Specialized Allez 18

mask of sanity

I've been into cycling for many years now but was doing it very casually on a mountain bike... Lately ive wanted to take it a bit more serioulsy, not races or anything (for the moment) but greater distances and competing against myself. This obv opened up the mine field that is road bikes, which i know very little about...!!

My budget is about £600 and i was recomened an Allezz 18 by my local Specialized specialist bike shop for £550 inc. fitting.

I've seen alot of reviews that recomend it as a good starting road bike but it would be more useful to hear from people who own one. Also, is it the 09 equivilent of the Allez Double (07) because the spec seems to be very simiar?!

Other bikes that seem a good buy are the GT SCR series 3/4 and the trek SL1000. Which one of these three is likely to be more suitable and better buy?

Thanks!

keef66

the 2009 Allez 18 is indeed essentially the same as last years Allez double. (The double refers to the 2 front chainrings, the 18 refers to the total number of gears, ie 2 chainrings x 9 rear sprockets = 18 )

And yes, it is a good starter bike. If you're new to road it would be best to buy from an LBS which does a proper fitting, so if your local LBS is a Spesh dealer then go for it!

Bhima

For under 600 quid, it's the best road bike you'll get, in my opinion. We were discussing it the other day here: http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12615951

Once you get into £750+ territory, I reckon you're better off going for a Trek, as opposed to a Specialized bike though. If you're just starting out on road bikes though, I don't think you'll need to go higher than 600 quid really though...

I've got last year's one and it's pretty solid. If possible, try and get a test-ride on different bikes, especially as it's your first road bike. They can feel really different to mountain bikes - they'll feel really small at first and it'll take a bit of time getting used to them.

mask of sanity

Awesome, thanks for your help guys, is appreciated. Buying a road bikes is so daunting at first cos its so comeplex.

I once owned a very basic road bike (couldnt even tell you what it was) so i kinda have a feel for what road bikes are like, but this was many years ago so can't really remember!

Im guessing that LBS means local bike shop?! Sorry, really not got a clue on 'bike talk', lol.

£750 is out of my budget really as im a student at the moment, so i guess the Allez seems the obvious choice at the moment.

Are there any things on the Allez that are worth upgrading straight away? I understabd that a number of the compenents are Sora so woulod it be worthwhile upgrading to Tiagra or would that be quite pricey?

Cheers.

keef66

Correct, LBS is local bike shop!

I wouldn't go upgrading anything till it's broken / worn out, or until your next lottery win. Then the cheapest / most noticeable upgrade would be some better tyres.

Once you start swapping bits of the groupset (shifters / transmission / brakes) it can get very expensive.

Stick with what it comes with, you'll be fine.

il_principe

I thought the 18 was a Compact not a Double (pedant)? Anyway, they're fantastic bikes, I made my first foray into Road bikes on an Allez. It's now owned by a mate and still going strong.

keef66

The 2008 bike was called a double by Spesh. As opposed to the triple. It was still a compact chainset.
I suppose calling it an 18 (as opposed to the 27) removes the potential for confusion / pedantry

t0ny

I have an Allez Sport Double and I love it....

I have upgraded the wheels and a few other little bits along the way, but the bike is just perfect for doing so!!

Could not recommend it more!

mask of sanity

I decided after much deliberation to get the bike, so got it this morning. Took it out for a quick 16 miler and it seems really nice to ride. Very responsive and pretty comfortable considering im used to a full sus mountain bike.

However, I developed cramp in my right calf muscles when going up a really steep hill, and had to pull over :? I understand the basic science behind cramp (build up of lactic acid etc.) but is it possible to be caused by poor riding poistion/technique. I had the bike fitted so im hoping its not down to position. Or is it most likely to be down to lack of use of those muscles. I've cycled what i would consider fairly long distances of hilly terrain (30/40 miles, probably not far to you guys) on my mountain bike and never had that problem before so do road bikes use calf muscles more than mountain bikes?!

Bhima, I totally understand what you mean about them feeling alot smaller! I guess thats down to the more areodynamic nature of your posture.

Thanks for all your help so far, has been great!!

Bhima

In the past 2 years, i've had 3 bikes and i've always had cramp/stitches/pain on the first few rides on each! They were all different bikes - Mountain bike, Hybrid and a Road bike.

If you are using your leg muscles differently, it could be to do with your feel positioning on the pedals - on your mountain bike, did you put your feet on the pedals in the same place as the road bike?

The most powerful position is having the ball of your foot on the center of the pedal - this uses the calves more than if you were to put the arched bit of your foot at the center of the pedal - maybe the different geometry of the bike made you do something different...? You're inevitably going to be using your muscles in a slightly different proportion to how you do on your other bike, so maybe there's nothing wrong with the bike and it's just your body adapting...

Did your Allez come with those foot clip things? They can force your feet into akward positions...

mask of sanity

I would probably put my arch on the mtb peddle tbh. Never felt like my calf muscles were being used a great deal so ties in with what you said.

Yeah has the foot clips, feels like my feet are lot further back then im used to so must be the foot clips that are doing that. I guess its just a case of my muscles not being developed enough atm. Will have to give it time! The clips still help more then they hinder right? Although really struggled to get my feet into them at first!! haha!!

Cheers for your help!

Bhima

Don't worry about it - I had the same problem.

Back when I had the mountain bike, my mates who had them were always going out in the countryside doing insane stunts and stuff, so they told me it's best to put the arch of your foot on the pedal - it's probably better for stability on some of the crazy off-road stuff they were doing but, I remember getting my feet in some straps on the Allez and having the same issue - "are these straps too small?" :? & "Maybe I should pedal without the straps" "are my feet too big?" - but then I learned that it would make my pedalling more powerful once I got over the initial phase of having lazy calf muscles, I decided to stick at it.

Just give it a week or so - you'll notice that hills will feel more painful than normal and you'll have less power at first but, once you get those calves in shape, you will notice a big peak in performance compared to the power you were doing on the mountain bike.

The good thing about the clips/straps is that, as well as pushing the pedals down, you can pull them up also. So they definately can increase your potential when really putting the power down. You'll probably notice the effect more obviously when going up hills, especially when stood up off the saddle. The only downside is that they're dangerous - if you fall off the bike, good luck getting your feet out! They can cut off your circulation too over long periods of time. Clipless pedals get round this problem, although i'd get used to the bike first, before spending more money on stuff like that.

mask of sanity

Yeah, i think it is just about getting used to it, seeing as its so different to being on a mtb. Will have to rack up the miles over the next few weeks by the sounds of it!!

Im so glad i found this site! I'ts awesome. Been so useful, obv cos of all the help ppl who use it are willing to give, so thanks very much!! Is appreciated