Specialized Secteur - slow?

tom3668
tom3668 Posts: 18
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
Okay I need a little reassurance before I drop a grand on the Specialized Secteur Elite 2010.

The company I work for has the cycle to work scheme with Evans so I have to buy from them. I had the 2009 Specialized Allez 27 previously which I liked. I have £1000 to spend at Evans, and they appear to be out of stock of all the 56cm ish Trek's from last year's range, which look better speced. I know nothing about the other brands they have.

I want to use the new bike for some day rides, sportives, and possibly some racing, which makes me think I should stick with the Allez range rather than the Secteur model. I've seen some comments saying you will lose 2 mins for every ten miles on the Secteur. Is this really true?

I know the usual response is go and test them out, but I don't think I'm seasonned enough to say what is good or not. I've test ridden the Secteur, and it felt fine. As good as my previous Allez, but considering its twice as much you'd hope it would feel ok. I just can't tell from 30 mins on the bike.

Finally, I hate the colours of the new Allez's. I know thats shallow but when you're spending this much on something, you want that wow factor. The 2009 Allez Elite would be perfect, it's a great looking bike (to my eyes)....but it's sold out. Of the 2010 models only the top one looks okay to me.

Sorry I went off on a bit of a ramble, but my basic question is, is the Secteur going to rule myself out of any racing over shorter distances?

Thanks in advance for your help

Tom

What I may get: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec019549
What I'd ideally get: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016880
The sensible choice (but I don't like the look of it): http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec019407

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    All the gearing on those bikes I think are suited to hilly sportive riding and club runs IMHO. The biggest ring on the front is a 50, when racing you ideally want a 52/39 double on the front and be a bit more selective on the rear cassette. These are all good bikes for what you want.

    Or add a bit of extra and try these;

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec016338

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec016601

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec016339

    These are all in the 56cm sizing, and a couple have carbon frames. I have a scott S50 and t is a great bike, the geometry is really safe and responsive.

    Hope this helps.
  • pedrojake
    pedrojake Posts: 229
    Tom, my understanding is the Allez is a bit more 'sporty', kin of the s line version in an audi or the m sport of bmw if you get my drift. Maybe a bit sportier or cooler to look at, but the sacrifice being a little harder on the ride, although some say that gives you a bit more 'feel'

    Personally as a relative newbie, i dont think there would be much difference overall. In fact if you're considering doing long rides or sportives the Secteur may be a little more comfortable.

    I agree with your view on the Allez Elite 09 v 2010, the 09 looks a lot better and is in fact better speced with 105 over tiagra, but thats the £200 difference.

    I've had the 2010 for about 4 weeks now, and now i'm used to the colour of it i'm absloutley loving it. What Spesh were thinking of with the white tape though i've no idea, 300 miles in and its starting to get a bit messy looking already. And if you change to white, well that means it will look like the cheaper Allez 16....

    http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/pro ... -RED-56CM/

    good luck :?
  • tom3668
    tom3668 Posts: 18
    Cheers guys... much apprieciated.

    Tom
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    That'll be £20 please mate, credit crunch, know what I mean ?

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