1st Road bike

Steve7577

I've been mountain biking for a while, but I have just started to get into Road biking. Looking at buying my first bike and I am looking at either Specialized Allez or Wilier Montegrappa sora.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Steve7577

Thanks for the reply and advice.
My budget is up to £ 600, I know the Wilier is more, but I have seen it on sale.
The main use for the bike will be just general road use for fitness and enjoyment potentially leading to taking part in events. At the moment, on a good week, I am doing about 100 miles on a hard tail mtb with slick tyres!

supermurph09

I've had the 2012 Allez since August last year, nice bike not had any problems with it, gear shifts to the big ring not always smooth but other than that I've really enjoyed the bike. I've just bought a Cube Agree GTC Race today but I won't be getting rid of the Allez, I'll save that for bad weather days as its been a good servant. I've done rides, mainly hilly Derbyshire ones upto about 40 miles and its been fine. The frame is widely regarded, but if you want exclusivity then the Allez might not be for you as its a popular choice (with reason) but having said that so what!

smoggysteve

What gearset is on the Allez? If its better than the Sora get that. Sora is fiddly on the down change. Apart from that at the price you are looking at most bikes are pretty much even on comfort, weight, style. End of the day, buy which one you think suits you most.

Neil_aky

I'm in the same boat but for the spec I think I am going to wait for the new Triban 5 with 2013 Sora; its due in Decathlon Mid-March apparently.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-a-id_8239801.html

supermurph09

SmoggySteve wrote:

What gearset is on the Allez? If its better than the Sora get that. Sora is fiddly on the down change. Apart from that at the price you are looking at most bikes are pretty much even on comfort, weight, style. End of the day, buy which one you think suits you most.

The 2012 model I have is 2300, not sure about the 2013. The 2012 also comes with a carbon fork, the 2013 model doesn't.

banditvic

Pauls cycles have a cannondale CAAD 8 2012 sora for £599 great bikes.

thegreatdivide

I've got two Wilier bikes so I'd say go with the Wilier, but when I got back into road cycling I kicked off on an Allez Sport and it did the job just fine.

zx6man

SmoggySteve wrote:

What gearset is on the Allez? If its better than the Sora get that. Sora is fiddly on the down change. Apart from that at the price you are looking at most bikes are pretty much even on comfort, weight, style. End of the day, buy which one you think suits you most.

2013 sora has the paddles. (And only fiddly from the drops :-) )