Help before Allez purchase

Super Domestique

I am on the verge of purchasing a Speccy Allez 16 in red after comparing various bikes within my £500 budget.

It will be my first road bike after years of mtbing.

Anyway, the deal I have been offered is 10% of price in accessories of my choice. However before I punch in my pin number can anyone tell me if they'd spotted an better deals on the Allez?

Also, the model they have in my size is the display one, should I get it reduced for that reason or is that not the 'done thing'?

TIA.

tim_wand

£500 for an allez is good value. However you dont say which spec it is?

Changing from MTB to first road bike the Allez is an excellent choice, they tend to have a longer head tube to give you a bit more comfortable position for first road bike but the headset spacers (on newer models) have slight taperings so you can get a lower position if required. The spesh frame is great and ripe for up grading further down the line.

I would imagine the one your looking at has a sora/ tiagra mix which is decent gear and will certainly get you going.

If its not a triple chainset you might want to check if its compact (50 chainring) rather than standard (53) especially if you live in a lumpy area.

Both Hargreaves/ rutland water cycling and leisure lakes carry decent reductions on Spesh . Especially if they are small or extra big sizes (52cm/60cm) and last years models
(usually only the colour schemes change) and remember a lot of places will price match.

£500 seems good for an allez . First upgrade should be decent wheelset when you can affoard it.

Enjoy.

Super Domestique

Thanks. I am looking at the Allez as it does seem a comfy choice too, if that makes sense.
It is the basic Allez. It is the 2010 version, does anyone know when the 2011 version comes out as I would hate to spend my max budget and then see it on sale the following month!

This is the spec:
Specialized Allez Double 2010 Specifications
FRAMESpecialized Allez A1 Premium aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, smooth weld compact race design, integrated headset
FORKAllez carbon, carbon fiber legs, aluminum crown and steerer
HEADSETCage bearings integrated w/ headset, 20mm of spacers w/ top cap
STEMAlloy, CP bolt, 31.8mm
HANDLEBARSSpecialized Elite, 6061 aluminum, short drop, 31.8mm
TAPESpecialized S-Wrap, cork ribbon w/ gel
FRONT BRAKELight dual pivot brake, Teflon pivots, forged alloy, w/ standard pads
REAR BRAKELight dual pivot brake, Teflon pivots, forged alloy, w/ standard pads
BRAKE LEVERSShimano 2300 STI, flight deck compatible
FRONT DERAILLEURShimano 2300
REAR DERAILLEURShimano 2300
SHIFT LEVERSShimano 2300 STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTEShimano HG-50, 8-speed, 12-25t
CHAINKMC Z-51
CRANKSETShimano 2300
CHAINRINGS52 x 39T
BOTTOM BRACKETCr-Mo axle, 68mm x 113mm
PEDALSSilver cage/black body, w/ black toe clips and strap
RIMSAlex S500, aluminum, sleeve joint, CNC machined sidewalls
FRONT HUBForged aluminum, sealed, QR, 32h
REAR HUBForged aluminum, double-sealed, cassette, QR, 32h
SPOKESStainless 14g
FRONT TYRESpecialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI, w/ Flak Jacket protection
REAR TYRESpecialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI, w/ Flak Jacket protection
INNER TUBESStandard presta valve
SADDLEBody Geometry Rival road, w/ steel rails
SEATPOSTAlloy, two-bolt clamp, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDERAlloy, 31.8mm

Rich Hcp

Ok deal for first roadie, I'd change the tyes for ones with better p!ncture resistance

an easy bike to upgrade later if you want