Is this bike worth saving?

[Pookie123]

Hi all, bought this bicycle off my friend a few years ago as he was moving to Dubai, well two house moves/renovations and a child later and I’ve hardly used it.

It has a snapped pedal which I think I’ll need to replace the whole pedal bit, doesn’t have disc brakes, probably needs new tyres and a general service. It’s definitely “used” and has some wear and tear.

I have no idea what it’s worth today all I know is it’s a Specialized Allez Sport, aluminium frame, I think I paid about £100 for it.

I’m in no way whatsoever an enthusiast but really want to start getting into it soon.

I’m just trying to think is it worth fixing this one up or am I better off buying a good second hand one on eBay with disc brakes etc?

Thanks for any advice and help.

[Maximus_Meridius101]

It looks like a solid, clean Allez. They are the ‘go to’ road bike for exactly the sort of riding you’re describing. Make sure anything safety critical ( brakes, tyres, wheels, headset ) are working, and that looks like it will be a good little runabout for you. You might find it needs new gear and brake cables ( inners and outers ) if it hasn’t been used for a while, but they may be fine. The worst case scenario with the pedal issue is you’ll need a replacement chainset, but Allez are so popular, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a replacement. It’s a Shimano Sora, so again easy enough to find.

Edited by Maximus_Meridius101 on Thursday 22 April 16:02

[lufbramatt]

100% worth saving, will be a solid bike once fettled. clean, lube, new cables, check brakes work and check hubs for play.

Looks like the threads might have stripped out of the crank arm? cheap enough to replace, second hand FSA Gossamer or similar for £20 off ebay etc. Looks like 5x110 PCD for the chainrings.

[Pookie123]

Thanks for the replies. What you’ve mentioned i need to do is completely foreign to me. Am I better of just taking it to a cycle shop or will I have my pants pulled down?

[lufbramatt]

See if there’s a one man band type bike repair guy on local Facebook groups etc?

The government were doing a free £50 bike service voucher scheme, be worth investigating that but might have finished.

[numtumfutunch]

That looks like a nice bike which just needs a bit of love.
You really dont need disc brakes, although Im personally a fan

As above posts say join a local FB bike group and get rec's for handy types, if they have a decent reputation they wont rip you off. The go-to blokes here are rammed purely on word of mouth on social media so its not in their interest to be arses

And go and ride it

Cheers

[bristolbaron]

If you give up on it send me a PM

[Pookie123]

Wow thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I’m not on Facebook so that rules out trying to find a local bicycle group, I know of a little bike shop near me where it’s just one guy who owns it and works in there on his own. Might be worth a try?

[lufbramatt]

Defo worth a shout. Even if you put another £150-200 into it it's still going to be better than anything you can pick up new for that much.

[Pookie123]

Ok nice one, will pop in there tomorrow. Thanks again

[stepaway]

Another option if not on Facebook might be to find a local cycling club. Usually full of helpful people and about as grass roots as you can get.

Even though I’m not a paid up member and don’t go on their group rides etc, the local club to me have been very helpful with advice in the past, and usually have a techie person who might be willing to spanner for you for far less than a shop will charge if you don’t fancy having a go yourself.

[J4CKO]

Prob sell for £500 on eBay at the moment, definitely worth saving !

[loskie]

cyclists have managed fine without disc brakes I'm sure that you will too

[Pookie123]

stepaway said:

Another option if not on Facebook might be to find a local cycling club. Usually full of helpful people and about as grass roots as you can get.

Even though I’m not a paid up member and don’t go on their group rides etc, the local club to me have been very helpful with advice in the past, and usually have a techie person who might be willing to spanner for you for far less than a shop will charge if you don’t fancy having a go yourself.

Thanks. Unfortunately didn’t get to go to the shop yesterday.

I do think I’m a dab hand in a lot of things and wouldn’t mind giving it a go myself, I just need to know what is actually wrong with the bike in the first place and what I need to order!

[loskie]

If you are planning on selling it just try it as it is with an honest description. If planning to use it then get it fixed it will be a good bike. Remember this year bike will be out of date in a years time. It's a faddy industry.

[J4CKO]

loskie said:

cyclists have managed fine without disc brakes I'm sure that you will too

Not had disk brakes on a roadie until last week, you dont notice in normal usage but its when its wet or you really want to stop quickly, it will.

I tried a stop from 35 MPH the other day with disks and the power is amazing.

[Maximus_Meridius101]

J4CKO said:

Not had disk brakes on a roadie until last week, you dont notice in normal usage but its when its wet or you really want to stop quickly, it will.

I tried a stop from 35 MPH the other day with disks and the power is amazing.

The ultimate limiting factor is the contact patch of the rubber on the road, not the brakes. A lock up is a lock up. The difference is in how much effort you need to put in to get the bike stopped. Disc brakes on road bikes are just a bit lazy. Only one of my road bikes is disc braked, to be honest I don’t like it, it’s overkill, and adds complexity and weight unnecessarily. Decent rims, and decent rim brakes are equally as effective as discs, it’s just that you need to work a little bit harder with rim brakes in the wet.

Edited by Maximus_Meridius101 on Sunday 25th April 23:43

[dontlookdown]

If it fits you, keep it. New bikes are in v short supply at present. Used ones v expensive.

If you want to fix it yourself and are a practical kimd of person then go for it, that bike is ideal to learn on. YouTube RJ the bike guy for tips on what to look for when checking an old bike and Park Tools for the 'text book' way to fix things.

Fixing bikes is fun and generally straightforward in principle. The only complexity is the myriad different sizes and standards for bottom bracket bearings, headsets, hubs, gears etc. But you will soon get the hang of it.

[Pookie123]

loskie said:

If you are planning on selling it just try it as it is with an honest description. If planning to use it then get it fixed it will be a good bike. Remember this year bike will be out of date in a years time. It's a faddy industry.

Out of date?! What does that mean? Skip it?

[Bathroom_Security]

I use an Allez as a winter stter, fast little bike really

Good tires, decent brake pads and itll be a goodun. I run mine with Ultegra pads on tektro calipers or whatever the rim brakes are called and they stop well. Set of GP5000 and itll grip well and be smooth

Worth saving yes, I'd keep it