Thinking of taking the plunge!

[Misura]

Ive been back into cycling now for a while, picked up a good old Carrera Subway 2011 few weeks back, and have done alot of work to it, i love the bike to bits! here comes the BUT!

But no matter how much i love my bike, theres something that attracts me to Road bikes, like ive had my eye on a Specialized Allez 2011 now for a week or so, and tempted to pick it up, but since ive never really had my own road bike, theres not much to compare it to.

Yes i do 99% road miles, and it pains me when i see a bloke whos unfit just sailing past me on his cheapo roadie!
so i was wondering what peoples opinions were of the Allez range, was thinking of a 16 speed rather than a Triple ring.

found a really good site that does the allez for 455 rather than the rrp of 525!

So whats the cons to a road bike? is it really all plain sailing past the MTB/Hybrids (yes im fit too )

 

[BrumJim]

I've got an Allez. Good bike - no complaints. Ridden up a 25% slope on a compact, so triple ring not necessary.

The only con is that you are higher up the food chain, so anything that passes you that isn't a road bike is embarassing.

If you do 99% roads, then go for a road bike.

 

[tiswas-steve]

I've got a 2010 Allez Sports and I still luv it to bits, IMHO it's the best " first " road bike you can buy.
Cheap, reliable and looks sexy what more could you want ? ( I'm talking about the bike here not me )

 

[Fab Foodie]

Road-bikes are designed solely for moving over roads quickly and efficiently and they do that job very well, so buy one and enjoy the benifit!

 

[Hip Priest]

Take the plunge man. I did, never looked back (except at all the other cyclists in my wake).

 

[PaulSecteur]

If you have a specialized concept store near you, they will price match provided that the bike you want is in stock at the store they are matching.

 

[gavroche]

Go for it. I have an Allez. Great bike and it leaves all the mtb's and most other bikes well behind. My has triple rings and they come in handy sometimes.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Have a test ride on one before parting with your money. I bought one new on the CTW scheme unseen. Lovely bike to look at, but the bars are too low for me nowadays. I rode it very little and sold it on at the end of the lease period.

Mechanically, the wheels aren't up to much and needed retensioning properly by hand before they'd behave themselves.

It'll also need meticulous attention to cleaning and looking after if you ride it through the winter.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

One other thought.

If the Subway has it's original tyres on it, then a pair of decent lightweight narrow slicks will make a huge difference to how it rides.

Panaracer Paselas or Continental Sport Contacts are quick and have good puncture resistance.

 

[Misura]

I did it, ordered my 2012 Specialized Allez today, pick it up from the store tomorrow, oh i cant wait!

 

[ianbrown82]

Just got myself one of those last week. Great bike, it's my second road bike, my first "proper" make though, must admit it's a fantastic bike. I too was going to get the 2011 model but decided on the 2012 in the end. For roughly the same price anyway.

 

[Nearly there]

Im still on a MTB with slicks but have the road bike bug plus theres some great deals out there atm but still cant decide if i should buy now or wait until spring ish next year. Im looking at Giant Specialized cannondale or scott bikes budget will be £500-£700 max or is there something else out there i should consider?