allez sport 08 or allez sport 2010, decisions decesions?

ukhornet

Hi guys, i'm fairly new to cycling & will soon be geting my first road bike ( currantly riding a boardman team hybred).
I'm a bit stuck on the bike to get. I've seen a specialized allez sport 2008 model & a specialised allez sport triple 2010. the 08 model has a £75 saving over the 2010 model & seems identical to the current one. would this be a good buy, or should i go for a newer 2011 model. My budget is approx £600. Any advice would be greatly recieved.

HonestAl

Hi there, without looking at the specs of both bikes I can't be sure, but a pretty good rule of thumb is that as the model year changes, the price goes up and the spec goes down. So there's a good chance that you'll get better components on the 2008 model, and save yourself £75 to buy some pedals or the like

RiderontheStorm

also consider what bikes looks best. But agree with previosu post, compare spec of both models.

Stewie Griffin

Is the head tube on the 2010 not shorter? Iirc the 2008 version has a more relaxed position. Do you need/want a triple? Is the 2008 a compact?

McBoom

I Bought a 2010 Allez Sport (compact) for £480 2 weeks ago (20% off). If you can get the triple for around £500 then it's a good price. How much is it going for?

Also, Specialized look like they're upping the prices for 2011. Appears the Allez Sport 2011 will be £700 for a double and £730 for a triple. I'm sure some of that is improved spec but some will also be inflation/weak pound. I personally wouldn't wait for the 2011's.

I looked up the '08 spec and it should have a Tiagra groupset, which is a step up from the Sora on the '10. If it does then I might be inclined to go for that.

ukhornet

Thanks for the quick replies guys.
the allez sport triple 2010 in white is £600 while the 08 allez in black is £525. I cant remember if the 08 was a compact or triple, but the guy in the shop seemed to think that the 08 was a near identical bike with the exception of the brakes being unbranded on the 08 (shimano sora on the 2010). He said that as both bikes had 9 speed cassettes they would be better than the newer models.
In fact i wonder if HonestAl worked in the shop as thats just what the shop guy said.

" good rule of thumb is that as the model year changes, the price goes up and the spec goes down. So there's a good chance that you'll get better components on the 2008 model,"

I also thought that the black 08 looked better. Not that colour really makes that much differance.

Pretre

ukhornet wrote:

I also thought that the black 08 looked better. Not that colour really makes that much differance.

If you like the look of one but not the other then why would you buy something you don't like looking at? :?
If you're happy with the price & the components then buy the one you like the look of

garrynolan

ukhornet wrote:

Hi guys, i'm fairly new to cycling & will soon be geting my first road bike ( currantly riding a boardman team hybred).
I'm a bit stuck on the bike to get. I've seen a specialized allez sport 2008 model & a specialised allez sport triple 2010. the 08 model has a £75 saving over the 2010 model & seems identical to the current one. would this be a good buy, or should i go for a newer 2011 model. My budget is approx £600. Any advice would be greatly recieved.

If your hybrid is a size small are you going to sell it? Sorry about the digression.

ukhornet

sorry Gary but no, i'll be keeping it.

Super Domestique

As the 2011 stuff is out there or arriving shortly I would see what further deal he'd give for moving an 08 bike tbh.

Either more money off or some extras thrown in. Remember some shops have 20% off the 2010 Spesh bikes already.

father_jack

yeah a 2008 bike should be heavily discounted, I'd be looking at 30% off

stronginthesun

id go for the 2008 and try and get some more knocked off the price . if they wont budge get them to throw in pedals computer ect .

PaulS77

I've got the Allez Sport 2010 but I'm inclined to agree with the above posts, go for the 08 model and try and squeeze for a bit more discount or some extras thrown in.

ukhornet

I've just phoned the shop & the've confirmed that the 08 is a triple, but as i'm using the cycle to work scheme, they can't ofer any more discount.

ukhornet

just an update, i'm now the happy owner of a specialized allez sport tripple 2010.

father_jack

Throw it on the skip, who wants a triple?

StillGoing

I wouldn't buy the tripple unless you're extremely unfit and live where there's no escaping going up some serious hills.

father_jack

lol I was joking, but I see someone else isn't. I've got two triples. They're great. The granny ring has come in handy, and better to have it, then to go up a big hill and wishing you had it.

thefonz78

I have a 2010 sport triple its a good bike. However the 09 was a better spec so maybe the 08 was to. You got better wheels and better spec gear tiagra all round. If this is the case i would go for the 08 saving money and getting a better spec'ed bike in the process.

ukhornet

well both the bikes that i was looking at were triples, so by the sounds of it i couldnt please you guys whatever choice i made. lol.
As a complete newbee to road cycling i thought it made sense to get a triple, if i dont use it i asume i can change it at a later date. I went out yesterday for my first ride & found that i only used the "granny wheel" twice. hopefully as i get fitter i'll find myself using it less.
Really pleased with the bike but did find it hard going on my hands suprisingly enough. I tended to ride holding on to the top of the brakes most of the time & hardly at all on the drops. I've got a cheap pair of gloves from halfords so i guess i'll soon have to upgrade them & hope it makes it more comfortable.
Any way thanks for all the advice guys.

Dmak

ukhornet wrote:

Hi guys, i'm fairly new to cycling & will soon be geting my first road bike ( currantly riding a boardman team hybred).
I'm a bit stuck on the bike to get. I've seen a specialized allez sport 2008 model & a specialised allez sport triple 2010. the 08 model has a £75 saving over the 2010 model & seems identical to the current one. would this be a good buy, or should i go for a newer 2011 model. My budget is approx £600. Any advice would be greatly recieved.

I'm eagerly waiting for my Allez Sport (Double) 2011 to arrive at the shop and get set up for me to collect. £596 from Berkshire Cycles, over £100 saved from making one phone call to them. The 2011 model is much improved as far as I know, hope so, either way, can't wait!

The triple is £620.

thefonz78

I'm a newbie and triple is a god send in south wales! and so were my Specialised bg gel gloves. The £26 but well worth it as i also found it hard on my hands,