New bike advice Specialized Allez or Trek 1.2 please

Skerryman

I'm new to this road bike lark, have an MTB and noticed I'm spending a bit of time on the road on it when I can't get to trails so figured it would make sense to look into a road bike. I was originally looking at the Specialized Allez 2011, but the dude at my LBS showed me a Trek 1.2 2011 and both look nice. I've tried both and both feel right to me. I had originally only set my budget around the Allez but might squeeze the Trek 1.2 if its worth the extra money for the extra spec. I'm not planning on any hardcore riding just a few jaunts every weekend so I'm wondering is it worth spending the extra cash on the Trek. On the other hand I don't want to get the Allez and then start thinking of what I need to upgrade on it when I could of just went for the higher spec on the Trek. Anyway, if anyone could provide any info that could help me on choosing on or the other it would be infinitely appreciated. Link for the two are below

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... cname=Road

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/1_series/12/

Like I said I'm aware the Trek is better specced but just wondering if its worth the extra cash for what I need. Anyway advice appreciated.

ShutUpLegs

Like Lance’s bike, in aluminum

Skerryman

So you reckon its worth springing the extra bucks for it??

arlowood

Why not trawl the net for an outgoing 2010 model. In that way the discounts available could get you more bang for your bucks.

For example Cycles UK are offering the Spesh Allez Elite 2010 model for £799. This comes with full Tiagra drivetrain so is a better spec than the 2011 Trek 1.2 and you might be able to haggle the price down further

http://www.cyclesuk.com/0-258594

That was only after a fairly swift Google so you might be able to do better with a longer search

Skerryman

Unfortunately I'm based in Ireland and any bike shop near me has only 2011 models in stock, I'm guessing because they all usually keep low stock of bikes. Also I'm trying to avail to the cycle to work scheme so need to buy here. Was looking at Evans and seen plenty 2010 bikes fairly discounted, but alas I cannot avail Think I can get the Trek on the scheme for about £600 and he said he'll throw in 50 bucks worth of extra's too so might not be so bad. So Trek or Specialized then?

Skerryman

So anyone else got opinions on the 1.2 and the Specialized, hoping to make the purchase this week. I'm edging towards the Trek. Anyone know if the frame would make a good base to start upgrading eventually. Hoping to get a new set of wheels for whichever one I get as I've heard the stock wheels on both are not great and this would be the most noticeable upgrade performance wise.

andy_wrx

To be honest, it's like asking which is the better car, a Focus or an Astra.

Someone who thinks the Blue Oval is brilliant will give you one answer and someone who loves the General will give you the opposite !
- whereas really there's not that much in it, they're both pretty good cars and whilst neither is a Ferrari or Bentley, neither is a 1990's Lada either.

Both of these are decent bikes at their price-point, if you buy either then it'll do you well.

Like other posters say, go for last year's (2010) model, if you can find one and you'll get much better value - cheaper price, cos it's last year's colours...

You are right to say that the wheels on neither are brilliant, but that applies to most manufacturers - buy a £2000 bike and it often has wheels on it that you could buy for £150 after-market : it's one way the manufacturers can get the price down and most people don't notice cos they're only looking at the groupset.

Skerryman

Cheers for the reply. Like I was saying above the bike shops in my area don't tend to hold much stock so none of them have the 2010 models left. Was hoping to go that route cos its the same bike pretty much as this years. Hoping to get the bike on the cycle to work scheme so at least that'll bring the price down a bit. Think I'm gearing towards the Trek at the moment gonna see what other bikes at that price point he can get in and make a decision then after some intense googling of reviews and such. Can start saving shackles then for a shiney set of new wheels in the coming months.

Philby

Trek has slightly better groupset. Buy whichever you feel most comfortable on (and like the look of) - both are good starter bikes and are eminently upgradeable.

Bill-87

I'd go for a Trek due to the fact it looks better, if nothing else.

Skerryman

Thanks for the input fella's. Gonna give the shop a quick call to see what else is there in that price bracket before I decide. Trek is sounding like the right option at the moment though. Looks very nice in the flesh too along with it having better spec. Thanks again

Skerryman

Stanley222 wrote:

How much are you going to spend?

The Specialized Allez Sport is a nice bike and has a mix of Shimano Sora & Tiagra which is more than adequate for a newbie for £600!

I was in the same position as you last year and was told the following (it could be wrong though) -
The Trek use the same frame throughout the range but only from the 1.5 upwards (the 1.2 is not as good)
Specialized Allez use the same frame throughout the range - just the gears etc get better.

From that I chose the Spesh as it;s the same frame as a £1000 Allez. I upgraded the brakes from Sora to Tiagra by finding some brand new ones on eBay for £19 delivered and then got some better wheels and Tiagra shifters for my birthday.

