velociraptor

I wanted to build up a new Allez Smartweld for the spring – without breaking the bank.

After getting a fantastic discount on the frameset from my LBS, I scoured the interwebs for good deals on new/NOS parts.

I've arrived at right around the $2k mark on this, so I don't know if I've really *saved* a whole lot of money compared to other AI bikes currently on the market – but it will be a fun build regardless (I promised my 4yr old she could help).

dtrain

Careful - my 4yo daughter did some really poor work on my recent build.

Have fun!

RedVVing19

If you dont mind me asking, whats a "good" deal on that frame?

caloso

I approve. That's going to be an outstanding bike.

velociraptor

I assure you, she's an expert 'parts-holder' and 'wrench-fetcher'

Personally, I think the MSRP is pretty darn fair for this particular frameset. I'll just say that my LBS took very good care of me on this purchase.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to riding it!

rpenmanparker 

Looking good. And Force is great stuff. You'll love it. I guess the 10 speed stuff was very cost effective, huh?

velociraptor

Absolutely. NOS from eBay. Everybody's practically giving it away at cost.

Edonis13

thats EXACTLY what I'm thinking about doing for a race bike. Should be an awesome bike.

Lazyass

I like those frames. I would have got the multi colored one, though.

rjones28 

I got the multi-colored one last spring. Very nice.

nastystang

Does the $2k include the Garmin and sensors? Looks like a fun project and should be a fun bike to ride. Not a SRAM fan personally but you do have a really nice selection of parts no doubt. Curious about what she weighs all said and done. Post up some post build pictures for sure and tell us how it rides. I swear I am going to do a build myself someday. These are the threads that get me going.

velociraptor

Thanks!

I ALMOST ordered the multi-keyline version... very pretty detailing. But ultimately, I've wanted an all-black frameset for a long time, so I went for that one. And it's gorgeous in person, BTW. The pics don't do it justice.

It includes the extra sensor pictured, but not the 510 bundle. I got that for Christmas and it's bundled sensor is on my other bike. I really only threw the 510 box in the pic for posterity, lol.

You should go for it! These modern bikes are so ridiculously easy to build... they're almost plug & play.

The only finesse that's required is wrapping the bar tape – and of course the final tuning.

Will do!

kbarch

OK, you've convinced me; I'm gonna get some, too! Shifters, anyhow. Have a mix of Apex and Rival bits on the Felt currently, and need to replace the shifters. The rear shifter had gotten really stiff shifting to bigger cogs and it appears that the damage it suffered in a crash last year has been aggravated and is increasingly evident.

velociraptor

Here's a really great price on a new set of Force shifters @ $282.90: New SRAM Force 2 x 10 Speed Double Tap Road Bike Shifters Brake Levers Set 0LOSS | eBay

And a new set of Rival @ $181.50: SRAM Rival Doubletap 10 Speed Carbon Fiber Road Bike Shifters Brake Shift Levers | eBay

I've bought several items from this seller and can say they are excellent.

*Edit: I will add if you are patient and proactive, you can get really fantastic deals. I pieced that Force set together over the course of 2 months and came in under the $500 mark for everything, including the cassette & chain – all brand new in sealed boxes.

rpenmanparker 

I hope the chain works out for you. My experience with Red chains was very bad, noisy, noisy, noisy. The problem went away when I switched to KMC. Most folks blame the Red cassette for the noise, because it is hollow, but I have no trouble with them on three bikes as long as I use the KMC X10 SL chain.

velociraptor

I use this exact chain & cassette on 2 other bikes and I've never had any problems. But I have always wanted to try a KMC chain (lot's of friends rave about it).

Hmmm... now you've got me thinking... I'll bet the gold X10SL would look pretty cool on this bike.

rpenmanparker 

You'll more than likely be okay. I suspect the noise is due to several factors combined like the chain, cassette, and maybe even also a carbon frame or carbon wheels. The chain will wear out soon enough. No sense in spending more to get the gold KMC chain now. It won't be that long before you will need a replacement anyway.

velociraptor

All staged & ready for the build tomorrow:

geluzj

Great choices of frame and components! Can't wait to see the build. The white accents on the 3T bits are way cool.

nemeseri

Can't wait to see the bike built up. I wanted to buy the same frameset in multi-keyline, but Specialized was out of my size until March.
I'd have put my 6800 ultegra on it, but ended up with a caad10.

Great value! Good luck with the build!

hueyhoolihan

oh my! i'm soooo hanging on by the skin of my teeth on the other end of the bell curve.

revchuck 

I'm looking forward to seeing this build too. I see you went with white cable housing.

Re: SRAM chains, the 1051 is fine. Most of the racers where I live go with the 1031, since it's cheaper, it works just as well, and the weight difference isn't noticeable. The basic KMC is fine too. I've raced with both with no complaints.

Campag4life

Sweet. Love your choice of parts. People love their Allez smartwelds.
I look forward to the build along with the other guys. Great build for the $$$.
If I were a younger man with more flexible body, I would own an Allez...a great race bike value in cycling.

velociraptor

In the stand ready to begin:

velociraptor

On the home stretch...

Just have to run the cables, wrap the bars, throw on the pedals and tune.

Did a preliminary weigh-in; should end up right around 16.5 lbs when finished.