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Tesch Built Specialized Allez

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Tesch Built Specialized Allez

Old 10-19-21, 02:28 PM
  #1  
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Tesch Built Specialized Allez

Here is a pic just out of the stand and waiting final adjustments. I bought this frame off eBay a couple months ago. The frame lived a hard life. It was converted to a "fixie" but was fortunately not altered further. I am sure this is how it acquired the dent in the top tube. I was the only bidder given the sorry state it was in. From my reading, Speciailized contracted with Dave Tesch for 200 Allez frames. He was not a fast builder and did not fill the entire contract. For whatever reason, I became enamored with Tesch bikes sometime in the 1980s. It was a Bicycling article that did it. Why Tesch stood out to me more than the other builders, I cannot say. But, I've always wanted one. I have now acquired three, with this being the latest. I can't wait to get this one on the road.

It is built with a friction Sprint group. Bars and stem are Specialized (not sure who made them, but I like the quality of both). Sprint hubs and Araya rims. New Challenge Strada 25 mm clinchers. We had a debate between tan wall and black wall tires. And, between white and blue bar tape. Given that it is my bike, I won both those debates Did I make the right choice?

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Old 10-19-21, 02:37 PM
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3 Tesch's

That almost tops 5 Merz's, almost.

I'm sure you've seen the actual number was in the 60's according to multiple accounts from Bryant Bainbridge, special projects manager at big S during that time.

Any of them too big for you?
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Old 10-19-21, 02:44 PM
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I did not see that the number was as low as the 60s for the Allez. I guess I got lucky to find one in my size. How many ~58s could be there be if there are only 60 frames...

All three Tesch are my size - a Hwy 101, S-22 and this one. I've posted pics of the S-22, but I don't think I have of the 101.
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Old 10-19-21, 02:49 PM
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Tesch S-22 making me look fast (but not really...) Only pic I have on this computer.

No Merz's for me yet

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Old 10-19-21, 03:07 PM
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@Shrevvy

https://m.bikeforums.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=70

And post #34 in that same thread.

Big S only ordered 100 of them, the 200 included 100 Stumpy's it seems.
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Old 10-19-21, 03:09 PM
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You serious about a Merz?
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Old 10-19-21, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by merziac
@Shrevvy

https://m.bikeforums.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=70

And post #34 in that same thread.

Big S only ordered 100 of them, the 200 included 100 Stumpy's it seems.
Thanks for that. I had 200 ordered and 160 delivered stuck in my head. Seems I may have added 100 to each number.

Yes, I seriously do not have a Merz...
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Old 10-19-21, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Thanks for that. I had 200 ordered and 160 delivered stuck in my head. Seems I may have added 100 to each number.

Yes, I seriously do not have a Merz...
You're welcome, anytime.

Merz Allez, original custom or both?

it's crazy you found 3 out of those, let alone your size.

58's used to be on my radar as I rode 60-64 ideally I thought, then found a 66 Merz, rode it, had an epiphany, got a 25 1/2in. Paramount to validate new sizing and quit buying 58's.

HOWEVER, a 58 Tesch would be one of the few I could still consider.
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Old 10-19-21, 04:36 PM
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Was this from Santa Barbara? If so that used to be mine before I sold it to a friend who built it up as a fixie. It already had the dent when I got it.
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Old 10-19-21, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by winstonb
Was this from Santa Barbara? If so that used to be mine before I sold it to a friend who built it up as a fixie. It already had the dent when I got it.
I don't remember where it came from, but it would seem the odds of another 58 with a dent being converted to a fixie is pretty low given the number of frames out there. Did you own it long? Have any more Tesch frames hanging around there?
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Old 10-19-21, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Tesch S-22 making me look fast (but not really...) Only pic I have on this computer.

No Merz's for me yet

I have an S-22, in Hot Neon Pink. Built for Speed and Attention.
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Old 10-19-21, 05:27 PM
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Very cool bike and you did the frame justice with that nice build.
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Old 10-19-21, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by repechage
I have an S-22, in Hot Neon Pink. Built for Speed and Attention.
I do like the hot pink. I have seen a red one as well. White would be my last choice for this bike, but I'm smart enough not to turn down any color when the opportunity presents itself.
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Old 10-19-21, 06:02 PM
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Take care of the paint job too, all but the first few were painted by Brian Baylis.
I found my frame under a table at an Austin Frankenbike swap meet.
1987 Specialized Team Allez



Last edited by Chuckk; 10-20-21 at 07:32 AM.
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Old 10-19-21, 06:07 PM
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https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...395036468.html
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Old 10-19-21, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs
Very cool bike and you did the frame justice with that nice build.
Thank you
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Old 10-19-21, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by merziac
3 Tesch's

That almost tops 5 Merz's, almost.
8 Raleigh Gran(d) Sport(s)
Or 9, I lost count...
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Old 10-19-21, 07:22 PM
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Stunning! Lucky to have found it on the bay. All the Allez I can find are either trash or waaay overpriced. And I check the offers more than regularly..!
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Old 10-20-21, 05:59 AM
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I didn’t even get to see the add. Gone.
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Old 10-20-21, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Classtime
I didn’t even get to see the add. Gone.

Tesch Racing Road Bike - Durace Parts - $499 (san mateo)

image 1 of 4
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Old 10-21-21, 12:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Here is a pic just out of the stand and waiting final adjustments. I bought this frame off eBay a couple months ago. The frame lived a hard life. It was converted to a "fixie" but was fortunately not altered further. I am sure this is how it acquired the dent in the top tube. I was the only bidder given the sorry state it was in. From my reading, Specialized contracted with Dave Tesch for 200 Allez frames. He was not a fast builder and did not fill the entire contract. For whatever reason, I became enamored with Tesch bikes sometime in the 1980s. It was a Bicycling article that did it. Why Tesch stood out to me more than the other builders, I cannot say. But, I've always wanted one. I have now acquired three, with this being the latest. I can't wait to get this one on the road.

It is built with a friction Sprint group. Bars and stem are Specialized (not sure who made them, but I like the quality of both). Sprint hubs and Araya rims. New Challenge Strada 25 mm clinchers. We had a debate between tan wall and black wall tires. And, between white and blue bar tape. Given that it is my bike, I won both those debates Did I make the right choice?
Nice bike, how do you like the way it rides? I have one as well as an S-22. Very different geometries and they ride very differently from each other.
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Old 10-21-21, 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Tesch S-22 making me look fast (but not really...) Only pic I have on this computer.

No Merz's for me yet
Very nice S-22, Dura-Ace 7400?
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Old 10-21-21, 12:59 AM
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Originally Posted by curbtender

Tesch Racing Road Bike - Durace Parts - $499 (san mateo)

image 1 of 4
Wow, that paint almost glows. My S-22 was originally two-tone pink and mint green. I was seriously leaning towards a yellow frame but ended up going with red. That yellow sure is eyecatching! Makes mIne look dull in comparison!
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Old 10-22-21, 04:40 AM
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Nice bike
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Old 10-22-21, 05:15 AM
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Very nice bike. FWIW the Specialized stem and handlebars of that era were made by Nitto -- they are nicely made, and the stems are lovely to look at, IMHO.
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