Upgrades to 2003 Specialized Allez Elite (Vs.New Cervelo S2)
Hi All, newbie gear/upgrade question(s) here. I have a 2003 Specialized Allez Elite (Aluminum body) with 105 Shimano I still love; done 6-7 triathlons, cruised fairly happily and gone through a couple sets of tires (or tyres) on it.
But I rented a Cervelo S2 (Carbon body) earlier this summer and took a good fancy to its responsiveness and freshness, and found and BOUGHT (in Sept. 2015) a new 2014 S2 105 Shimano cheap.
Advice/problem/question: the Cervelo seems like a time machine, and the Allez still maybe more of an all-around. On a triathlon last week the Cervelo felt a little unstable on a descent, something I was not used to from the Allez. Is this common because of the aero nature of the S-series? But now I love both bikes, and want to make them work-- perhaps as below.
Upgrading the 2003 Allez
(1) The cranks and cassette and chain on the Allez could seem to use replacing. (1a) Groupset upgrade for Allez option: I see Shimano 5700 105 groupsets for around $400. That would totally upgrade the bike, at a sizable cost as I'd pay the LBS to install. I have put some 25cm Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II's on the Allez and it rolls much more elegantly, but my drivetrain still creaks (crank or ball bearing?) and doesn't smoothly proceed and purr like I'd like.
(1b) Frankenbike(s) option: Part of me wants to replace the old wheels on the Allez (AlX330) with the wheels from the Cervelo (Shimano R500), thereby hopefully also using the newish rear cassette from the Cervelo and replace with new stuff the Allez chain and cranks (and bottom bracket?, rather than the whole 5700 groupset upgrade above, but would that even end up cheaper?). Not sure the gearing works from the S2 rear cassette wheel on the Allez though. Could that work?
If that works, I'd then get some better wheels for the S2 (most say the wheels are the weak point on this bike, even though used replacement Zipps or the like seems quite pricey for a middle of the packer like me!).
(2) Are these two steeds even good and different enough to co-exist? Like, are there some out there who like a properly outfitted aluminum Specialized or so for metric centuries and cruising to the pub? And then use an S2 or similar to clip in and go fast? Is this perhaps 'conventional wisdom,' or folly?
Some may berate me in one way or another as a result of all this (perhaps a little deservedly! being a naif on this site), so I've offered some useful pre-emptive takes of those varieties below!
But any real input about this two bike situation and how best to utilize, rectify and/or upgrade as most beneficial is appreciated.
Thanks, Colby
Canned repiles:
"You're a punter! If you can walk, you should just stick with that!"
"You should get a radio flyer and your tin foil hat and quickly go find your kind!"
or
"The Allez was all you need -- sell the S2 and get new (x,y,z) on the Specialized and ride into the sunset."
"The S2 should be the only steed you need. They imported some of the geometry from the R series into the 2014 and on, so you should be able to all around on it just fine, centuries, tri's, etc. I do on mine and etc."
"If you want to spend even more money, u,v,w"
"If you want to not spend so much, x,y,z"
Do let me know.
Thanks,
But I rented a Cervelo S2 (Carbon body) earlier this summer and took a good fancy to its responsiveness and freshness, and found and BOUGHT (in Sept. 2015) a new 2014 S2 105 Shimano cheap.
Advice/problem/question: the Cervelo seems like a time machine, and the Allez still maybe more of an all-around. On a triathlon last week the Cervelo felt a little unstable on a descent, something I was not used to from the Allez. Is this common because of the aero nature of the S-series? But now I love both bikes, and want to make them work-- perhaps as below.
Upgrading the 2003 Allez
(1) The cranks and cassette and chain on the Allez could seem to use replacing. (1a) Groupset upgrade for Allez option: I see Shimano 5700 105 groupsets for around $400. That would totally upgrade the bike, at a sizable cost as I'd pay the LBS to install. I have put some 25cm Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II's on the Allez and it rolls much more elegantly, but my drivetrain still creaks (crank or ball bearing?) and doesn't smoothly proceed and purr like I'd like.
(1b) Frankenbike(s) option: Part of me wants to replace the old wheels on the Allez (AlX330) with the wheels from the Cervelo (Shimano R500), thereby hopefully also using the newish rear cassette from the Cervelo and replace with new stuff the Allez chain and cranks (and bottom bracket?, rather than the whole 5700 groupset upgrade above, but would that even end up cheaper?). Not sure the gearing works from the S2 rear cassette wheel on the Allez though. Could that work?
If that works, I'd then get some better wheels for the S2 (most say the wheels are the weak point on this bike, even though used replacement Zipps or the like seems quite pricey for a middle of the packer like me!).
(2) Are these two steeds even good and different enough to co-exist? Like, are there some out there who like a properly outfitted aluminum Specialized or so for metric centuries and cruising to the pub? And then use an S2 or similar to clip in and go fast? Is this perhaps 'conventional wisdom,' or folly?
