General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Specialized Bikes Rss Feed  
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2006-09-13 4:02 PM

Member
15

Beaumont, Texas
Subject: Specialized Bikes
I am looking for my first road bike and the LBS has a Specialized Allez Elite on sale for $1k. Is that a decent bike for the money? Do any of you ride Specialized bikes? My brother-in-law just bought a Specialized Transition Elite and loves it...but I'm still looking.



(06AllezElite18_Red_l.jpg)



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2006-09-13 4:16 PM
in reply to: #540046

Master
1315
1000100100100
Shreveport, LA
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
$1K is not a terrible price but it is not a steal (~$200 off sticker for the double - DON'T buy a triple)

I am not sure about the Sugio cranks, but the 105 components will do you well. In this price range, full 105 or a 105/ultegra mix is what you will be expecting.

It is a full aluminum frame with a carbon fork, which is not quite as good as having carbon seat stays, but the Zertz inserts in the fork and the carbon seat post will help to control vibration issues.

I have a Specialized Tarmac with full ultegra and FSA carbon cranks and love it. The geometry fit me well and I loved the way the bike feels. (It looks almost identical to the bike above - I love the red and the lines of the bike).

Ride some others in this price range (Trek 1500 or 2100, Giant OCR 1 (??), etc) or even look for a higher end used bike. I got my Tarmac (full carbon) for ~$1200 and it had only 500 miles on it.

Like anyone will tell you - fit is the most important aspect, so even if it is a good price it is not worth it.



Edited by mnewton 2006-09-13 4:18 PM
2006-09-13 4:52 PM
in reply to: #540046

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Extreme Veteran
411
100100100100
Abilene, Texas
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
Those wheels are not great. I'd see if you the bike shop will let you upgrade the wheels if you can for a bit more money.
It's a good looking thing that's for sure.
2006-09-13 5:06 PM
in reply to: #540046

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Veteran
159
1002525
Seattle
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes

a friend of mine has that bike, and he loves it.  he's put quite a few miles on it, and been very happy with it. 

if this is your first road bike, you should be fine.  you can always upgrade parts as you wear them out or want to reduce weight etc.

2006-09-13 6:41 PM
in reply to: #540046

New user
2

Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
I have the '05 model and love it. It is my first road bike. I have put a lot of miles on it with no problems.
2006-09-13 7:29 PM
in reply to: #540046

New user
13

Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
what's wrong with tthe triple?


2006-09-13 11:22 PM
in reply to: #540352

Master
1315
1000100100100
Shreveport, LA
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
ccuff - 2006-09-13 7:29 PM

what's wrong with tthe triple?


The problem with the triple is the front derailleur messes up on almost all triples.

It easier to either get a compact crankset or switch to different cassette than to get a triple.

I've had both and love the double.

IMO, the only time a triple makes sense is in very mountainous terrain.
2006-09-14 11:11 AM
in reply to: #540530

Member
15

Beaumont, Texas
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
trust me, southeast texas does not count as mountainous terrain...
2006-09-14 11:44 AM
in reply to: #541081

Master
1315
1000100100100
Shreveport, LA
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
JBS - 2006-09-14 11:11 AM

trust me, southeast texas does not count as mountainous terrain...


The more that I think about it, the better deal it sounds if it comes with a fitting and a year of maintenance plus you get the warranty. (Assuming it fits)
2006-09-14 12:28 PM
in reply to: #541131

Member
15

Beaumont, Texas
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
The guy at the LBS said it fit...it feals comfortable, but I don't know &^%$ about cycling. This will be my first road bike. I still have to outfit it with pedals, computer, shoes and the like...do you recommend anything?
2006-09-14 1:58 PM
in reply to: #541195

Master
1315
1000100100100
Shreveport, LA
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
JBS - 2006-09-14 12:28 PM

The guy at the LBS said it fit...it feals comfortable, but I don't know &^%$ about cycling. This will be my first road bike. I still have to outfit it with pedals, computer, shoes and the like...do you recommend anything?


Computer - Cateye Astraele 8 - It has all the functions you will need at a great price.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=16439&item=40-1...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Cateye-Astrale-8-Bicycle-Cycle-Computer-2006-NE...

