Whats the difference?

yeachan153

Hi,

Just recently, i managed to buy a allez double 2010 for £379.99 new. Just quite curious as to how the 2011 feels in comparison to the 2010 model? I heard the frame has had a makeover to make it more racier... (at least i think) Other then that I havent test ridden the 2011 model, so dont know how it feels. Anyone here ridden both? How are they different?

night_porter

The real truth is that very little changes on bikes from one year to the next, the marketing people will tell you that it is all new but that is because making you yearn for the very latest model keeps you buying their products.

I would suggest that if you have "just" purchased your bike you ride it and enjoy it and get you moneys worth out of it.

If you really want to know the difference then go to a local dealer and test ride a new one, then you can make an informed decision as to whether it is worth buying one for yourself.

MaxwellBygraves

Don't worry about it and ride your bike

yeachan153

Yes I agree completely. I find the ride on the 2010 very comfortable, and hopefully it will be a good introduction to road biking. I was curious however, as to why the price had jumped £50 from the previous year; or is this just inflation?

-nightporter, seeing as you live in oxford; perhaps you know beeline bicycles? The salesman there emphasized the frame changes a lot, so just wandered what difference this made to the ride. Might go and test ride it, but thanks for the heads up; definately not getting the 2011 model

night_porter

I do know Beeline and I probably do trust the things they say but the cynic in me says selling bikes and gear is how salespeople make their living.

But as I said before if you try it and it is worth the extra to you then buy a new one. But it has to be worth it to you and you alone as it is your money!

Now if it was your favourite colour or you dream about it at night then no argument from me just buy it

The difference between the 2 bikes in cash terms is £180 and personally I would want a little bit more than a nicer colour for an extra £180?

I think you will find that the increase in price (without the discount) is due to exchange rate fluctuations, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose c'est la vie!

rich164h

It's not just a different colour though this time. The geometry of the Allez has always been different to that of the carbon Tarmac bikes, but this year they have been brought in-line with each other via an update to the allez's shape (in the same way that the Secteur and the Roubaix are the same).

What that means in real terms is harder to say and probably can only be judged on an individual basis (i.e. some people will prefer the older shape, some will prefer the newer one).

Is it worth £180 more? only you can decide really.

pbt150

Personally I'd take anything I was told in Beeline with a pinch of salt - I've been ignored in there for the best part of an hour before, and I got the impression they're not interested unless you're spending £££ on a new bike, and that they're just trying to make a sale.

The Allez has always been a very good entry-level bike, and if you got one for £380 you've done very well. It's definitely NOT worth buying the 2011 model if you've only just bought the 2010 - enjoy using your bike and perhaps consider replacing it at the beginning of next summer.

MichaelW

Be aware that, with inflation in the cost of parts, manufacturers often downgrade components to keep the bike at a pricepoint. They may downgrade hidden parts such as headset, bottom bracket, brakes etc rather than the headline components such as shifters, crankset, rear mech.
Often, last years bike is better than this years model.

morstar

MichaelW wrote:

Be aware that, with inflation in the cost of parts, manufacturers often downgrade components to keep the bike at a pricepoint. They may downgrade hidden parts such as headset, bottom bracket, brakes etc rather than the headline components such as shifters, crankset, rear mech.
Often, last years bike is better than this years model.

True,

I bought my Genesis Road 2 commuter at the end of 05' just managing to get the last of the 05' stock.

This bike was £500 with carbon fork, the new 06' stock was £550 with aluminium fork and better chainset if I recall.

Not necessarily an easy comparison of value but I was much happier with the 05' model and £50 in my pocket. (These were list prices, not a sale offer on the old model).