more than I'd expected.

P.S. get the red. It looks dead sexy.

edit: oops well I missed the part where you already ordered the blue. Honestly I only got the red cause it's what my LBS had in stock too :).
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
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Originally posted by: LS21
buy used save more money. thats a popular model so youll have no prob finding one
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Nah, I live in a relatively small city and the craigslist is devoid of bikes. I don't really want to ebay either since I want to be able to ride and examine the bike before buying. Plus I bought 2 of my other bikes used and I just want to have the feeling getting a brand new bike.
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
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Originally posted by: apac
I bought a 2008 Red Allez Elite last august and couldn't be happier. It had a much better geometry than the sequoia, and was IMO worth the upgrade over the regular Allez for the higher quality components and standard brake lever shifters. I've taken it to about 45 mph before and it handled very well.

One thing - make sure you've got a bit of extra dough for the extra stuff. I'd recommend a tail blinker if you're ever riding at night, a lightweight pump, bottle cage, water bottle, and small seat bag containing: patch kit, multitool, tire irons, maybe a few first aid items, and I like to carry a spare tube as well. Maybe a bit overkill, but since I take it on long trips up winding mountain roads and it would truly suck to get stranded 20 miles out. I also dropped about $50 on a cateye spedometer cause the fun part of road cycling is seeing speed + distance :).

Oh I forgot you should get some chain oil for lubing the drive chain every 200-300 miles.

All that stacked the price up a bit more than I'd expected.

P.S. get the red. It looks dead sexy.

edit: oops well I missed the part where you already ordered the blue. Honestly I only got the red cause it's what my LBS had in stock too :).
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I'm glad you like the bike, that just makes me so much more excited for it. I think I'm fine with the blue though, it's growing on me, I like how the black half is in the back as opposed to the front like it is on the red version. I was going to buy the regular Allez last year but I decided to save up for the Elite mainly for the same reasons you did. I mainly can't stand the Sora brake/shift lever where you have to use your thumbs. I also think the Elite looks 10x better and I prefer a compact crankset over a regular double or triple.

As for the extras, I already have pretty much everything I need since I'm a mountain biker. I have front and rear lights, dual use CO2 inflator/mini pump and a seat bag with all the essentials, I'll probably just have to get new replacement tubes for the 700c wheels in case I get a flat which is supposedly much more common on road bikes. I already have a Cat Eye Strada Cadence computer and clipless pedals which I bought last month in anticipation of the new bike. I got both of those for over 50% off retail because of my university cycling club/team discount.

Total I'll be spending just about $1310 after tax since I still need to get road shoes and a couple of nice bottle cages with the bike.
 
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LongCoolMother

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2001
5,675
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the allez elite is really nice-- also quite popular. congrats! I had a fuji team SL before, but I preferred something less harsh. So I built up my current steel bike myself about a year ago. its on a soma smoothie frame (real nice paint job + tange prestige steel), with a reynolds ouzo pro up front, full ultegra, carbon fsa crank arms, rolf sestriere wheels.

building yourself is bit more more expensive, but it ensures everything gets done properly, as bike shops usually wouldn't build with as much care as if it was their own. Also it makes repairs really easy if you aren't too experienced with bike mechanics.
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
4
81
Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
the allez elite is really nice-- also quite popular. congrats! I had a fuji team SL before, but I preferred something less harsh. So I built up my current steel bike myself about a year ago. its on a soma smoothie frame (real nice paint job + tange prestige steel), with a reynolds ouzo pro up front, full ultegra, carbon fsa crank arms, rolf sestriere wheels.

building yourself is bit more more expensive, but it ensures everything gets done properly, as bike shops usually wouldn't build with as much care as if it was their own. Also it makes repairs really easy if you aren't too experienced with bike mechanics.
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Maybe I'll try building myself on my next bike, I do enjoy working with my hands. I thought about it last year but as you said, it's more expensive and I'd also have to buy proper tools, mechanic's stand, etc.

Fortunately the LBS I bought from is a great place unlike another one in my town that has high schoolers build and repair some of the bikes... At the LBS I purchased from, I once brought in my bike because of brake problems and the mechanic spent almost 20 minutes fixing it and didn't even charge me a dime. I didn't even buy the bike from them.
 
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NoShangriLa

Golden Member
Sep 3, 2006
1,652
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Specialized make some good bike for the value, and the Allez Elite has a good frame and Tiagra parts are quite good.

I own the Allez Comp for 18 years and the bike still work great with the 2 drivetrain replacement and 1 hub & front/rear wheel replacement, because I put over 55,000Km in the last 18 years. (It is the only road bike I still own, and I have sold off all other race bike a few years after I quit racing)

105 parts are a bit lighter than Tiagra, however technologies these days are so good that both parts are just as smooth as each other.

I'm sure that you will be enjoying it for years to come.

 
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tallest1

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2001
3,474
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I'll be getting a new road bike soon but I'll be getting mine from bikesdirect.com for sure. I'd rather save an easy $500 through them than have the popular name
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
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Originally posted by: tallest1
I'll be getting a new road bike soon but I'll be getting mine from bikesdirect.com for sure. I'd rather save an easy $500 through them than have the popular name
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A friend of mine bought a BD bike and I helped him do the final assembly on it when it arrived and I have to say I was pretty impressed with it. Final assembly was fairly easy and things like bottom bracket and headset were installed correctly (I've built up a bike from a bare frame mind you).

His is a Mercier Serpens made out of Reynolds 853 tubing (excellent tubing-very lightweight for steel), which makes it very similar to my 2000 LeMond Zurich, and it came equipped with Shimano Ultegra.

I helped him find some decent shoes and he went with Speedplay pedals. He even commutes on it from time to time. :cool:

I rode it around a bit after putting it together and even though it was too big for me it felt very stable and comfortable. I was also surprised by the light weight. I think it felt as light as my LeMond despite the larger frame size.
 
2

2canSAM

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2000
3,390
4
81
Just a plug for Specialized as a bike company. Bought a Rockhopper back in 2000. The frame broke, took it to the LBS and within 5 days they had sent me a new frame. The LBS called up when the frame got there and asked me to come by and check it out before they built it up as the frame they sent was a little different, great I was thinking, getting the shaft on this deal. Drove out to the LBS and my jaw hit the floor when I saw the frame. It was the Stumpjumper Marathon Team, a 1300.00 frame. I only paid 750.00 for the entire bike in 2000. Go Specialized.
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
4
81
Originally posted by: AMCRambler
That seat looks like it's gonna go right up your ass. You sure about this?
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:D it's actually pretty comfortable. Obviously you can't see how wide it is from the side.


Originally posted by: 2canSAM
Just a plug for Specialized as a bike company. Bought a Rockhopper back in 2000. The frame broke, took it to the LBS and within 5 days they had sent me a new frame. The LBS called up when the frame got there and asked me to come by and check it out before they built it up as the frame they sent was a little different, great I was thinking, getting the shaft on this deal. Drove out to the LBS and my jaw hit the floor when I saw the frame. It was the Stumpjumper Marathon Team, a 1300.00 frame. I only paid 750.00 for the entire bike in 2000. Go Specialized.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's pretty awesome. I know they have a lifetime warranty on their frames and I guess it's pretty uncommon to have a frame break so they can probably afford to send you an expensive frame to keep you satisfied.
 
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