Shoes - http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20574&estore_ID...

Pedals - Either Look or Speedplay are what most people prefer (I have Looks):
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=13998&subcatego...

You can also look around on Ebay for some of these.

The best thing to do is to look around and post questions about pedals, etc in a new thread. Don't even worry about the computer, most people will say the Cateye 8.

Also, your LBS may give you 10-25% off that stuff since you are buying the bike from them. Ask them if they do that kind of deal.


2006-09-14 2:20 PM
in reply to: #540530

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Pro
4578
20002000500252525
Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
mnewton - 2006-09-13 9:22 PM

The problem with the triple is the front derailleur messes up on almost all triples.



Hell yeah! Trek, why can't you make your WSD bikes with a double?
2006-09-14 7:20 PM
in reply to: #540046

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Veteran
279
100100252525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
I have that same bike in the triple. Picked it up in June and love it so far... no complaints.
2006-09-14 8:07 PM
in reply to: #540046

New user
13

Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
If anyone is familiar with Morgantown WV, it is 'hilly'. We have a challenging race here. I need some help on the Motown Tri bike course and I'm trying to decide whether to run away from a triple if it comes my way, versus switch to a compact (if I can) on my Trek 300 Elance (c. 1986).

Thanks for any comments
CC
2006-09-14 8:19 PM
in reply to: #541195

Extreme Veteran
389
100100100252525
Central Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
Just out of curiousity are you buying this from the LBS right off of I10 in Beaumont?
2006-09-15 10:42 AM
in reply to: #541930

Member
15

Beaumont, Texas
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
Yes...I forgot the guys name, but he seems very helpful and I hope knowledgeable. Do you know the guys over there? What part of cajun country are you in?


2006-09-15 11:09 AM
in reply to: #540530

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Master
3019
20001000
West Jordan, UT
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes

mnewton - 2006-09-13 10:22 PM
ccuff - 2006-09-13 7:29 PM what's wrong with tthe triple?
The problem with the triple is the front derailleur messes up on almost all triples. It easier to either get a compact crankset or switch to different cassette than to get a triple. I've had both and love the double. IMO, the only time a triple makes sense is in very mountainous terrain.

 

Every bike I have ever had has had a triple and I have never had an issue with shifting. Maybe you lose a fraction of a second in shifting, but big deal. That being said, if you don't have any big hills you plan on riding, save a few grams by getting the double if it is the same price or cheaper. But, don't go to extreme measures or pay much more to get a double.



Edited by tkbslc 2006-09-15 11:09 AM
2006-09-15 11:24 AM
in reply to: #542454

Extreme Veteran
389
100100100252525
Central Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
Im actually from FT Polk. Id been in Houston over Labor Day weekend and had stopped into that shop on the way back to have make a minor adjustment on my bike. Yes, they did seem for helpful. If you want the rest of my opinion though PM me.
2006-09-15 1:33 PM
in reply to: #542500

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
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Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
tkbslc - 2006-09-15 11:09 AM

Every bike I have ever had has had a triple and I have never had an issue with shifting. Maybe you lose a fraction of a second in shifting, but big deal. That being said, if you don't have any big hills you plan on riding, save a few grams by getting the double if it is the same price or cheaper. But, don't go to extreme measures or pay much more to get a double.

I've said this repeatedly, my first bike (10K miles+) and my current road bike (6K miles+) both have triples as I was doing annual rides around Lake Tahoe when I bought them. I have never had an issue with shifting on either of those bikes. Keep 'em clean, keep 'em adjusted.

2006-09-15 5:59 PM
in reply to: #540046

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Pro
4578
20002000500252525
Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
I keep my bikes really clean. They are adjusted properly. But the triple just doesn't shift as well as the double and I eventually just locked it out.

I just want a choice. Trek are you listening?

Edited by jeng 2006-09-15 5:59 PM
2006-09-15 7:36 PM
in reply to: #540046

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Champion
5807
5000500100100100
Henderson NV
Subject: RE: Specialized Bikes
Same bike at a LBS here in Henderson NV is on sale for $600 and since it is an 06 he said he would deal. May not be the best , but very pretty.


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