Road Cycling - building a 2001 specialized allez sport

Hey guys and gals, I am new to this site. I love road bikes and bulding one is my future goal here. I'm looking on ebay for a nice frame. I found this 2001 Specialized Allez Sport. This is what he says,

Includes Ritchey headset and stem, carbon fiber fork, Kalloy seatpost, and Sella Italia seat. Aluminum frame, Festina yellow color. Frame in perfect condition, flawless.

So I was looking for some pointers on building my bike and some good places to get cheap, but quality parts.

So far, I want the STI gear shifters. They look sweet.

I was looking at tires and rims.... tubeless or tubed?!? That is the big question. I'd like to get some light wheels to for entering into future competitions. That's another thing, I want to become a member of USCF. I hear you get discounts at some bike shops.

Thanks!

-Dan the Man-

well, for training and general riding, clincher tires are the way to go. many people use them for racing too. i've never ridden tubulars at length, but theyre supposed to give you a more supple ride; however, this usually comes at a high price premium.

as for wheels, it sounds like mavic open pros would be perfect. theyre bulletproof for training but light enough to race.

Originally posted by ockey53
Hey guys and gals, I am new to this site. I love road bikes and bulding one is my future goal here. I'm looking on ebay for a nice frame. I found this 2001 Specialized Allez Sport. This is what he says,

Includes Ritchey headset and stem, carbon fiber fork, Kalloy seatpost, and Sella Italia seat. Aluminum frame, Festina yellow color. Frame in perfect condition, flawless.

So I was looking for some pointers on building my bike and some good places to get cheap, but quality parts.

So far, I want the STI gear shifters. They look sweet.

I was looking at tires and rims.... tubeless or tubed?!? That is the big question. I'd like to get some light wheels to for entering into future competitions. That's another thing, I want to become a member of USCF. I hear you get discounts at some bike shops.

Thanks!

-Dan the Man-

Hey guys, wanna see it? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3618437950&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6)

-Dan the Man-

Great looking frame. Too bad they dont's meake it in those colors anymore.

ps. What's up with the shot of it in the grass? It's not an MTB frame...........

Originally posted by Chuvak
Great looking frame. Too bad they dont's meake it in those colors anymore.

ps. What's up with the shot of it in the grass? It's not an MTB frame...........

True.... I don't know why they put it in the grass... Those pics were taken by the ebay seller. Eh, whatever. I love the colors!!!!!

-Dan the Man-

Here's my wish list for my bike...

STI shifters
wheels set: clinchers or tubed?? (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33007)
brakes
crankset
pedals
derailleurs (front and rear)
handlebar
"lay down arm rests" (I don't know what they're called)
computer
handlebar tape
brake cables
8-speed cogs
3 front rings
chain

I have a headset already installed with a carbon fork :D Am I forgetting anything? Are they're bearings that come with the crankset? or are those separate, or even needed??

-Dan the Man-

"lay down arm rests" = Aerobars?

What are you setting the bike up for? Any reason for the 8 on the rear instead of a 9? What group are you looking at?

Originally posted by lurker
"lay down arm rests" = Aerobars?

What are you setting the bike up for? Any reason for the 8 on the rear instead of a 9? What group are you looking at?

I guess they are called aerobars.... they are like an extra set of handle bars that stick out perpenticular to the handlebar to put your forearms and hands on.

I'm not sure why not a 9... I could. I just put down 8 for now.

What are the 3 front gears called? rings??

-Dan the Man-

Yes, I think you mean aerobars. Something like this?

I think the rings are called chainrings. Probably will be purchased with the crank as a set.

Yup, that's what I mean.

But those aerobars are an "extra." I think I should build the bike first.... lol.

-Dan the Man-

The frame should be delivered by Friday (8/1). I might not buy other components right away cause of my accounting situation with those green pieces of paper with old guys faces on them....

here's the UPDATED wish list:

STI shifters
wheels set: clinchers (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33007)
brakes
crankset
pedals/cleats/shoes: SPD pedals (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33127)
derailleurs (front and rear)
handlebar/aerobar
"lay down arm rests" (I don't know what they're called)
computer
handlebar tape
brake cables
9-speed cogs
3 front rings
chain

I paid about $300 for my frame (http://www.coe.neu.edu/~dschilli/pics/bike1.jpg) and looking to spend probably about $1000 for everything to build it up. If I'm under that, great! It seems like the more expensive components are the wheel sets and the STI shifters. I'm looking into "everything Shimano" on my RB. First, I want to get the wheel set. I've decided to go with clinchers as opposed to tubulars. As of pedals, I want to go for SPD pedals for the comfort of the shoe and the ability to use it as a normal shoe.

