First bike - Allez or Secteur

MSByrne

Hi, this is my first post here, I've been road cycling in the most amateuresque manner for about a year now on an old MTB. Now it's my 18th birthday and I'm looking at getting a Specialized Allez or Secteur from 2010 here because of the good price:
Secteur: http://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=52409
Allez: http://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=52415

I think I want a triple because I live in a hilly area and my thought is that it's better to have the extra low gears there even if I don't need them most of the time. I'm in relatively good shape though so would anyone think this could actually be a bad idea?

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Secteur, because it's apparently more comfortable and I've ridden both and I agree vaguely and I plan to ride long endurance trips and possibly a century soon so this may be the right kind for me. However, I'm young and in good shape and I'm wondering how significant the relaxed geometry would actually be to someone like me?

Also, does anyone have any idea of the actual performance difference one can expect from the Allez over the Secteur? I'm not actually looking to join clubs and race properly, but if I changed my mind would choosing the Secteur prove to be a disadvantage to me?

Thank you for reading and any answers

yeachan153

Ive got an allez - Dont find it uncomfortable, especially since im on hoods most of the time. But if there is headwind; the racier geomatery does help punch through especially on drops then on the secteur. Well, thats what i felt when test riding.

m00nd0g

I used to ride an Allez and enjoyed it.
The Allez is similair geometry to the Tarmac and the Secateur similair to the Roubaix.
If you have no back complaints go for the Allez.

Where abouts are you?
Do you really need a triple?
You might not want a double but have you considered a compact?

MSByrne

m00nd0g wrote:

I used to ride an Allez and enjoyed it.
The Allez is similair geometry to the Tarmac and the Secateur similair to the Roubaix.
If you have no back complaints go for the Allez.

Where abouts are you?
Do you really need a triple?
You might not want a double but have you considered a compact?

I live in the North Downs which is fairly hilly, not exactly mountainous though! I'm not really sure if I would use a triple, I use the granny ring on my MTB when on the road but that could just be because the thing weighs so much, my problem with a compact is that they're fairly expensive and I worry I'd have to sacrifice some high gears for it?

My thought is - is there really any disadvantage to getting a triple over a double so if I ever did decide to go somewhere and do some more serious climbs I could have gears which could help me out?

How significant would the performance difference between the Allez and the Secteur be? I don't care too much about being 30 seconds slower over a ride if I feel in better shape at the end, but if the loss of performance with the Secteur is really significant then I'd probably rather have the Allez, seeing as I haven't got any back problems.

AndyF16

Unless you're heading for the Alps/Pyrenees regularly I reckon a triple would be a waste for you, compact 50/34 should be more than adequate

By the way, do try not to go on about being young and fit - we're mainly ageing burnouts on here

MSByrne

Haha, point taken, all things said I've decided to go for the Secteur (which only comes in triple at that price) because it's my first bike and I want to get into it slowly and easily. At the moment I have no desire to compete and just want to get more fit and try and do some long distance endurance riding purely for fun and enjoyment - to that end the Secteur seems like a better bike!

When I've got more money in the future and I'm better at riding, I'll definitely try and get a more expensive performance orientated bike, but at the moment I'm just really excited about being able to go out there and get hooked on cycling.

As for the triple - probably a waste but I like the idea of trying to challenge myself never to use it when it's there to improve my willpower

Thanks very much for all the help and advice.

Lycra Man

MSByrne - I agree with your choice. Although I have not ridden the Secteur nor Allez, the Secteur has a more relaxed geometry, which will be more comfortable over long distances. And as for the triple, if you look over the bikes used by Audax riders, who specialise in long distance riding, you will find many with triples. In my personal experience, there is something good about reaching a really steep hill after 150 miles and still being able to get up it without stopping, by using a granny ring.

Lots of road cyclists scoff at triples, but I think they are great.

Enjoiy your Secteur, and tell us about it.

Lycra Man

MSByrne

Thanks Lycra Man, I really don't mind what other cyclists think, I'm just out to have fun and challenge myself - and if having fun means fighting my way to the top of one big climb even if I need my granny ring then that's what I'll do

I'm really excited, hopefully it should arrive next week so I should be able to take it out on the long weekend and see how it rides, hopefully it'll be the start of a long commitment to cycling frequently! I'll let you all know how I get on.

-steves-

Best of luck on the Sectuer, I bought mine at the beginning of February, just done my first 50 mile ride on it today, and I truely love it. Its a bottom of the range, cheapest I could get with all base range equipment, I LOVE IT and it does me very very proud, ENJOY yours too

Big ABC

Bought the Sectuer Elite 2011 last week and been out on it twice this weeend. its definately the right frame for me (over the Allez) as its less racy. loving it

samartin26

Recently bought a Secteur myself...with the intention of doing a 100 miler later this year. So far I've only been out a few times, but it is very comfortable. And hopefully I'll still think like this after 50 and 60 and 70 miles

MSByrne

I'm comforted by all the good reviews, I'm so glad lots of you like it! I'm looking forward to hopefully being able to do a century late this summer too, but having only managed a few 30 milers so far it's a long way to go, but at least now I'm comforted by the fact I have the right bike and the determination to work for it can anyone tell me what kind of average speeds they have managed to get out of a secteur?

