squachie

Thanks Merlin, all it takes is a little extra time!

The Golden Boy 

Sorry for not paying attention to the dates!


I am kind of struck by the amount of Newbies that posted in this thread.

Zieleman

It's nice to see this thread back alive. It may not be steel, but it's definitely C&V IMO. It's such a nice ride, I made most of my mileage on it the past year. Some pics in this old thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ke!?highlight=

catonec 

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...c#.UuI-hbQo5Ag

bike pedia only goes back to 93 but it says the epic was made 93, 94, 04, 05, 07, 08

however I also see listings for the epic comp, epic pro, & the epic SE.

the 93 epic msrp was $1192.00 105 sc groupo

squachie

Here is a pic of the typical imperfections that the bicycle had, Though a newbie to this Forum, I have been reviving vintage bikes for quite awhile in my spare time. I am including a little video of how I remove superficial scratches on your treasured steed

cb400bill

Note that the Epics made after the 90's were mountain bikes, not road bikes.

Chuckk

I found an Epic gatefold in the '88 Specialized catalog - interesting because it shows the lug assembly.

Oldairhead 

I also had an Epic Allez that looks identical to the OP's bike only mine had an aluminum fork. It was purchased in 1989 and had Shimano 105 7 speed originally. I later changed it to 8 speed 105. I rode it for about 12 years and by then it started to feel "dead" to me. I sold it on eBay for $400 and bought a Pegoretti in 2002.

I still have the original 105 group. Anybody???

cderalow

I saved one of these from landfill death over the weekend. Unknown year, allez epic in yellow, square patterned carbon, 600 tricolor on it (full group).

was wearing a set of Nisi countach tubular rims (front was beyond gone, though should have saved it for the hub, now kicking myself).

was figuring I'd rebuild it with period correct bits, though wanted to see if I could update the cassette to running 9 of 10 gears in friction mode, but I figure if I keep it correct, Id be limited by the rear hub and spacing (126mm)

I'll have to get some photos tonight.

Mine also has an aluminum fork

ennchicago

I have been eyeing one of these with 105 on Craigslist in my size but the seller wants $500, too rich for my blood.

I am really curious to get a sense of how they ride, though. There is a lot of info online on the history, construction, etc., but not a ton on how they compare to steel bikes of similar vintage.

cderalow

Eric67ct

Hi all!
This is my first post here folks and I am by no means an avid rider.

I bought my Epic Allez 105 back on 9/14/92. I only rode it about a dozen times and had it hanging on hooks for the past 20 years. I just cleaned it up this past weekend and decided to get some prices on what I could sell it for. Everything in the pictures here I bought with the bike. The only item that I am still looking for are the clip on pedals (I think they are Shimano), but other than that this bike is complete.

Does anyone know since this is a hardly-ridden bike (like I mentioned before I only rode it about a dozen times in the 90's) what the asking price is?

Thanks everyone for your expertise/advice on this!

Eric

squachie

in the condition pictured it should sell easily for $200 to $300. I would recommend a frame off clean and polish to make the bike "pop". Take a look at mine in this thread, which I think is a 1990 not a 92'. I have turned down offer's of $300 just for the frame and fork. I recommend removing the $8 pedals, if you cannot find the original shimano w/toeclips. Sell it without pedals. I feel a buyer may think where else did this guy skimp on the bike over the years. you need to round up grey crank bolt caps like the original. My question would be if the bike has not been ridden much then where are the pedals, the original seatpost bartape? maybe the seat? most were lycra but yours is of era. Most had a black stem too. on a cable housing replacement for the rear derailleur you should have a step down ferrulle in the diving helmet boss. Did you buy the bike new or used? when I see tires like that it makes me think the bike been used rougher than its intended purpose possibly ? maybe not but that is what some people my think. It all depends on what you want for the bike and whether the money if any you put in the bike will you get it out or just leave it alone. Pristine condition to the right buyer, these can bring upwards of $600 or more. They must be near perfect, need nothing. Up to you on where you take it from here. If not all in on a frame off refurbish, leave it alone and sell it for less. Beautiful bike you have, it will make someone happy for sure. Not knowing your venue for selling, you may get quite a bit more by selling on Ebay vs Craigslist. Hope this helps

Eric67ct

This does help! Thanks! I just wanted to provide an update. I found a buyer for $400 on eBay (plus $100 shipping) so I am overall very happy with the sale. It's taking a l-o-n-g trip from CT to CA! I am happy that it'll see better weather!

-E

squachie

Not knowing much about Ebay. How does one sell a bike for a winning bid of $280 then relist the same bike for buy it now and get $400. I was watching your bike on Ebay. Did you in essence not get what you were hoping for at auction with only one bidder, then have someone be the second bidder and buy your own bike. Then decide to list for more what you were wanting @ $400?

BicycleMonkey

I just picked up this Allez Epic Pro frameset. I'm not too excited about the custom paint work but for $75 plus shipping I figured I'd pull the plug.

plonz 

Congratulations I was following this auction on eBay and am glad to see someone here got it. I think the guy did a nice job keeping the custom refinish subtle.

Seller had a couple of other frames that looked like they were going to close at good prices.

jetboy 

needs a gold fork! I do like those frames...

Lazyass

An LBS has had this one forever, they've dropped the price to $199. If it's there after I'm done buying a million dollars in Christmas presents I will have to go get it.

BicycleMonkey

I know, I was looking back over the pics and thought that the sliver fork now looks out of place with the gold lugs. I do computer work for a body shop and I think I'll have them mask it off and remove the gold from the lugs and put regular old transparent clear coat on it.

FullGas

have a '91 Allez Epic (yellow graphics) with full DA 8-spd STI that I purchased new in '92.

have put over 60K miles on it with virtually no issues. only components that aren't original are the saddle and wheels.

Specialized advised retiring these frames after a certain time span (ten years?), however mine has the dark gray second-gen bottom bracket shell which supposedly cured the frame failure issue. so, I take their caution as a legal CYA move. two of the alum lugs do show some minor surface galvanic corrosion, but it doesn't cause me any particular concern.

I still put a thousand miles a year on it as a back-up bike. love the DA 8-speed group, one of Shimano's best imo.

some larger riders said the Allez Epic was 'noodly' under hard effort, but I've never noticed any frame flex.

drewman

squachie - love what you did to your frame. it looks incredible... what did you use to clean it/shine it up? I am about to get a 92/93 Epic and it needs a real good cleaning. Would love it if I could get it to look like yours.

squachie

I have a video here that shows how I take care of the superficial scratches. I first take off the components, I wash off road debris and dirt, then i use WD40 to remove any grease and grime. Then use a mild household cleaner to remove the WD40. Everything is done using only cotton rags like cut up t-shirts and old socks. Then I start the polishing, only by hand and I only use Turtle Wax brand polishing compound. NOT RUBBING COMPOUND. You do this over and over until you reach your desired effect. I spend roughly 20 to 40 hrs hand rubbing the frames that I do. Thank you and good luck! would love to some pictures of your progress. I still have mine, tough to part with.

drewman

Thanks Squachie! Another question comes up about how to polish the metal lugs without adversely effecting the rest of the frame. I have an old tube of Autosol which I have used for brakes cranks etc but hesitant to use it since I am worried about getting it on the tubes. Any recommendations?

Chombi1 

Just cover the frame tubes out to a few inches from the aluminum lugs with painter's blue masking tape and polish away. I suspect thst the lugs of the epic might either be an9dizedvor painted over with clearcoat or color paint. You will have to strip those off if you want a "mirror finish" on your lugs.....