BEGGING FOR HELP!!!

THEWHELO

Ok I have searched and searched these forums for answers and they have been really helpful but I'm finding that the more that I read the more confused I get.

Like many others out there I have decided to get a road bike to i) get fit and ii) because I just can't afford to be paying for petrol anymore.

I'm lookijng to spend about 700 Euro but I could push it to 750/800 if it was REALLY worth it. I'm 6' 3" so I imagine that any bike I go for should be around the 56"/58" frame size. But what to buy???

I've been to so many shops around Dublin and my head is spinning with the various choices. I want something that's going to help me get into work and about town but also something that I can go for a 30km cycle on the weekends etc.

I saw the Specialized Allez in cycleways and loved it but I wanted to go home and come on here and do a little research. But when I went back to the shop they'd none left! AND they were selling it for 639 which would have been great...I'm an idiot I know.

But I've been all around and no one else is selling this bike!!! I can't even find it online. Have specialized stopped supplying until August?

I'm not really on for waiting, seeing as the sun's shining (sometimes) I wand to get out on the road. So what would you suggest? And where to get it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thebouldwhacker

Thewhelo, please stop begging, it is unbecoming and compleatly un-euro cool...

You are hitting a bad time in some ways as many shops will be sold out @ this stage however if you find a bike you want you may be able to haggle a price before the end of the season, I know we're only in June but there you go.

I'm 6'3" I have a 58cm but will be going for a 60+ next time, it fits fine but I reckon its a wee bit tight.

I have returned to road bikes after a few years away, I bought a trek 1,2. I have no complaints (except with the assembly but thats not for here) infact every time I ride it I feel better about it.

There are far more experenced boardies here to talk you down but let me reassure you when you decide on price and type (mainly dictated by price) your final decision will be guided by personal choice, ie you have fallen in love with the specilized, how ever it doesnt look good for that relationship, If you just gotta get one today so be it, go with price and availability however I looked, posted, checked, argued, debated, posted, re-argued, posted some more... before I bought. It dragged out the process but I know that when all factors were put together its the right bike for me, though I wanted one of these, maybe next year:rolleyes:

You could go second hand too, either way buying it is half the fun, as is the research... enjoy

Lumen

If you intend to use this bike for commuting every day in all weathers, I would seriously consider something with clearance for full mudguards.

Even if you have a change of clothes, climbing into wet shorts at the end of the day is not nice.

Clip-on mudguards are almost as good, but I don't know how practical they are for leaving on the bike permanently.

This narrows the choice to drop bar hybrid, audax road bike or cyclocross bike.

FWIW I'm considering getting a posh audax bike for use as a commuter and winter trainer. I'm currently commuting on either my road bike or singlespeed cross bike.

Ryaner

Lumen wrote: »

If you intend to use this bike for commuting every day in all weathers, I would seriously consider something with clearance for full mudguards.

Even if you have a change of clothes, climbing into wet shorts at the end of the day is not nice.

Clip-on mudguards are almost as good, but I don't know how practical they are for leaving on the bike permanently.

This narrows the choice to drop bar hybrid, audax road bike or cyclocross bike.

FWIW I'm considering getting a posh audax bike for use as a commuter and winter trainer.

Some road bikes can fit full mud guards. My Giant SCR1 has them and a pannier rack as I use it for commuting. The new Defy range seems to have the same mounting holes too.

petethedrummer

According to these folks you can put a rack on an allez, but i'd check to see if they eyelets are there in person, just to be sure.

stopped_clock

I'm 6'2" and have a 58cm Allez.

I'd say there isn't that much of a difference between the equivalent Spec, Trek, Giant, etc, but you might get a better deal on one depending on stock levels in the shop etc. In fact, are all the frames made by Giant anyway?

Remember to leave budget for things like locks and gear. You'll want to think about pedals and shoes as you get into it too.

thebouldwhacker

Lumam et al created the 'decision tree'

not sure if its copy righted but use this knowledge wisely....

stopped_clock

"et al" makes it sound much more scientific!:)

Aquos76

I am also 6'3 and due to the slopping top tube on the spec allez I ride a 58, however on something like a trek or Giant, I would be more inclined to go to the 60. If you are having problems sourcing an Allez, give me a shout, as my mate sells them down here in Waterford and he still seems to be shifting them on a weekly basis. The Allez is actually his best selling bike on the cycle to works scheme.

I actually loved my allez so much that I upgraded the groupset to Ultegra SL shortly after I got it. However, its now just stored away as I have since purchased a Dolan Hercules. I do intend to get back on the Allez once the winter comes around though.

I dont think you could go to far wrong with the Allez especially for the money.

KStaford

only thing I don't like about Specialized bikes is the irregular shape / size of the bars in the frame. Try mounting 2 bottles, a pump, a frame bag or what have you. I know it can be done but nothing is really standard,

THEWHELO

Thanks for the info. You know how it is whacker you decide that you want a bike and waiting until August to get on one just seems like too long a wait! Not knowing much about the bike scene I was surprised that the stock levels in most shops are low. I would have thought that they would have wanted to get as many bikes in for the "summer rush".

Whacker I have seen it on a website that you linked (Pearson Cycles) and with delivery to Ireland it's 688 Euros which seems reasonable enough. But then I'm always indecisive about these things when buying from the net - "Will it be the right size for me? Will I be able to put it together? " etc. etc.

I'll make a decision and let you know but thanks so much again for the advice gents.

p.s I think I might go for the 61cm frame as I'm 6' 3" what do you reckon?

daymobrew

THEWHELO wrote: »

But I've been all around and no one else is selling this bike!!! I can't even find it online. Have specialized stopped supplying until August?

It seems that shops are waiting for the 2010 models to appear and that could be August (though I've been told July but I am doubting that).

petethedrummer

THEWHELO wrote: »

Thanks for the info. You know how it is whacker you decide that you want a bike and waiting until August to get on one just seems like too long a wait! Not knowing much about the bike scene I was surprised that the stock levels in most shops are low. I would have thought that they would have wanted to get as many bikes in for the "summer rush".

Apparently the cycle to work schemes in the UK and Ireland have created unprecedented demand for bikes around this price. The distributors are running out of stock, not only the shops.

Aquos76

THEWHELO wrote: »

p.s I think I might go for the 61cm frame as I'm 6' 3" what do you reckon?

If thats a 61 on the Allez, I would say that the 58 would be big enough for you, remember specialized have a sloping top tube and they measure slightly different compared to trek and giant.

daymobrew

I was in Stagg Cycles in Lucan on Saturday afternoon. They said that some Allez are due in next week so it might be worth giving them a call.