I absolutely love it and for £600 my bike is the same spec as the Elite model

I had initially budgeted for the Allez base model (about £640) and the guy in the shop showed me the Trek 1.2 (about £770) and as is prone to happening with these things the budget grew of its own accord. Not really planning on spending above the price of the Trek 1.2 now. LBS is getting in a Allez sport this week so gonna have a look at that and make the decision then. Both lovely bikes, looking like the Trek at the moment, but not gonna take the plunge until I see the Allez Sport. Any idea which has the better wheelset? Hard to find reviews on the stock wheels and my knowledge of road wheels is limited

dmch2

I think trek use their 'white' frame for all the 1 series and the 'black' frame for the 2 series. So I'd assumed that a 1.2 had the same frame as a 1.5. Looking at the price difference between the 2010 models it was about right to explain the sora and alloy seat post to tiagra and carbon seat post. Not enough to explain a different frame though.

Of course, this might only be true for 2010

gregg.pedder

I've got a 2010 Specialized Allez Double. Great bike for the money, fast and predictable (for what it is). Stock brakes are SH*T though in every sense of the word. I replaced mine with 105 Brakes which are now excellent.

There's no point spending any more money unless you're going to upgrade to the Tiagra Shifters which have a different gear up switch. I don't mind the 2300 shifters though. Absolutely fine for me and I've been doing 35 miles a day with no problems.

Any Q's please ask.

PS I also ride a Trek 2.3, which is in a different league, but for 3 times the price one would expect it would be 3 times as good .

dmch2

gregg.pedder wrote:

PS I also ride a Trek 2.3, which is in a different league, but for 3 times the price one would expect it would be 3 times as good .

What makes the 2.3 so much better? Is the alloy frame that much better? Or is it the groupset (105 I guess?) or the wheels?

Or to put it another way... Will my tiagra based 1.5 with decent pads and tyres plus a set of Fulcrum 5s or 3s be getting near to it?

gregg.pedder

dmch2 wrote:

gregg.pedder wrote:

PS I also ride a Trek 2.3, which is in a different league, but for 3 times the price one would expect it would be 3 times as good .

What makes the 2.3 so much better? Is the alloy frame that much better? Or is it the groupset (105 I guess?) or the wheels?

Or to put it another way... Will my tiagra based 1.5 with decent pads and tyres plus a set of Fulcrum 5s or 3s be getting near to it?

Without meaning to sound rude at all i'll keep it short.

The 2.3 Has FULL 105 grouppo which is more positive, can be used from the drops and is generally much more refined, with a much better shift quality. The stock brakes on the Allez are rubbish.

The 2.3 Has bontrager race wheels and bladed spokes which A. Have sealed cartridge bearings and B. Are MUCH lighter than the ALEX wheels on the Specialized.

The 2.3 Has a carbon seatpost which makes for a slightly more compliant ride.

The 2.3 is lighter, therefore climbs easier.

All that said the Specialized Allez is a great bike for what I paid for it, absolutely ideal for using in bad weather and riding to work, leaving chained up outside all day then riding home.

The 2300 Shifters, crank, mechs, sprockets and chain are not that bad either for the price. Yes the 105 groupset is far superior, but arguably a bit OTT for a hack. I've never tried the Tiagra Shifters so couldn't comment, but I would guess they operate much the same as the 2300 just with the lever in a different place. Im very impressed by the 2300s though after hearing some horror stories. Ok you wouldn't race with them but other than that they are good and certainly do the job.

SDK2007

Stanley222 wrote:

From that I chose the Spesh as it;s the same frame as a £1000 Allez.

I absolutely love it and for £600 my bike is the same spec as the Elite model

Just to point out - the 2011 Allez Elite and Comp (£920 and £1200) models have different frames to the rest of the Allez range.

The base and Sport models have A1 frames, the Elite and Comp models come with an E5 frame which is a bit lighter. Also, the Elite and Comp models have a tapered head tube which saves weight and increases stiffness.

Skerryman

dmch2 wrote:

I think trek use their 'white' frame for all the 1 series and the 'black' frame for the 2 series. So I'd assumed that a 1.2 had the same frame as a 1.5. Looking at the price difference between the 2010 models it was about right to explain the sora and alloy seat post to tiagra and carbon seat post. Not enough to explain a different frame though.

Of course, this might only be true for 2010

From what I can tell the 1.2 and 1.5 have the same frame. Would've considered the 1.5 if it had the better frame but don't think I need to break the bank for the addition of a carbon seat post and Tiagra shifters. Could upgrade these later if I wanted. Think the 1.2 will do fine for a first time road bike. That is unless I see the Allez Sport and I have a change of heart!!

Edit: Looking at the Spec of the 1.2 and the Allez Sport I can't see much difference. Apart from the no name brakes and hubs on the Trek as opposed to the Sora brakes and 2200 hubs on the Allez. Although some of the lingo eludes me so I may be missing something there. Anyone out there with more insight feel free to correct me on this. Specs are below

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... trek%201.5

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... ez%20sport

Skerryman

OK throwing a complete curveball into the mix here. Seen this on CRC 25% off plus an extra 10% with loyalty voucher making it about €200 more than the Trek 1.2 but spec look a hell of a lot better than €200 Ultegra front and rear derailleur. Fulcrum racing 7 wheelset. Would I be a fool to skimp on the Trek 1.2 when this is available at this price. Seriously pushing the budget here but if its justifiable then I wouldn't mind. Any opinions ???

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44405