nomit

I need advice on buying my first road bike so I can stop using my mountain bike on the road and be better equipped to do longer rides (150km<. My budget is $2500 Canadian and I am comfortable with endurance and race geometries but have a preference for race. My options are;

•buy new. I’m currently eyeing the Specialized Allez but I definitely need bike recommendations as I do not really know where to start. I’m torn between going for the base build which comes with the 8-speed Claris groupset and the Axis Sport wheelset while the Elite build comes with a 105 groupset and a better DT460 wheelset with sealed bearings. My thinking is that if I go for the base build, I’d have a pretty good bike but the components can be better (especially the wheelset), hence the dilemma between the base and the higher build level.

•my second option is to buy used as I can have a better frame and better components like Ultegra and even have Di2 within my budget ($2500) if I find the good deals. The downside of this option is that there’s no warranty, seller honesty (crashed bikes), and my wallet would take a bigger hit immediately instead of buying new and having the bike financed over a year.

To summarize, I’m torn between buying the lowest build spec which would still be better than a mountain bike on the road; buying a higher specced build new for the better components and longevity; and buying used and having even better components.

rubiksoval

Cheap components wear out surprisingly quickly if you ride consistently.

I wouldn't go with anything less than Tiagra/105, myself. Even my 105 stuff began needing replacement after 15,000 miles or so (right shifter, derailleur pulleys, front derailleur; think it was a dud, though).

My first bike with Sora (though this was 9 speed and a while ago) didn't even it make it 5000 miles before I'd broken multiple spokes and the shifters started acting up.

shelbyfv

At your level of experience, I think you would be better served buying new 105 than taking a chance on something used. Not everyone thinks financing a toy is a good idea but I'll bet you know that.... Ask a mod to delete your duplicate thread.

eric1971

105 is a great groupset that will serve you well for many years without leaving you wanting more. If you buy the Claris bike, you'll most likely be upgrading inside of a year.

dr_max

In 2004 when I decided to buy a road bike I hesitated between a Specialized Allez at $1500 or a used Devinci Imola half carbon half dura ace half 105.

I ended up buying the Devinci Imola, replaced every 105 part by Dura-Ace parts bought 50% discount on eBay. Rode 10 000km on that bike.

I bought a new $2400 BMC Promachine SLC01 frame 3 years after and transferred all the Dura-Ace components. Rode 50 000km on that bike in 9 years and the Dura-Ace shifters started to wear out.

then I assembled a BMC TT02 frame from a BMC TT03 I stripped getting it on eBay, raced my Ironman triathlons on it.

then bought a 2016 BMC Roadmachine 01 for $2300 on eBay in 2017 and got a $7900 warranty replacement frame BMC Roadmachine 01 One in 2019.

on my 16 years journey from buying/selling/assembling bikes I turned around 2000$ profit, including the 3 bikes I have in my basement.

Now, I don’t know what are your plans, interests or your capabilities. But I learned a lot through all the YouTube tech videos online and had some tips from friends along the way. Today, I never have to go to a bike shop for a bike problem. I fix them myself.

Now you decide what your story will be.

shelbyfv

Yep, gotta love the Internet!

y2zipper

I can tell you as someone that bought a bike with the claris groupset to start with that you should get something better if you can afford it and know you'll ride consistently, especially considering your budget. I ended up financing a new toy this month because upgrading to what I wanted from the entry level price point cost so much it made more sense for me to just buy another bike.