Allez vs caad8 vs Trek 1.5 help please

Jackm2100

Hi all,
I am looking to buy my first road bike after increasingly cycling on roads with my hybrid trek. My budget is around the £400 mark and I would prefer to buy used (maybe a bike that retailed a few years ago for £800-£1000). I have shortlisted the Trek 1.5, Specialized Allez Elite or Sport and the Cannondale Caad8. As ever I am swayed with groupset so would prefer a tiagra or 105 set.

Are these good bikes?
Are there any better/similar that I should be looking at?
Am I right in prioritising groupset (is there much difference between say sora and tiagra)?
I ride around 50-100 miles a month, I am 6ft 1 (58 frame),

Also is brand new sora better than 5 year old tiagra groupset?

Cheers, any advice much appreciated

kajjal

You are taking the right approach. I had a Trek 1.5 and did thousands of miles on it. The only upgrade I did was to fit better brakes and tyres but apart from that it was a good bike just like the others you mention. It was the one below

http://archive.trekbikes.com/uk/en/2013 ... ct/details

This bike or newer can be picked up second hand for £200-£300 in good condition and I would not want to buy a bike that is any older. Just make sure the bike is either barely ridden / in as new condition or well maintained without any signs of abuse. If you are unsure just walk away.

Jackm2100

Thanks for the advice. Yes the 1.5 does look good and most I have looked at are a few years old with just scratches.

Thick Mike

I bought a CAAD8 this year. I too am 6'1" and thought I would need a 58, but ended up with a better fit on a 56. Bloke in the shop said that Cannondale geometry comes up on the larger side.

Jackm2100

That's interesting to hear, would you recommend the caad8?

ayjaycee

My experience was similar to Kajjal but for Trek read Specialized Allez Elite (2015 model). New brakes (Ultegra 6800) and tyres (Continental GP 4 Seasons) were all it needed to make a fantastic bike. I still have it but it' s now got mudguards on for wet weather use. See here:
viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=13040738&p=19753701&hilit=Mudguards+Specialized+Allez+elite#p19753835
We all have our own preferences and if you are buying 2nd hand, I suspect that your choice might be dictated by what's available but if you do have a choice, all other things being equal, going for the one that looks best to you is as good as anything. For what it's worth, I'm 6'1"and a bit and the Allez in 56cm is spot on for me.

marin_maniac

I can't comment on the Allez or Caad, but I've had a few Trek's in my time.

If you budget can stretch another £50-£100 you can pick up a pretty clean Trek 2.1/2.3 in fleabay if your patient with 10 or 11 speed.