billiam88

Hi All,

I recently purchased a fairly worn 2013 Allez Compact. I'm guessing it's 2013 because it's an 8-speed and looks identical to the images I found of a 2013 Allez Compact online (which I can't post yet)

The brakes are rusted so I need to replace those and I'd like to look at some affordable options to make this bike just a little bit better. I'm not the most avid cyclist, I mainly use this bike for short rides to work and the occasional 20-mile trip, so I don't need a complete overhaul or to have an expensive bike. My local bike shop suggested I install all new Shimano 105 groupset components but at that cost, I'd be better off just buying a new bike IMO.

if anyone has some suggestions for

- Brake Calipers
- New Cassette w/ Ratio for Flat Rides (8-speed)
- any other small things to improve the ride quality

it would be an awesome help and greatly appreciated, this is my first road bike and I'm looking forward to getting into riding!

thanks!

luevelvet

You have a few ways to look at it. Have a LBS (local bike shop) make recommendations and go with it (or try to convince them for cheaper parts). Or you can look at sourcing the pieces that need to be replaced yourself and either doing the work yourself or having the LBS install the parts. They will still charge you for the installation of course but they’ll also be able to tweak and get everything right.

But this all depends on how all of the other individual components look but you don’t have to go with the latest 105 (will that even work with an 8sp cassette?) rather you can look into the older 5700/5800 series. Or you can go down a level and use Tiagra parts instead. Tektro brakes would suffice for what you're looking to do which may be cheaper but then you’d have to pick and choose as mentioned above.

Its not necessarily cheaper to fix up an older bike but if it’s still a good frame and wheels are good then you can’t go wrong by going that route.

MinnMan

More or less what luevelvet said - tiagra or tektro brakes. For a new 8 speed road cassette, you'll be looking at Shimano Sora or Claris. If you need a new cassette, then you probably also need a new chain.

I hope you didn't pay too much for the bike. A new basic Allez is probably around $850. The brakes, cassette, and chain will probably run you $150, assuming you install them yourself. But then probably you'll need new tires and assorted other things.

Good luck and enjoy the riding.

billiam88

right, 105 is 10-speed so its an intensive conversion. I don't blame my bike shop for trying to sell me on it .

I think for now I'm mainly focused on getting this bike in good working condition and throw in some small upgrades where I can. My gears were slipping so I just ordered a Shimano HG-50 8-spd cassette, an easy $25 spent. Now I'm looking at brakes, you said Tektro are fine but if I wanted to go Tiagra or Ultegra could those also fit, there are so many brake options i'm just not sure what will fit without having to drill new holes into my frame

Ogsarg

Out of curiosity, did the shop say why they thought you should get a complete new groupset? Was there something other than bad brakes and cassette? If the bike has problems shifting, or other drivetrain issues, changing the brakes and cassette isn't going to make it a decent bike to ride.

I guess I'd just caution that you really know what you need before you start buying parts.

billiam88

not that I know of, shifting has been fine besides specific gears slipping. I'm getting new brakes just because they are rusted, but they actually work great still.

luevelvet

If you can, post a pic of the brakes in their current state. Just remove the first H from the URL

Abe_Froman

$25 cassette, $20 chain, brakes that work.

After that, buy the best tires your budget will allow, and call it a day. Ride it until if and when you think the bike isnt doing the job anymore.

Edit: If the brakes really do work fine but just have some surface rust in spots, thats easily solvable. Naval Jelly, or some vinegar and aluminum foil will clean it up quickly.

MinnMan

Yeah, when I summed to $150 for chain, cassette, and brakes, that was too much. Tektro 540 brakes will be maybe $40, and Tiagra brakes a little more.

The OP mentioned Ultegra brakes - that's not worth the expense on a 6 y.o entry-level bike, IMHO.

billiam88

thanks for the tip, these are Tektro Dual-Pivot I think. Do the Tiagra mount the same?

ttps://ibb.co/02VXTqZ

ttps://ibb.co/3mfb5Dz

ttps://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-BR-4700-Tiagra-Caliper-Bicycle/dp/B01AU1D0M8

luevelvet

I see others have chimed in as well and I would certainly echo their sentiments here. Pretty standard setup IMO and the Tektro should work for you. You may consider posting in the Bike Mechanics sub-forum if you decide to try and tackle this yourself.

billiam88

checking in a few months later and to thank everyone for their help!

happy to say since buying the bike it's finally in great mechanical condition (IMO) and rides amazing, the best part is I was able to do all of it myself with some cheap tools purchased on Amazon. Here's what I ended up doing

- Shimano Sora 8-spd Cassette
- Shimano Chain
- Tiagra front and rear brakes
- New brake and shift cables w/ housing
- New handlebar wrap
- Shimano SPD pedals
- Shoes and Cleats
- Brooks C15 Saddle

all-in-all, including the cost of the bike I spent about $800+, but $150 of that being tools and shoes. I probably could have gotten a decent brand new bike for that money but this bike now feels like my own and I learned somethings along the way.

there are a few things I'd like to do but it's purely aesthetic at this point so I'll wait a bit, but a big thing is replacing the shift levers since mine are visibly worn in appearance (but still work fine). Can I use any 8-speed shifters or do they have to be original to my groupset? which would be the Shimano RD-2300. any good recs for nice looking and affordable shifters?


thanks and once I get my new saddle delivered i'll post some pics!