Specialized Allez - worth it?

almightyt123

I currently own a Specialized Sirrus 2009 hybrid ( http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016919 ).

Although a hybrid, it is much closer to a road bike than other hybrids. However, recently I've wanted to purchase a real road bike with the drops, such as the Specialized Allez ( http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... ed%20allez ).

I was wondering whether I would notice a big difference between the two and therefore whether the upgrade would be worth it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

night_porter

Both bikes appear to be similar apart from the handlebars.

You really need to understand why you are thinking of changing and what type of riding you do to really understand what the difference would be.

It is easy to say that drops are more comfortable than flat bars because of the different hand positions.

What if you have bar ends on and only use the bike to commute - Bar ends give you more positions and if commuting in traffic you will spend a lot of the time on the hoods so no major gain there (you would think?).

If you like to go for long rides and need to move your hands because of numbness then drops could be a solution. But so could ergo grips.

Then there is ducking out of the headwind by getting down on the drops and putting some serious power down.

I have 3 drop barred bikes and 2 flat barred bikes and it really depends on what type of riding I am doing as to which one I ride, they all have benefits and suit differing rides.

Tell us more about your riding and perhaps we can help more?

deadlegs

I switched from a 2008 Sirrus to a 2009 Allez Elite at Christmas. I loved the Sirrus but haven't regretted it for a second. I use the Allez for commuting, club rides & time trials. The Sirrus is now gathering dust in the shed.

Frame (E5 alu version) is smaller more compact & lighter. It took about 5 rides to get used to the steering, different shifters and loss of braking power. The gearing is the same as the Sirrus - although I got a compact 50/34 rather than triple chainset, which is plenty for the hills in Dorset. The best thing is the range of riding positions. It took me a bit longer to stop getting back & neck ache but stretching, correct set-up & miles on the bike sorted this. I was worried about the change in riding style but you can still get out of the saddle & give it some on a road bike.

I certainly noticed a difference in average & top speed due to more aero position - on my Sirrus it felt like I was wasting a lot of energy fighting the wind. I find I am more aware of my riding position on the Allez & try to be more efficient (this may be twaddle though ).

**Take note** a road bike will eventually result in the purchase of lycra & you could end up living on this forum. Defo test ride one though - more than once as it will just feel weird & twitchy the first time.

petemadoc

Deadlegs wrote:

**Take note** a road bike will eventually result in the purchase of lycra & you could end up living on this forum.

Not just Lycra! New wheels, new cassettes, jerseys, more lycra, tyres, tubes, and so it goes on and on . . . .

night_porter

As you can tell from deadlegs post you will get:

1) Loss of braking power

2) Back & Neck ache

3) It will feel nervous and twitchy

But he believes he now rides faster and he loves it, pretty much the same as most people do.

Not forgetting that taped handlebars feel oh so thin compared to flat bar grips (at first).

I think the aero thing is not as great as we all like to believe but drop bars just make us want to ride faster. After all deadlegs is using the same weight bike with the same range of gears and his engine (legs) are the same....it is pure desire!

A proper Road bike makes you feel you are part of an elite club and because you do not want to let the other members down you try harder, after all you don't want people with flat barred bikes to scalp you now do you?

PeteMadoc is right too but don't be scared this is all part of the fun of road biking.

Come and join the "roadie club" you will not regret it! We are 8)

tobermory

I also have a sirrus and it is fine for all my commuting riding to work and pootling down the shops,and would not swap it as its set up with rack and bags on it,amardillo tyres but for fun at week ends i have another bike.
But i do not race or anything like that i find its better on the open road.

almightyt123

Thanks for your advice everyone.

I think you have all persuaded me that getting a proper road bike would be worth it!
At the moment I am largely a casual rider but that is something I am looking to change and would therefore be able to profit from the benefits you have mentioned.

I went today to a local shop. Unfortunately they were out of the Allez in my size but I did try a Jamis Ventura Sport 2011 which I really liked. Anyone have any knowledge about this bike and how it compares to the Allez?

night_porter

The important part is that having ridden it you "really liked" it.

I have ridden a Spesh but not the Jamis, as far as I know Jamis are quite popular in the states and Evans have decided to import them this year. Evans used to import Fuji bikes and although they too are popular overseas they didn't really catch on here. I know I bought one. Maybe the Jamis will fare better.

When buying your first road bike it is worth thinking about when you decide to upgrade to your second (I know it seems a little early). However if you decide to sell on the first bike then buying one of the most popular 3 (mid-priced manufacturers) may help with the subsequent sale.

These are Specialized, Trek and Giant and they are very popular 2nd hand buys just check Ebay for how much they sell for.

Of course you may decide, like many of us do, to keep the first bike for winter training or commuting. I think the Jamis will take mudguards so it will fit the bill.

So the choice is yours, you like it and expect to keep it long term then that is good enough but if you think you might need to move it on then go with a known brand.

It is a little like buying a Golf over a Skoda both good cars built by the same company but which will hold it's value longest?