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New bike. Where do I start?

  • 05-06-2011 4:57pm
    #1
    ozzy jr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭


    It's time for an upgrade!

    I've been doing a lot of cycling recently on my old (very old) Mountain Bike (about 50 - 60km per day). It wasn't sounding the best so went over to my local bike shop's (good shops here in Dundrum/Stillorgan), to check out new models.

    I went in with the intention of researching Mountain Bikes but came away wanting a race bike instead (All my cycling is road anyway).

    The lad in the shop gave me a Specialized catalouge and price list, so I've been looking into and pricing them. I've narrowed it down to the Allez Sport 18 which is approx €950.

    I'm just wondering if it's a good value bike or is there better out there for a similar price. All the facts and figures that come with it don't really mean much to me, so any help from you guys would be appreciated.

    The last bike I bought was a Raleigh Max Mountain bike, so it shows you how out of touch I am!


Comments

  • #2
    Paul Kiernan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,216 ✭✭✭Paul Kiernan


    Can you buy using the BiketoWork scheme? If so are you restricted to purchasing from a particular shop?


  • #3
    Monty Burnz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,455 ✭✭✭✭Monty Burnz


    I'd also be interested in hearing ideas for a good new bike, for use on urban roads, but at a lower price point than the OP's 950 euros. Is there a resource out there to get recommendations on this type of thing?


  • #4
    Paul Kiernan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,216 ✭✭✭Paul Kiernan


    There are loads of threads on this forum covering exactly that topic. Probably as many as one per day!

    This bike is good value at a little over €300 with discounts. But it's still very basic and you might be better off spending a bit more or buying secondhand. Plenty of people buying nice €1000 bikes on BiketoWork scheme and then wanting to get rid of them as they're cluttering up their hallways.


  • #5
    TheBlaaMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,469 ✭✭✭TheBlaaMan


    The Allez is a great bike and will serve you well as a first bike. Specialized is one of the top manufacturers. No harm to browse the Wiki

    The Allez Sport 18 seems to use a mostly (?) Shimano Sora groupset (shifters, cassette, chain, brakes, derailleurs etc), which is an entry level set and OK, while not great.

    FYI; the 'hierarchy' of Shimano groupsets are 2300 (so-so), Sora (basic) - both of these use small thumb operated toggle shifters - then Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, DuraAce - in ascending order of smoothness, style, prestige and, of course, cost. From Tiagra up you have a second lever behind the brake lever to shift with, meaning you can do so comfortably while in the dropped bars. From 105 upwards are very smooth and probably what you'll eventually want to move on to.

    The 'spend as much as you can afford' adage probably holds true, but if in doubt you can always ask on here. As mentioned, investigate if you can avail of the B2W scheme, if not, second-hand is a good route, but supply is slow and gets snapped up, especially at this time of year.


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