Upgrading Specialized Allez 27 2008 - Where do I start

tricky_g

Hi - I am a newbie to road racing after years of running taking it's tolls on my body joints. I am wondering what are the best components to upgrade on the above bike to reap the most benefits. Or put another way is there one single component that would make a massive differerence to speed, smoothness etc. Any tips would be great!

Cheers

Here is the spec

Frame Specialized A1 Premium aluminum
Fork Specialized, carbon w/aluminum steerer
Rims/Wheels Alex S500
Hubs Specialized, forged-aluminum
Spokes 14-gauge stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Mondo Sport, 700 x 23c
Crankset Sugino Comp
Chainwheel 52/42/30
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Rear Cogs SRAM PG-950, 9-speed: 12-26
Shifters Shimano Sora STI
Handlebars Specialized Comp
Stem Specialized Sport, aluminum
Brake Levers Shimano Sora
Brakes Ultralight, dual-pivot
Saddle Specialized Comp Road
Seat Post Specialized, carbon

cannyscott

you dont say if you have clipless pedals and shoes.if you dont i would definatly recommend this as your first step .this would help alot with comfort and efficiency on your bike but make sure you get good shoes with clips with a good amount of float (free movement whilst clipped in) if you have knee problems.

Gr.uB

The first thing I replaced on my budget entry Giant in 2004 was the wheels. I went from Alex rims to Mavic Cosmics. Aside from the chainset, this would appear the obvious choice.

gundersen

Why not buy a real bike?

richardvaltos

That's just rude.

tricky_g

Thanks for the responses

I have already gone for the clipless pedals and will look into the wheels. What would be the best chainset to go for if I am planning lots of hills

edeverett

Tyres!

I had those Mondo tyres on my specialized at first and they are rubbish. Change to some top end tyres - Pro Race 2s, GP 4000s, Conti 4 Season, whatever takes your fancy and you'll find a huge difference to the feel and character of the bike.

A good set of tyres, will be lighter, grippier and more supple - I was amazed by what a difference they made. There's no point buying better wheels until you've got nice tyres (and tubes), but after that you should look at getting some nice wheels.

Good clothes make a difference too, especially a good pair of well fitting gel gloves, and in this weather overshoes are essential.

oestrada

Hi, I got the same bike on March and so far it accomplishes my training needs. Obviously it is a entry level model and it is crazy to pretend racing with her but is a good piece.

First change I did was to replace the brake calipers. It doesn't make sense if you don't have a reliable pair of brakes to stop the machine. Original brakes are no name and I got very much brake power with a pair of 105s.

Then I changed the pedals. You feel a real difference in how you ride the bike with a pair of clipless pedals. I am on budget so I've got Shimano SPD-SL R540. A little heavy with 300 grs, but with good floating.

Obviously, clothing and shoes make a real difference when you are doing efforts on your training rides. It is important to get the best quality possible and affordable.

Enjoy your bike,

ScottieP

I second the notion to change tires. I have a 2005 Allez Elite which I haven't ridden that much and just changed the tires this week. I went from the Mondo tires that came with the bike to some Continental GP4000s and there is a definite noticeable difference. Better grip, lower rolling resistance and much easier to ride up hills. Well worth spending the money on. I can't afford to buy decent wheels right now but the GP4000s' are great tires. I recommend you do this and buy some light weight inner tubes too.

I used to joke with a friend that I rode with that whenever we were moving gradually uphill it felt like my bike was "broken" and I used to be looking for punctures all the time. The new tires have fixed this.

I'm looking forward to my next ride!

ScottieP

rfortescue

I have also ditched the Mondos after a bit of a demolition Derby in the first sportive I tried. I am on Ultragatorskins now, which get mixed reviews, but I love 'em. I am also a newbie on the base model Allez, but I got far too quick at repairing punctures on the Mondos. Grip has not been an issue for me on the gatorskins (because I am a chicken on the descent!) and I have had no punctures.

