Road Cycling - Advice for a bike

I am currently looking for a new bike to buy. I am a bit unsure of what i should do, build one or buy a complete bike. i have not been riding much because oregon weather is not to pleasant nor are the drivers. The 2002 Specialized Allez is pretty good i hear and so is the trek 1000 so any recomendations i am welcome to. i do know that i want eggbeaters though.:)

A few questions need to be answered first.

What is your budget?

What type of riding do you do?
(racing, commuting, bike paths...?)

Have you already narrowed your choice between those two bikes?

Building up your own bike can usually cost more since you have to buy things separately. The upside is that you can get exactly what you want on your bike.

You will probably get plenty of advice here...and maybe some of it will be useful to you.
;)

Glad you have narrowed down your choice of pedals. That's one less choice to make.

oh yeah...someone will probably recommend Fondriest to you at some point!!!!!!!!! And they will use many !!!!!!!!!!:D

I have a Fondriest. Even though i have a "Megalu" which is pretty low down in the pecking order, i love it, its such a nice ride. The new 03 models look pretty awesome to, they've changed all the names of the models(at least the majority of them) and cut out some of the models. I don't know if they sell the "Megalu" in the US because its not listed on fondriest-usa.com , but thier other models are all highly regarded.
Stew

FONDRIEST baby !!!!!!!!!YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hehe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No seriously, if someone wants a great race bike and wants to spend over $2000, I wholeheartedly recommend Fondriest, but if you re looking for an entry level bike or a cruiser, there are great (non Fondriest) options out there.

Check out the Lemond bikes.

Tourmalet, Buenos Aires, Zurich and others.

i dont really want to spend all that much, so not above 800. Usually i try to ride to work and school 2 times a week. so not a super light bike just a pretty good solid bike that will last a while.

Go for a hybrid!:D

Originally posted by gravity2002
i dont really want to spend all that much, so not above 800. Excel Sports sells a complete 105 build kit for $875. Find someone that wants to give you a nice frame and $75 and have at it. Think used or complete bike on clearance in your price range.

If your frame size measures a 54.5 top tube the I have an '01 Allez with a King headset, ultegra rear derailleur, 105 levers and calipers, and even a pair of bomb proof wheels(campy rims with ultegra hubs 36 spoke) I would probably let it all go for around $750. Granted there are a few more things to add like a front derailleur, a chain, etc... But it only has about 200 miles on it and the wheels only have about 50( custom build from the shop I work at). Just a suggestion if it fits.

Don't build or buy a bike! Get a ski mask and some kind of fully automatic gun, then kick in the door of your l.b.s. and say, "Give me a [insert expletive of your choice] bike, [insert derogotory term]!" Make sure you say it really loud, too, while brandinshing the gun haphazardly. After doing this, I doubt seriously that you'll have a problem getting whatever you may need or want. Another plus is having a shiny new getaway ride!!!

...on second thought, don't do this.

well my local bike shop has good after winter, after spring after all seasons sales so i will probably get the bike on clearance after this winter