Some may berate me in one way or another as a result of all this (perhaps a little deservedly! being a naif on this site), so I've offered some useful pre-emptive takes of those varieties below!
But any real input about this two bike situation and how best to utilize, rectify and/or upgrade as most beneficial is appreciated.
Thanks, Colby
Canned repiles:
"You're a punter! If you can walk, you should just stick with that!"
"You should get a radio flyer and your tin foil hat and quickly go find your kind!"
or
"The Allez was all you need -- sell the S2 and get new (x,y,z) on the Specialized and ride into the sunset."
"The S2 should be the only steed you need. They imported some of the geometry from the R series into the 2014 and on, so you should be able to all around on it just fine, centuries, tri's, etc. I do on mine and etc."
"If you want to spend even more money, u,v,w"
"If you want to not spend so much, x,y,z"
Do let me know.
Thanks,
0
Comments
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Or, if you want a much more recent Allez, sell the S2 and buy a 2015 Allez Elite from me (see: viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13029133&p=19606723#p19606723). I have to sell that and another bike as I want to buy a new winter bike but don't have enough storage space in the shed. Wheels have been changed to Mavic Aksiums since that picture. I will be putting it in the for sale section soon but PM me if you are interested.Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
Kinesis Racelight 4S
Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)0 -
Considering the age of the Allez are they both the same speed? I would think the Cervelo was 10 speed but the Allez more likely 9 or even 8
It in the long run may be better to just swap the whole Cervelo groupset onto the Allez (BB compatability issues allowing) and getting a nice shiny new groupset 11 speed for the Cervelo to future proof it. You can get Ultegra 11 speed at a very good price ATM to make it a better option than an old 10 speed 105 say.
Personally I would
Swap out all the old groupset from Cervelo onto Allez and make it a winter trainer.
Buy a complete new groupset for the Cervelo and look at a semi Aero wheelset ie - Fulcrum Quattros if cost is an issue. If you are worried abou the stability of the Cervelo as you say, full on 50mm carbon tubs or similar may make matters worse for you.
End of the day, its your personal preference and budget constraints that decide.0 -
I'd make the S2 into a TT bike with dedicated aero bars.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
I'd make the S2 into a TT bike with dedicated aero bars.
Would maybe be an option, but since drafting has been allowed in Triathlons, some ban aero bars so it make the bike a bit limited and 1 dimensional0 -
I'd make the S2 into a TT bike with dedicated aero bars.
Would maybe be an option, but since drafting has been allowed in Triathlons, some ban aero bars so it make the bike a bit limited and 1 dimensional
In a drafting tri, use the spesh, as you are drafting, you'd get minimal benefit from an aero frame anyway.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
Good stuff Maglia Rosa, I'll look into those costs. Wanted to save money somehow, but in the long run as you say that could be the way to go, if the Allez takes the S2 components (BB), as you said.
AJayC, nice Allez, I'll think about it. And Napoleon I like making the S2 into a more dedicated tri/speed bike. Maybe if I mount Ultegra 11 speed on there, I'd put a permanent tri bar on the front later. Right now I'm looking to do some longer rides in the fall probably on the Allez, so I'd like to upgrade that first.
Anybody know for sure if the S2 groupset and components can be switched over to the 2003 Allez? It is 9 speed currently.0 -
I'd make the S2 into a TT bike with dedicated aero bars.
Would maybe be an option, but since drafting has been allowed in Triathlons, some ban aero bars so it make the bike a bit limited and 1 dimensional
In a drafting tri, use the spesh, as you are drafting, you'd get minimal benefit from an aero frame anyway.
Whereas that may be true when you are drafting, what if you are not? What if you are dropped or just alone with no ones wheel to sit behind? I would prefer the aero frame over the Allez for the occasions you are not drafting. In a race nobody is there to help you are they?0 -
I'd make the S2 into a TT bike with dedicated aero bars.
Would maybe be an option, but since drafting has been allowed in Triathlons, some ban aero bars so it make the bike a bit limited and 1 dimensional
In a drafting tri, use the spesh, as you are drafting, you'd get minimal benefit from an aero frame anyway.
Whereas that may be true when you are drafting, what if you are not? What if you are dropped or just alone with no ones wheel to sit behind? I would prefer the aero frame over the Allez for the occasions you are not drafting. In a race nobody is there to help you are they?
Jeez. Then you do what you want. If you get dropped then you probably aren't going fast enough to get the benefit of an aero frame. I reckon it'd be ideal for the OP.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
Nap, Good point but, then again, I would suggest that an awful lot of the mortals that buy 'aero' kit don't really perform to the standard where they would gain any real benefit from it.Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
Kinesis Racelight 4S
Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)0
