Specialised Allez Elite et al

[bobg]

Just popped into my LBS today to see if they stocked the Dawes Audax ( 2006 is reduced to £550 on Spa ) and was seduced into throwing my leg over a the Allez Elite and a similar Dolan. I need something somewhat less of a clunker than my present motley collection cos I'm about to embark on my very first club run soon. I'm told the group I'll be riding with are known as the Oompaloompa's (sp) Sounds about right for me ...

As I can't get a test ride on the Dawes and I can on the others I was wondering what you all thought. I know its a personal thing but I'd still be interested to hear any comments?? They do other stuff but its way over my price range. I'll have a proper test ride when my endowment matures soon
Thanks

 

[itisaboutthebike]

Mmmm - quite a quandry........


not entirely sure of the specs of each but I think its 631(steel) tubing with slightly less racey geometry than the Spesh Allez elite, and so won't be as - for want of a better word - racier feel.

I think the Dawes also probably has a triple chainset whereas the Spesh probably has a compact (34/50).

The Spesh is alloy (with carbon rear ?) - again yer pays yer money and I'm sure theres endless threads with the alloy/steel debate. The fact that the Spesh has a carbon rear end will make it a tad more comfy that if it has alloy rear stays. How comfortable compared to the Dawes it's difficult to say.

On the whole I'd say(IMHO) that the Spesh would be better for faster group rides, and the Dawes - as the name suggests - slightly sedater riding (altho there's nowt to say anyone could ride the Dawes hard !).

Hope this helps - I guess others may have differing opinions. Hopefully you mite get posts from people who actually own these bikes !

 

[Crackle]

I think the Allez's a triple isn't it? I don't think it will take full mudguards though, just the SKS type.

It'll feel livelier than the Dawes. I had a good look at one but never rode it, I only rode the Pilot 1.0, which was livelier than the Dawes but despite the carbon forks not as good as nullifying the bumps. The Dawes is not dull though, just more predictable.

I didn't ride the Allez because the position was a bit more stretched than I wanted. If you're looking at the Allez Bobg, look at the Giant SCR range and the Trek Pilot, particularly the Pilot, as the compact frame might suit you. It's a good bike too.

 

[bobg]

Mmmm - quite a quandry........


not entirely sure of the specs of each but I think its 631(steel) tubing with slightly less racey geometry than the Spesh Allez elite, and so won't be as - for want of a better word - racier feel.

I think the Dawes also probably has a triple chainset whereas the Spesh probably has a compact (34/50).

The Spesh is alloy (with carbon rear ?) - again yer pays yer money and I'm sure theres endless threads with the alloy/steel debate. The fact that the Spesh has a carbon rear end will make it a tad more comfy that if it has alloy rear stays. How comfortable compared to the Dawes it's difficult to say.

On the whole I'd say(IMHO) that the Spesh would be better for faster group rides, and the Dawes - as the name suggests - slightly sedater riding (altho there's nowt to say anyone could ride the Dawes hard !).

Hope this helps - I guess others may have differing opinions. Hopefully you mite get posts from people who actually own these bikes !

Thanks for that. Spending money is bad enough but buying the "wrong " bike is a disaster!! It'd help if I posted a link or two for the spec! So
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86026&utm_source=froogle&utm_
I cant find a bad word on either except the font changer on the 08 is not a 105..

.http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p442

 

[rich p]

The Dawes has a triple and the Spesh a double which may be an issue depending on where you'll be riding it and the state of your knees. I need a triple myself. If they do the Spesh in a triple I personally would go for that as I have the Allez Sport and it's a good bike. Having said that I haven't tried the Dawes.

the Allez also has carbon forks which is a plus too.

 

[bobg]

I think the Allez's a triple isn't it? I don't think it will take full mudguards though, just the SKS type.

It'll feel livelier than the Dawes. I had a good look at one but never rode it, I only rode the Pilot 1.0, which was livelier than the Dawes but despite the carbon forks not as good as nullifying the bumps. The Dawes is not dull though, just more predictable.

I didn't ride the Allez because the position was a bit more stretched than I wanted. If you're looking at the Allez Bobg, look at the Giant SCR range and the Trek Pilot, particularly the Pilot, as the compact frame might suit you. It's a good bike too.

Thats my main reservation so far, although its difficult to tell without a proper ride. They said I'd need a shorter stem but it seems theres only scope for about an inch or it'll be too twitchy at speed. Just wish I could try the Dawes! I have a gut feeling that it might be more my kinda bike. Maybe I'll have to get over to Spa before the sell all the 54's. I'll have a quick Google for the Pilot, thats a new one on me. ta

 

[bobg]

The Pilot ticks all the boxes twice over, except the price . In my wettest of dreams I can't hear Mrs BG saying " yeah go in get a 7th bike, 2k ... no probs. Even with a massive terminal bonus on the endowment

 

[Crackle]

There's different versions, starting at 1, I think you've looked at the top one Bobg

 

[bobg]

There's different versions, starting at 1, I think you've looked at the top one Bobg

Oops ... back we go

 

[llllllll]

So what model was the Dolan?

I know it's a bit shallow, but all else being equal I'd get the Dolan, just for the name.

 

[bobg]

So what model was the Dolan?

I know it's a bit shallow, but all else being equal I'd get the Dolan, just for the name.

Afraid I'm not sure !! I got the impression he was pushing the Spech with hindsite. I do recall that they were all about the same price .. £799 I'm off for my daily circuit soon so I'll pop in and see + check out the Trek 2.1 if they do them . I did notice that the local club, Liverpool Mercury is sponsored by Dolan, and it's their club run that I'm going to try to keep up with on Sunday (he said with some trepidation )

 

[monnet]

I've got the Allex Elite 07 triple and it's a brilliant bike (although the 07 is a slightly higher spec than the 08, as reflected in the price). I don't find it stretched at all, in fact initially I found it a bit too upright compared to previous bikes. I've found it super comfy, doing plenty of 100 mile plus rides with no problem. Obviously if you want guards etc. then the spesh can only take race blades.

I don't know much about Dawes except they have a top notch reputation. Talking of stretch though, I've always found Dolan geometry a bit long in the top tube and therefore not ideal for me.

 

[bobg]

I've got the Allex Elite 07 triple and it's a brilliant bike (although the 07 is a slightly higher spec than the 08, as reflected in the price). I don't find it stretched at all, in fact initially I found it a bit too upright compared to previous bikes. I've found it super comfy, doing plenty of 100 mile plus rides with no problem. Obviously if you want guards etc. then the spesh can only take race blades.

I don't know much about Dawes except they have a top notch reputation. Talking of stretch though, I've always found Dolan geometry a bit long in the top tube and therefore not ideal for me.

Thanks Monnet, That's interesting about the Dolan. I was moaning about the Spech being a bit of a stretch for me (short arms short legs mutant etc) which might be why he didn't show me the Dolan. Funny how the 07 has a better spec than the 08 though??

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Another vote for the Allez, I had an 06 bog standard allez sport, which I upgraded to death before selling on to a very lucky bloke, the frame set is or at least was the lightest at that price point. You wouldn't be disappointed with one.