Bobbinogs

can anyone tell me what kind of average speeds they have managed to get out of a secteur?

Heh heh, I bet Cav could get a decent average out of a Secteur but he could get that out of a shopping bike built with scaffold poles and a basket at the front .

I have a Secteur Elite (2010) and also a couple of other road bikes (with standard doubles, BTW). No real difference in speed between any of them and one bike is 25 years old and the other is a steel frame, so all three are quite different.

The Secteur is definitely my bike of choice though for longer rides over very hilly terrain mainly because of the comfort of the geo...and the triple helps too, although I swapped the cassette to an 11-25, my Secteur came with a 12-28 and I never used the 30x28 combo.

My advice would be to ignore what average speed other folks manage because it don't matter diddly squat. Just enjoy your rides, gradually build the miles up, work hard and the average speed will sort itself out.

Rich Hcp

Bobbinogs wrote:

can anyone tell me what kind of average speeds they have managed to get out of a secteur?

My advice would be to ignore what average speed other folks manage because it don't matter diddly squat. Just enjoy your rides, gradually build the miles up, work hard and the average speed will sort itself out.

Exactly!

Your route and conditions are different to anyone else's

Go for all round improvement in your own performance, stuff everyone else's average!

I have an Allez, there was no Secteur around when I bought it and I would have been stuck for choice if it had!

Mine's a triple and I don't use it most of the time, but boy is it useful when I do!

The main thing is to enjoy it

danowat

I personally, think bikes like the Sectuer are solving a problem that shouldn't really exist.

An Allez (well fitted of course) is as comfortable as the next bike, I've done a 200k Audax on mine, and it was fine.

dgstewart

I have both a Roubaix and a Tarmac, which are the same geometry as the Secteur and Allez respectively. I love both bikes and happily ride either. I had the Roubaix first, and when I tried the Tarmac I was expecting a significantly harsher ride. However, in reality, whilst it is not quite as smooth as the Roubaix, it is still a very comfortable bike.

In terms of speed, I think you'll find little difference between them. The Secteur is slightly higher at the front, but you can drop the bars down as much as 20mm from the starting point which I think makes it pretty much the same geometry as the Allez. To be fair you can do that on Allez also, to go even lower if you want.

Personally if I had to choose just one I would go for the Tarmac (Allez in your case), as it's just a bit sharper and more responsive overall. In my case my Tarmac is a higher spec model than my Roubaix so that also influences my thoughts.

You won't go wrong with either, but the best thing to do is to test ride both of them, even if its the current 2011 models (there will be little if any difference between 2010 and 2011 models to ride).

As for the triple vs. compact vs. standard double, unless you’re on very steep and/or long hills there is little difference between any of them as you won’t be in bottom gear anyway. However, on the steep stuff you may be glad of the extra low gears. You are definitely correct in saying that it’s better to have them and not use them, than to not have them when you need them! A test ride should help – get out on the bike and find some steep hills and see what you think about the bottom few gears on the test bike, then decide how low you want. There can be very little difference between a compact and a triple depending on the cassette on the back – 34/27 is pretty much the same as 30/25. That said if the good price you see on your web link above is only available as a triple, then decision made! Enjoy whatever you go for…

Super Domestique

I had the dilemma of allez v secteur last yr. Although wanting a double over a triple helped plus the allez in red is stunning.

MSByrne

Thanks again for more really useful replies

I'm really happy with my choice of the Secteur and I'm reassured by the knowledge that the performance difference between the two is minimal anyway!

It clearly was pointless to ask for average speeds on the Secteur, as that means absolutely nothing, but what I was trying to get at was how does it compare to other bikes people own - poor wording on my part

I had a few more questions, obviously this would differ from store to store but does anyone have any idea what state of assembly this bike is likely to arrive in? I bought it from The Bike Factory which seems professional and trustworthy enough, has anyone bought anything from them before?

If this bike is likely to be disassembled when I get it is it probably a good idea to get my LBS to assemble it for me or have a go myself (my dad at least is an engineer and is hopefully at least slightly technically competent!).

Thanks again for the comments.

MSByrne

Super Domestique wrote:

I had the dilemma of allez v secteur last yr. Although wanting a double over a triple helped plus the allez in red is stunning.

yeah I saw that too and was gutted that the red didn't come with the triple version, otherwise I would have gone for the Allez in a heartbeat... shows how superficial my taste is

Sheikhus

Hey there MSB. I've also ordered myself a secteur from the bike factory and am expecting delivery tomorrow. As you can tell, I can't sleep for excitement! I had a lot of the same thoughts as you before going for the secteur and as you know, at under £400, the 2010 seems great value. In the end I thought I just want something that I Am going to want to ride on for now, and next year can start looking at fancier stuff if I feel I need it. Like I said, I can't wait.

I did ask the chap at TBF what state it would be delivered in. Sounds like to get it in the box they remove the front wheel, drops and pedals, so you should be able to fix it yourself on delivery.

