Upgrade from Allez Elite

jizzleb

Hi,

Had an Allez Elite for a year now (first roadie). Great bike but looking for something quicker and a lighter frame to upgrade moving forward.

Cyclescheme has come around again so max is 1K, and I've been looking at either a planet x carbon with Ultegra or a Ribble GF with 105.

I've read pretty good reviews about both of these bikes but I wonder if I'll see much different compared to my Allez Elite with Tiagra?

Any feedback would be great.

joelsim

Given the choice I would go for the Planet X every time. but then again I would never buy a Specialized bike because of how they act towards small manufacturers. Even so, the spec on the PX is so far superior.

buckmulligan

jizzleb wrote:

...planet x carbon with Ultegra or a Ribble GF with 105...

I don't think another Specialized was on the list of contenders, but grind away at that axe anyway 8)

DiscoBoy

It'll be lighter, the gears will be nicer to use, the ride will be different*. I don't know how the geometries compare, but your position will likely be pretty similar.

*nicer is subjective

mattrixdesign2

I am riding what was a bog standard Allez (2011 - bottom of the range, cost £380 new in the sale)... not much left that is original, other than the frame, forks and handle bars! Its now sporting decent wheels, Ultegra/105, FSA kit etc. Happy with it, seems to handle climbs and descents well, even touring.

I acutally really like the frame, and would replace it with a similar Alu Allez or Carbon Tarmac.

What is going to be quicker than a year old Allez Elite? Decent wheels may make a noticable difference? Rider will make the biggest difference.

Nothing wrong with Specialized bikes/designs, yes the are over priced in terms of £/lbs/kit, but you do get a nice frame and they do swap them out if you get cracks/defects (not that you should have any). I would recommend PlanetX (Ribble or Decathlon, etc) for someone looking to get into the sports, or first decent purchase, but its sounds like you have a good bike already?

I would also like to add PlanetX is the not the HolyGrail to all things bikes (neither is Specialized), seen quite a few FSA BB (seize) and headsets rust in less than 12 months on new PX bikes, can happen with any supplier, but it would be annoying if bought online and no way of getting it replaced easily.

rnarito

How about a Cannondale SuperSix Evo? You can now get them with Shimano 105 build...much more affordable and still very light!

jizzleb

mattrixdesign2 wrote:

I am riding what was a bog standard Allez (2011 - bottom of the range, cost £380 new in the sale)... not much left that is original, other than the frame, forks and handle bars! Its now sporting decent wheels, Ultegra/105, FSA kit etc. Happy with it, seems to handle climbs and descents well, even touring.

I actually really like the frame, and would replace it with a similar Alu Allez or Carbon Tarmac.

What is going to be quicker than a year old Allez Elite? Decent wheels may make a noticable difference? Rider will make the biggest difference.

Nothing wrong with Specialized bikes/designs, yes the are over priced in terms of £/lbs/kit, but you do get a nice frame and they do swap them out if you get cracks/defects (not that you should have any). I would recommend PlanetX (Ribble or Decathlon, etc) for someone looking to get into the sports, or first decent purchase, but its sounds like you have a good bike already?

I would also like to add PlanetX is the not the HolyGrail to all things bikes (neither is Specialized), seen quite a few FSA BB (seize) and headsets rust in less than 12 months on new PX bikes, can happen with any supplier, but it would be annoying if bought online and no way of getting it replaced easily.

Don't get me wrong, I really like my Allez, the frame is great and not a bad fit. Unfortunately my cyclescheme voucher is already on it's way (thought I could cancel but can not) otherwise I would have upgraded the wheels and chainset straight away. So what I'm doing is buying a new bike, selling the allez then spending the cash on some decent wheels for the new one.

PhunkyPhil

I would question the quality of a carbon frame on a bike which costs less than a grand with the Ultegra group set.

The difference in cost isn't that much more than your Allez but you gain the better gears.

Are you buying canon to say you have carbon? I'd stick with what you have.

gingejp

What my friend did was get his £1000 cycle to work voucher. Join British Cycling (£32/year, but includes liability insurance & other benefits) which gets you 10% off at Halfords. The Boardman Pro Carbon SLR lists at £1800 and comes with full ultegra kit. Your £1000 voucher means you need £800, which you'll get 10% off so need £720 cash. With the c2w voucher and the discount his bike stood him at £1350... Great value.... You will need an understanding halfords store though, as I don't think your supposed to be able to add anything on top of your c2w voucher.

jizzleb

gingejp wrote:

What my friend did was get his £1000 cycle to work voucher. Join British Cycling (£32/year, but includes liability insurance & other benefits) which gets you 10% off at Halfords. The Boardman Pro Carbon SLR lists at £1800 and comes with full ultegra kit. Your £1000 voucher means you need £800, which you'll get 10% off so need £720 cash. With the c2w voucher and the discount his bike stood him at £1350... Great value.... You will need an understanding halfords store though, as I don't think your supposed to be able to add anything on top of your c2w voucher.

Yeah I'm not sure if many places will allow extra cash on top with Cyclescheme but that would be one way to go. If I only I could use the voucher for a dropper post and some new wheels for my mtb........

Thanks for your advice!

PhunkyPhil

The problem with doing a deal with a shop for the bike is an ownership issue. Technically you don't own the bike till it's iPad off and your company owns it. If you get made redundant/leave you will have a choice of either paying off the bike or giving it back.

Therefore think twice about spending extra because if you got made redundant and had to give the bike back because of lack of funds to pay off then you will lose any extra money you spent as well.

antsmithmk

I also own an Allez Elite and would echo the comment above.... Its a very decent frame. I've spent double the cost of an Allez on a Rose carbon with Ultegra which weighs in at under 7kg. I can notice a difference, Ultegra is a noticeable step up on Tiagra. Might be more economical to upgrade the group set and wheel set? But if you want a carbon bike with a very decent group set, buy a Rose!

Mike_L

Hi
I've just upgraded from a 2010 Allez Elite to a Planet X RT-58 (CF Frame) with full Ultegra.

PX allowed me to add my own cash to the £1K Cyclescheme voucher - but note they surcharge you 10%
to recoup what Cyclescheme charge THEM.

I had previously upgraded the wheel on Allez to Aksiums - so not so much difference there , but Ultegra gears definitely smoother than Tiagra.

Mike