X-LinkedRider

Hey everyone,

I have like 6 or so bikes but really no decent road bikes besides my vintage letour which is not capable of of much without a lot of money spent. Being that I want to get into road riding and perhaps some racing in 2010, I am picking up a used Specialized Allez from somebody up the street. It has only been used twice I am paying 400 for it. Originally priced at 819 or something. The bike will come with upgraded pedal system and it is in my size. Now I know there are quite a few things to make it competitive but, as I said before, this is my entry level and first real road bike. If it takes well, I will most likely buy a new bike at the end of next season.

linux_author

had a 2003 Allez triple equipped w/105 components - nice light frame

rode the heck out of it for five years, then turned it into a singlespeed and sold it

good bike, IMHO, and you're getting it for a good price...

X-LinkedRider

Thank you. He wanted 450 for it, but I can really only afford 400 and saw a similar one for about 350 but not as new or in good shape. I offered 4 and I live right up the street. I think it is a good price too. Really as long as I ride it, it will be worth the retail you know.
Value increases with every mile put on it during your ownership. I feel anyways.

X-LinkedRider

Like I said, fairly new to road biking aside from vintage, are the Tiagra components pretty much a rebranded Shimano 105 setup or what is the difference?

tagaproject6

Nice find!

helmut

There's not much difference between Tiagra and 105, except Tiagra is 9 spd and 105 is 10. However, I think Tiagra is going 10 speed next year, so I don't have a clue what the difference will be then. I'd probably opt for Tiagra is that were the case and save my money.

X-LinkedRider

I was thinking that this bike was 24 spd, not 27. Maybe I was incorrect. Only makes it better anyways. I am just waiting for the phone call to go pick it up and I will inspect it further. I am pretty excited about it either way.

tagaproject6

Pics after the purchase are in order!

acaurora

Well if the bike was originally priced at the <$900 range, I think that probably is the base model of the entry level, which is the same as mine. Sora shifters... I mean it still is a great deal, and if you are sure it has Tiagra shifters all the better. I'm just saying, I wish I had spent the extra $300ish for the next step up from the base model to get Tiagra / 105 brifters

I actually have the Allez, it is a great bike regardless.

X-LinkedRider

Pictures are here! And yes you are right, with the Sora shifters, it is pretty base, but still a hell of a bike for 400 with pedals, and some accessories.

acaurora

Cool deal! Enjoy it!

X-LinkedRider

Thanks. I just picked it up about an hour ago so I only got to ride like 2 miles before it got too dark.

wirelessness

Should get the job done nicely.

rugerben

And no ride report yet? Weak.

Enjoy. that's a very nice bike (and worthy of upgrades as you continue to ride the bejeebers out of it.)

ridethecliche

That's going to be a great first bike.

Enjoy it.

When you get a new bike, it'll be perfect for a backup/bad weather ride.

X-LinkedRider

Exactly what I figure. It won't take me to any pole positions but it should take me far enough, long enough for me to really figure out what I want. And yes, it is worthy of a few upgrades. 2010 will be a fun year.

X-LinkedRider

Ok, so I know it wasn't for very long but I wanted to test it out and see what needed to be adjusted, so I took my first 8-10 mile ride today. I will say, I love this bike. It is a completely different ride than my FCR which I also love, for touring and riding int he rain.

I had the tires pumped up to 110 and and was trying to bail through all the gears on our much hilly terrain here in the Lehigh Valley. My first time using brifters actually while riding and it only took 1 attempt to figure them out. Easy as pie.

In regards to the gearing, it is a 9 Speed Tiagra Derailleur but only 8 spd Cassette. Does this mean I would have to upgrade the brifters as well if I upgraded to Tiagra 9 speed?