'07 or '08 Allez Elite?

Lagavulin

Well, hopefully this will be unnecessary thread and my bke will be given a clean bill of health later - but I fear I'm probably clutching at straws ("Frame for the bin?" thread).

However, if it is consigned to the skip it's short life wont have been in vain as its certainly made me want more on road action.

I might as well get soemthing as good as or better than what I have (to be had?) so looking at the next step up in the Allez range, the Elite.

There does seem to be quite a change between the '07 and '08 Elite models.

The '07 model seems to be mainly 105 and 10 speed. 9 speed Tiagra on the new model but with a bit more carbon. Overall which is the better of the two?

I recently bought a set of DT Swiss RR1850s which I assume will be better than the stock wheels on both.

ddraver

u sponsered by specialized or something?! :P

Lagavulin

No, Allez frame geo just seemed to suit me.
I tried some Cannondale's, some Scott's, a Claud Butler and some "thing" Halfords had in before getting my Allez Sport.

I'm hoping this is all academic really but if worst came to the worst I'd also like to try the SCR1 and maybe pop up to Evans and try a Bianchi C2C.

hilaryw

For what its worth I've just bought an SCR1 for £640 ('08) but with a triple rather than the double which is on the new model. I'm really happy with it. When I was shopping around I tried out the Allez Elite along with about a million other bikes (or at least that's what it felt like). I really liked the Elite but couldn't get such a good deal on it. Best price I could get in a LBS in my size was £720 after about an hour of really hard bargaining - couldn't get him down to the price of the SCR1 in a different shop so I went with that and have absolutely no regrets.

Lagavulin

I never actually tried a Giant till after I got my Allez but the SCR (to me anyway) looks quite similar and I do like the silver, black and yellow of the new SCR1.

A yellow on the rear and one of those xserallic silver Conti 4000's on the front and it'd look like a right pimpcycle.

Truth be told I hoping I wont have to shell out but the noise my frame makes sometimes when going over even the slightest indentation in the road suggests that its days are numbered.

While I could fancy another Allez I wouldn't dream of ordering another off the bat without trying some alternatives.

Just glancing at the two Elite models though I just wondered which would be the better option i.e. if £100 for 105 over Tiagra was a steal at that price, or, if the full carbon forks and Zertz seat stays with the future option of a groupset upgrade would be a better choice. :?

top_bhoy

You could maybe have a look and see at what price point in the Allez range, the SLX E5 frameset kicks in at. This really is a very good frame and would be worth upgrading as and when necessary. This frame was used until either 2004 or 2005 (I haven't checked recently), on the S-works range and was their top model. Of course, the carbon bling fad superceded it but its still a good alu choice in my opinion.

Lagavulin

I think the Allez range is just Spesh A1 Alu.

E5's on the top-end Tricross but thats £1100+ territory and beyond my price range.

fidbod

Lagavulin, I had exactly the same choice about three weeks ago. I ended up going for the 07 model.

My choice was driven by the fact that the LBS could not source an 08 in my frame size for about a month....which made my choice easier.

I am super happy with the bike i got - no regrets about not holding off for an 08

top_bhoy

Lagavulin wrote:

I think the Allez range is just Spesh A1 Alu.

E5's on the top-end Tricross but thats £1100+ territory and beyond my price range.

There you go - nothing stays the same since I looked at the back end of last year!!! Apologies for crap advice

I had a quick look and it seems the 2006 Allez Elite, Comp and Expert had the E5 tubeset (double check) and then its all change for 2007 it seems. You might be able to pick up a 2006 model cheap then - even better!

Lagavulin

Good news.

Took my bike in today and they reckon it should be ok and certainly shouldn't be concerned about it.
They checked everything was in alignment but just told me to keep an eye.If I think its getting any worse to take it up and they'd take a more thorough look at it.

Still, I think I'll keep an eye out for a bargain and if I see a 105-equipped bike for £600-700 I may still get another bike and use my Allez Sport for the winter.

hamish_hebridean

Did you look at the 07 roubaix - there seem to be some bargains around right now. I have an 05 sport but I have upgraded everything significantly on it apart from the frame . The 05 frame seems to be a good one. I believe that Spesh did different frames for each of the bikes back in 05. The kit was better as well. Still love mine - but aiming for an S works roubaix when I can get the cash. Seems to be the most comfortable bike around. Saying that all the club cyclists will no doubt give me a hard time for my ability not being up to the quality of the bike.

hamish_hebridean

lagavulin - up there with bunnahabhainn as top malts. Appreciate the name.

Lagavulin

I've just had a look through the heads-up .pdf from the Edinburgh Bike Co-op sale and their cheapest Roubaix is still the wrong side of a grand for me unfortunately.

I see they've knocked £200 off the '07 Elite though. 105 throughout and it does look smart in the Gerolsteiner colours.

Spesh do seem to be lowering the specs of the Allez year on year though.

According to their site the Elite is now the top-end Allez (no Comp) and for '08 it has dropped from 105 to Tiagra (my '06 Sport is Tiagra with a 105 rear mech.).

Is this the best time of the year to buy a new bike?

If I was to get a new bike, would my current Allez be suitable as a winter bike. Will it take full muddies or is it raceblades only?