Anyhow, enjoy and we can swap notes later!

MSByrne

That sounds awesome, let me know how you get on! I'm really reassured that it's delivered in (mostly) one piece - I know by the time i get it I'll just be desperate to give it a ride

How long ago did you order yours? I'm not expecting mine to arrive soon, and I'm sure it'll be delayed further by this flood of bank holidays at the moment (not that I'm complaining!) but I just want to have it and get riding straight away.

I completely agree with your reasons for choosing the Secteur, it just seems like a logical choice for a first bike, especially if I'm going to be able to get a better one in a year or two if I still have the cycling bug by then.

Super Domestique

Congrats guys. I may have chosen the Allez but think the Secteur is a great bike too. In fact a friend of mine has the Elite version and loves it and he in fact was the one who pointed me in the direction of Spesh when I wanted a road bike.

pjm300

i got the allez sport triple and i'm loving it. a bit of a tweak to bring the seat forward and the bars down, changed the tyres and tubes and its plenty quick enough for me.
i dont live in a particularly hilly area, but i havent found the need for the middle ring, let alone the granny - if i'd have done more research i would have definitely gone for the double - although i'm not sure that came in white...

Bobbinogs

Blimey, that shows how the local terrain can affect bike choice and usage. My average training ride of 70 miles will see me using every usable gear of my triple. In fact, I only went out for about 40 miles yesterday on a bike with a standard double and ended up feeling pretty destroyed and wanting more gears when the final big climb loomed into view. Still, that will teach me for doing a "follow my nose" route.

Sheikhus

Well it turns out that it's not left the warehouse yet, so I won't be taking delivery till tomorrow now. I ordered it on Monday and thought that was too good to be true! Oh well. One more day.

MSByrne

Sheikhus wrote:

Well it turns out that it's not left the warehouse yet, so I won't be taking delivery till tomorrow now. I ordered it on Monday and thought that was too good to be true! Oh well. One more day.

Woah, that's still quick! Sorry it didn't make it today, I know how you feel I ordered mine on Monday too so I can pray it gets to me tomorrow if I'm lucky so I can use it over the weekend, otherwise it'll be four agonizing days of waiting

How did you manage to find out the delivery time etc.?

MSByrne

Hmm - interesting development just now! I just got an email from TBF explaining that my bike went out of stock after I ordered it but the website wasn't updated! On the one hand that's very annoying, but on the other, they offered me a free upgrade to the 2011 version, so to be honest I'm delighted. Also I owe credit to the good customer service, especially as the email was very prompt (it was sent yesterday but I only read it today).

davenice

Just to add to the affirmation:

I got a triple secteur last September. I'm glad I got a triple, I'm not the lightest so there's a bit of me to lug around!

Generally I'll be in the middle ring and top ring. I can do my commute like this - climbing 200ft in a mile. It is nice to have the little ring for big hills where otherwise I'd probably get off. I do try not to use it, though.

I think the main disadvantages are the additional weight (not a biggie - I can eat a few less cakes to compensate!) and that I think keeping the front derailleur adjusted nicely is a touch more complicated.

Overall very happy!

wishitwasallflat

Hi thought I would join in as I got a Sectuer Elite Apex last week from Specialised Concept Store in Harrogate. Ok I know it's more expensive than web but the level of service, fitting etc and access to a demo bike to try on my training route more than made up for any price difference (IMHO).

I have only been out on mine three times but so far I love it. Its my first road bike and as I have history of back problems was wary about drops, vibration etc. I am moving on from a Carrera Crossfire II Hybrid but I had upgraded saddle and wheels and tyres on it so it was not a bad bike. No issues so far with Sectuer - mine is set up with only 20mm or so drop from saddle to hoods though and I can ride in the drops for five ten minutes or so. My training run is now 20 miles two or three times a week - pretty hilly and I was (and still am) doing 14.5 mph average - your probably getting that I am both unfit and old but heh I am working in the former and can't help the latter! I am hoping once the Sectuer settles in I will up both distance and average speed. One thing though I struggled to get the wheel diameter for my cycle computer as the chart size was quite abit more than the measured size (700x25 tyres) - I think I may have over measured the Carrera wheel and/or undermeasured the Sectuer? Can anyone tell me what size they make their Sectuer Wheels - mine came with Specialise All conditons 700 x 25?

richardabulmer

hey mate, dont forget about the giant defy range. these have the same relaxed geometry that the sectuer has. however unlike the secteur, giant do their own full length mudguards for the defy range. if you want mudguards on the secteur you will need the crud ones, and fitting those were a complete pain in the butt. I wish to god i had have bought a defy now.

btw defy's are currently on sale at cyclestore

Pickled Pig

MSByrne wrote:

On the one hand that's very annoying, but on the other, they offered me a free upgrade to the 2011 version, so to be honest I'm delighted.

Just make sure the newer version isn't lower spec: the 2009 Allez Elite with 105 was downgraded to Tiagra for 2010, the price dropped as well. Newer doesn't necessarily mean better!