I do keep bending the Alex wheels, though?! The guy in my LBS knows to get a spoke wrench out immediately when I show up. Is it me? He rebuilt the rear wheel for me, and it is much better (the spokes don't break now), but it still goes wonky after a few hundred km. I am not all that lardy at 85 kg, or am I?

Lagavulin

Some decent wheels and a nice set of boots for 'em made my Allez a far more enjoyable ride.

The 60tpi cartridge paper thin Mondos that came supplied on mine were useless come aumtumn/fall let alone winter.

gkerr4

The allez is a good platform to upgrade imo - cycling plus thought it had one of the lightest alu frames available when they tested it last year - so don't think that upgrading it is a waste - especially if the fit is good.

a good set of wheels and tyres(as said) is a good place to start - shimano 105 spec or Mavic aksiums seem to be popular and with good reason.

hows your saddle? - change to a toupe might be more comfortable (the specialized BG 'sport' that came with my langster (and I think might be the allez saddle too) is bloody awful - I bought a toupe which is much more comfortable and half the weight.

is the seatpost really carbon? - check it - the langster was actually carbon-look wrap on an alloy post. take it out and look in the bottom you wil see if it is alloy or carbon - if alloy then a change to carbon will remove some vibration from the ride - it might be slightly lighter too.

groupset change is a big undertaking - is it 8-speed sora or 9? - if nine then you could change levers to older ultegra for a bit of a slicker shift

change any unbranded stuff to groupset items - so the unbranded brakes - you will notice an upgrade moving to, say, 105 calipers.

good luck and enjoy tinkering with the upgrades

rally200

gundersen wrote:

Why not buy a real bike?

but Gundersen, I've seen your bike - its a girls bike, its pink & was made for girls, it has stabilisers, and streamers from the handlebars.

What a way to welcome newcomers.

Most the world think the Allez a good first, second bike. Eliteist......

akcc05

i upgraded the sugino triple chainset on my spesh sirrus to a shimano tiagra compact 34/50 and it made quite a bit of difference in weight. you said you are planning on doing lots of climbing right? i think compact 34/50 would be best. also if you know what crank length you need, it's quite cheap online, like wiggle or something, but you will need the tools to install it yourself.

there is a review on here too:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/chainset/product/tiagra-fc-4503-chainset-8905

that's just my opinion, i could be wrong, what do you guys think?

ScottieP

I've also upgraded my Allez Elite to a compact but bought the more expensive (and lighter) R700 compact and my bike feels lighter too. It performs really well - much smoother than my 9 speed 105. There are some good deals on compacts if you shop around. I've just checked the Ribble website and they are selling the R600 for £45 or the R700 for £80 (you need to buy the bottom bracket cups for these as well). I got my local bke shop to fit them for me and it's made a big difference to getting up steep hills - from my 53/39 double. I'm very slow in bottom gear but I get up them! If you've already got a triple and are happy with it - you might just want to look for a lighter triple crankset ... Compact should be lighter though as it's one less ring.

Ribble also have Continental GP4000s for £19 each - it's where I got mine but the offer expires today.

Hope this helps.

ScottieP

lochindaal

I upgraded my Allez Sport to Shimano RS20 wheels and GP4000s tyres. It only cost £150 fom Ribble and made a huge difference. I was actually surprised at what a difference a made.

The big felt quicker and far smoother.

ScottieP

Lochindaal

That's really interesting - wheels are the next thing I want to upgrade on my Allez. I've been considering the RS20's and the Fulcrum Evo 5's at the lcheaper end and the 2009 Easton EA90 SLX or Dura Ace CL's (if any of my preferred online shops ever stocks them) but haven't yet made a choice. Sensibly as I don't do that many miles .... really not many - the lower end pricing is where I should be shopping. I have Alex 330 wheels right now - what did you replace?

Thanks
ScottieP

lochindaal

I just replaced the standard Jalco wheels and Mondo tyres that came as shipped. I spent ages debating whether to buy or not. Everyone on thye forum says to upgrade wheels and tyres first yet I was dubious if a cheap upgrade route was going to be worth it.

Eventually took the gamble as I didn't want to to spend a fortune and as I said was pleasantly surprised at the difference