Secteur Comp vs Allez Comp

[lesley_x]

I am in the market for a new road bike and have narrowed it down to these two.

They are going for £999 each which is pretty good, and (just) in my budget. I have had a test ride on the Secteur sport which was lovely, fit me really well even as a lady. I haven't managed to test ride the Allez as it's difficult to source one in my size.

So, any thoughts on Allez vs Secteur, even if not the comp models? I know that the Allez is more race and the Secteur more endurance. Anyone had a go of both could help me decide? The paint job on the Secteur comp, although I know it shouldn't come into it, is lovely

I would probably rather have a double as in the Allez but not too fussed.

This is my first road bike btw.

Thankyou!

 

[jayonabike]

I have a Secteur Comp, this is my first road bike also. I love it, can't fault it at all, its very comfortable on long rides and goes fast enough for me. Like you say the main difference between the two bikes is the riding position and the Allez is a double, the Secteur a triple so its down to personal preference really. But if you want my opinion i'd say the Secteur.

jay

 

[lesley_x]

I have a Secteur Comp, this is my first road bike also. I love it, can't fault it at all, its very comfortable on long rides and goes fast enough for me. Like you say the main difference between the two bikes is the riding position and the Allez is a double, the Secteur a triple so its down to personal preference really. But if you want my opinion i'd say the Secteur.

jay

How do you find the acceleration/speed? That's my main concern with it. The salesmen keep saying it will be slower than the Allez because of the riding position.

 

[Norm]

The speed difference may be noticeable to a racer, otherwise it will be negligible. And, even if there is a speed difference (which I doubt), then would that matter anyway?

What do you want to do, though, Lesley? That's the only important question, IMO. If you are looking for a bike to do short (under 1 hour) rides, then you won't get much benefit from the Secteur's more comfortable ergonomics.

 

[jayonabike]

How do you find the acceleration/speed? That's my main concern with it. The salesmen keep saying it will be slower than the Allez because of the riding position.

I find the speed fine, i cant compare it to the allez as i've never ridden one. I find it speeds up quick, and where i live is quite hilly but my av. speed is 16-17 mph and top speed in the 30's. It all depends on the engine of course and this engines 40 years old!

 

[Becs]

I am in the market for a new road bike and have narrowed it down to these two.

They are going for £999 each which is pretty good, and (just) in my budget. I have had a test ride on the Secteur sport which was lovely, fit me really well even as a lady. I haven't managed to test ride the Allez as it's difficult to source one in my size.

So, any thoughts on Allez vs Secteur, even if not the comp models? I know that the Allez is more race and the Secteur more endurance. Anyone had a go of both could help me decide? The paint job on the Secteur comp, although I know it shouldn't come into it, is lovely

I would probably rather have a double as in the Allez but not too fussed.

This is my first road bike btw.

Thankyou!

Hi Lesley
I was in the same situation as you a few months back. I had to get a bike from Evans because of my company's Ride to Work scheme and only wanted to spend £1000. All the assistants seemed to recommend the trek 1.5 over those two but in the end (after a bunch of test rides) I got a Trek 2.3 and blew my budget a little - however this bike is now reduced to 999 (gutted!) especially in the smaller sizes (in the London stores at least). I love the bike and it has much better components than the 2 specialized ones you mentioned (apparently). I bought a triple in the end as I'm useless up hills and the extra gears help me to keep up with the boys without having an asthma attack!

 

[PpPete]

Have to say my experince of Specialized (via a friend's Secteur) is not good.
Back wheel was a P-O-S

Went back twice in first 2 weeks for loose spokes, buckled at first serious bump on tour. I took it apart in the end to rebuild it. Rim was naturally pringle shaped, so by definition spoke tensions could not be even.... so it was always going to give trouble. He scrapped it, and bought a £60 Omega wheel which has proved fine. Bizarrely the front Spesh wheel has been no trouble despite some serious abuse later in the tour..

 

[lesley_x]

My gripe with my current bike is that it's heavy, cumbersome and difficult to do long distances over. My maximum ride length has been 1 hour 15 min. It's just to difficult and uncomfortable to go any longer.

So I want it for both speed and endurance, which is why I can't make up my mind.

If there isn't going to be much difference in weight/speed, then I guess the Secteur is the way to go?