travis85904

Hey I am new to road cycling, and mainly want something to help me stay in shape for skiing. I will be riding paced bicycle trails. I have been trying to find a bike for a while now and was hoping to keep it on a budget of around $500, however from all the reading i've done it seems like I can get a much better bike that will last a lot longer by spending just a little bit more. Which brings me to the Specialized Allez DSW SL Comp. I took this one for a ride at my LBS and really liked it. It is quite a bit more than I was hoping to spend ($1460) so I wanted to get some opinions of whether it is truly worth the extra money vs an entry level bike (trek 1.1, trek 1.2, etc) for someone who will be doing a 30 mile ride 2-4 times a week. I know that with the 105 components that makes it alot more durable and that is definetely one of the selling points for me, other than the fact that the bike was just plain awesome to ride on. Thanks in advance.

Specialized Allez DSW SL Comp - Gregg's Cycles

rms13

It will be no more durable. You basically pay for weight and performance (maybe slightly smoother shifting, better breaking and less flex from frame, chain rings etc)

105 is certainly a bomb proof groupset but even well maintained Claris bike will last for years. Do you have Performance Bike near you? They have some 105 bikes for under $1000 and lots of good deals on the entry level

Owlex

When I bought my Allez (a 2016 DSW Elite), I bought it because of the color. I was already planning on swapping the groupset. Orange is sweet.


That being said, while I was riding it, waiting on the SRAM group to come in, I honestly had very few complaints about the 2x10 Tiagra groupset. Sure maybe not as smooth or precise as higher end groups, but if you're only planning to ride every now and again in the offseason from skiing then I think you'd be fine at a Tiagra level groupset.


I dunno just my .02

VegasTriker

The bike store you list shows all sizes for that bike are "out of stock" so maybe you are out of luck. I really liked Shimano 105 drive train components. Only went through two rear derailleurs in 27K miles and it worked perfectly right up until it broke.

travis85904

i found an 06 trek 1500 for $350. It has 105 front derailleur and brakes and ultegra rear derailleur. Im thinking about going and checking it out today. Anybody have any info on this bike? I definitely like the more relaxed fit of the allez so hopefully the 1500 is relaxed as well. I tried out a cannondale caad10 and absolutely didn't like the aggressive fit of the frame at all.

travis85904

I also found an 05 specialized allez comp triple that mostly ultegra with dura ace rear derailleur for 700. I'm going to look at this one in a few hours. Would this one be worth 700?

rms13

I would pay half that if it's in good shape. For 700 your better off wirh a brand new Allez with entry level components. By the way, Allez is a race bike with aggressive geometry not what would be considered a relaxed fit

deapee

Was going to mention what @rms13 said. Truthfully, I think you'd want a more relaxed bike for a few reason:

- More comfortable for longer (especially for a newer rider)
- You will theoretically (tweaking aside) be in a more upright position and thus fighting more wind -- paved bike paths are often NOT the place to be zipping around as fast as possible because of kids, others, walkers, groundhogs, etc etc...In reality that's a small difference, but for what you want, I wouldn't worry one bit about being aero / slammed or one bit about the weight of the bike whatsoever.

I think it would be worth a 4 hour drive even to get someone's stock bike they bought last year, never rode, and are getting rid of for 50% because their wife is making them sell it.

Look for a 1-3 year old Roubaix or Domane in my opinion. Open it up to further away, and make sure they're comfortable with you taking it to their local bike shop for a quick checkover. That's what I would do.

PS...I do think an Allez is a very nice bike and you'd be very happy with it...Look at the Diverge too, if you do decide to up the amount you can spend.

HazeT

Agreed. It is a 10 years old bike. the frame quality and groupset improved a lot ever since. If you break a derailleur for example it may be harder to find a replacement.
for $700 you can find 2013 and newer on craigslist. And by the way, craigslist is an excellent place to find great deals.
Look for Allez, CAAD 10, Secteur, Defy, Defy advanced, roubaix on your metro area craigs list and probably there will be many bikes at a interesting price.

For example, in my area:
2014 Cannondale CAAD10 Road Bike 56cm : $850 for a 2014 CAAD10. being craigslist you can probably talk it down to 750.
2015 Giant Defy 2 M/L : $800 for a 2015 giant Defy with 100 miles on it. That is one week of the riding.

r8dr_rider

That alum brushed frame is sweet. I have the 2015 matte black model. Love it! Upgraded the saddle, crank, brakes and wheels. But that was for personal preference not need. This bike will take you anywhere you need. I've done century's and 18% grade climbs. It will out perform you. Unless your a pro

pavsci2003

When you step up to the dsw comp from the elite you get a much better fork too...the one on the elite is decent-carbon with alloy steerer. the one on the comp is the same as the one one on the tarmac -full carbon and super light.

The emonda alr is a solid option right now...some lbs nearby me are selling them at 1300. Fuji Roubaix's aren't terrible either, especially if you get it buy during a performance double or triple point sale. I would also throw in the motobecane omni-strada if you're open to online.

travis85904

I found a trek domane 2.0 at a lbs for $1000. I just have to wait for them to assemble it then I'm gonna try it out on Thursday. Honestly I still really do like the Allez comp tho. How do the 2 compare?

travis85904

And I've been looking a lot on Craigslist but it seems like most of what I'm finding is either super high end stuff or just plain overpriced and seller won't budge

San Pedro

My first road bike was the 2015 allez elite, which I have been putting to good use and enjoying very much. I kind of regret not stepping up to the 105 for better fork, wheels, and groupset, but oh well, it gives me something to dream of for my next bike, which will probably happen if I move back to the states next spring.

So go for that Allez if can afford and like it.

travis85904

So I'm going to try out the domane 2.0 tomorrow and I'm thinking that if I end up buying it I will use the extra cash I save to buy an ultegra group set online. I found one on Ribble for just over $500, then I will take the tiara group and try to sell it for at least 200. Does that sound like a good way to use the extra money? Or am i better off spending the money elsewhere/ pocketing the difference?

San Pedro

If you want a different groupset at the outset, get a bike with it already installed. Other parts of the bike will be a step up as well, and you won't have to fuss with the installation and selling of he old parts.

travis85904

That's what I thought but with the sale on the domane 2.0 right now it will only cost me $1000. The Domane 2.3 is $1679 and only comes with a 105 and that was the only difference i could find. Wheels, tires, fork, etc were all the same as the 2.0