Looking at a road bike

[Black5]

I am thinking of getting a good value for money (cheap) road bike.

It will be mainly to train for and compete in a sprint triathlon next year (oh, & to ride to work). After doing one this year on a borrowed bike, I'm kinda hooked!

I was thinking about a Specialized Allez (double chainring). I would be interested in peoples thoughts.

The base model is currently £499 . . . . . . but I have seen some discounts on the 07 model now the 08 is due out. This brings it down to £399. On cycle scheme, I can get the price down to £227. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. Too good to be true?

[R1 GTR]

The price wont be. I got a '07 Hardrock £399 for £243 on the scheme. (shh!)

[Trooper2]

The Specialized Allez has always been a very good value for the money bike at normal retail prices...

(At least here in the U.S.)

[Minicity]

A decent bike like that - for £227! Go for it.

[Nick_F]

I'd want to make sure it was a 9-speed - not because you need the extra ratio but because it's much easier to get bits for 9-speed than for 8 speed.

Other than that the Allez is a great bike and an excellent frame that you'll be able to upgrade over time if you want to: my brother did his first two IM races on an Allez.

[Exige46]

If you are going to be using it for work all year round in all weathers, you should consider whether it is possible to fit mudguards. I am not sure you can do that on an Allez.

[Nick_F]

Raceblades will go on to pretty much anything, including an Allez, and do an adequate job unless you're trying to ride to the office in your work clothes...

[Bat Fink]

The GF has just got an 07 Allez double. Great bike, rides really well and for £227 an absolute steal.

Go for it.

[Boomshanker]

Recently picked up an Allez Elite Triple in the 07 sales. Wasn't sure I needed the triple but glad I got it now as I've been on the small ring a few times. Also managed 45mph on the big ring though.

1 tip. Give yourself plenty of time to break before roundabouts etc. Nearly found that out the hard way the other day.

all in all very impressed though.

Edited by Boomshanker on Friday 31st August 18:42

[bumrar]

Have a look a ribble cycles (www.ribblecycles.co.uk) Fantastic bikes, at great prices! ive been using one of their lower end bikes for the last three years for riding the nine miles to work (when I can be bothered), and its served me very well!

[Sarkmeister]

bumrar said:

Have a look a ribble cycles (www.ribblecycles.co.uk) Fantastic bikes, at great prices! ive been using one of their lower end bikes for the last three years for riding the nine miles to work (when I can be bothered), and its served me very well!

It depends on which cycle2work scheme you are on, but generally you cant get Ribble bikes. If you are on the Halfords one you can get Focus bikes through Ribble. The Focus Variado at £599 (before cycle2work discount) looks like an absolute bargain to me.

[mk1fan]

You do need to consider what your commute to work will need. As an example here is mine:

Distance 16-miles each way.
Full mud guards and rear pannier rack.
Two panniers, one with clothes & wash gear, one with work & my lunch.
Four lights up front.
Three lights at the rear.
Numerous reflectors.
Water bottle.

This commute through London takes around an hour each way. I don't carry a rucksack as I have had problems in the past trying to carry all my stuff to work.

I would not use my commuting bike in a triathalon - but then agan I wouldn't use a triathalon bike to commute on. I would use my commuting bike to train on though.

I looked at a Spesh Allez, as good a bike as I know it is, it doesn't take a full set of mud guards. Something I personally wanted on the bike.

If your commute is only a couple of miles (less than 5) then you will get very little training benifit from it and it might be worth buying a mid-90's rigid steel mtb off eBay and kitting it out for the commute. Then the Spesh can be kept in training / race trim.

[Black5]

The 'ride to work' statement is obviously because I will be purchasing on the ride to work scheme.

Don't read too much into it.

My main concern is to make sure I can do what I have suggested and if there is anything better value around.

[mk1fan]

You can't go wrong with a Spesh. There are better bikes around but - as a relative beginner to the sport - It won't fail you.

[Dammit]

I have had a number of bikes in the past, from all the usual suspects.
I now have a Cannondale Rush and a Specialized Allez Double- exactly the one you are looking at.

The 'dale is without my favourite bike of all (so far!), but I spend the majority of my time on the Allez.

My commute is 7 miles each way, from Blackheath into Southwark, and the Allez does it in 20/25 minutes.
The Allez is my second road bike, and in my view is superior to the £1,700 Marin that preceded it.

If you can get one with the bike to work scheme I'd say go for it- I have no regrets at all, apart maybe from the 8 speed issue, but I'll deal with that when something goes terminally wrong- I'm busy saving a few quid for some Mavic CrossMax SLR's for the Cannondale at the moment, so the Allez will be left to tick along until I have to spend money on it.

Conclusion- for the money I (although biased) don't think you can go wrong.

N