-Dan the Man-

I was looking on nashbar.com and was looking at the prices. I have decided to go completely Shimano Ultegra 6500 "stuff." It's within my price range and are high quality parts.

Shamino Ultegra 9 Speed STI Levers (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=104&subcategory=1194&sku=3055&brand=)
Mavic CXP22 / Shimano 2200 Road Wheelset (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=131&subcategory=1197&sku=9579&brand=) with MICHELIN AXIAL CARBON ROAD TIRE (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1085&sku=4274&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6500 Brake Calipers (http://http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1014&sku=2903&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6500 Crankset (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=81&subcategory=1034&sku=2954&brand=) with a Shimano Ultegra 6500 Bottom Bracket (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=73&subcategory=1096&sku=2886&brand=)
Haven't decided on the pedals yet, but getting Northwave Fuel Mountain Shoe (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1041&sku=9223&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6503 Front Derailleur (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=83&subcategory=1037&sku=2970&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6500 Rear Derailleur (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=83&subcategory=1039&sku=3034&brand=)
Ritchey Pro Road Handlebar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=92&subcategory=1050&sku=8763&brand=)
Nashbar Deluxe Handlebar Tape in Black/Grey/Yellow Marble (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=129&subcategory=1174&sku=2214&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 9 speed Cassette (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=87&subcategory=1109&sku=2928&brand=)
Shimano Dura Ace / XTR 9 SPD Chain (http://http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=76&subcategory=1099&sku=8098&brand=)
Louis Garneau Bikini-V Helmet (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=91&subcategory=1045&sku=9015&brand=)
Nashbar Quck Release Ti Skewers (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=135&subcategory=1175&sku=6221&brand=)

I think that's it....

-Dan the Man-

Didn't the whole Allez Sport, built up with 105 sell for something like $1100 new in 2001?

Originally posted by peloton
Didn't the whole Allez Sport, built up with 105 sell for something like $1100 new in 2001?

I added everything up and it's just about $1100. But the 6500s are better than the 105s.

-Dan the Man-

Originally posted by ockey53
I was looking on nashbar.com and was looking at the prices. I have decided to go completely Shimano Ultegra 6500 "stuff." It's within my price range and are high quality parts.

Shamino Ultegra 9 Speed STI Levers (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=104&subcategory=1194&sku=3055&brand=)
Mavic CXP22 / Shimano 2200 Road Wheelset (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=131&subcategory=1197&sku=9579&brand=) with MICHELIN AXIAL CARBON ROAD TIRE (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1085&sku=4274&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6500 Brake Calipers (http://http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1014&sku=2903&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6500 Crankset (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=81&subcategory=1034&sku=2954&brand=) with a Shimano Ultegra 6500 Bottom Bracket (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=73&subcategory=1096&sku=2886&brand=)
Haven't decided on the pedals yet, but getting Northwave Fuel Mountain Shoe (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1041&sku=9223&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6503 Front Derailleur (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=83&subcategory=1037&sku=2970&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 6500 Rear Derailleur (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=83&subcategory=1039&sku=3034&brand=)
Ritchey Pro Road Handlebar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=92&subcategory=1050&sku=8763&brand=)
Nashbar Deluxe Handlebar Tape in Black/Grey/Yellow Marble (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=129&subcategory=1174&sku=2214&brand=)
Shimano Ultegra 9 speed Cassette (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=87&subcategory=1109&sku=2928&brand=)
Shimano Dura Ace / XTR 9 SPD Chain (http://http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=76&subcategory=1099&sku=8098&brand=)
Louis Garneau Bikini-V Helmet (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=91&subcategory=1045&sku=9015&brand=)
Nashbar Quck Release Ti Skewers (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=135&subcategory=1175&sku=6221&brand=)

I think that's it....

-Dan the Man-

If I added everything up correctly, I came up with a grand total of $1186 (not counting shipping, of course). This is right around what I wanted to spend.

Not including the weight of the frame (cause I don't know the weight of the frame), everything weighs 4309grams/9.5lbs. Does anyone know the weight of the 2001 Specialized Allez Sport frame?? It's a long shot.

That seems very light, I like it :D

-Dan the Man-

This might be a dumb question.... but here it goes...

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/SH-FC6503.gif
Does this come with the left crank?

-Dan the Man-

the sport is tiagra with a 105 read derailer.

I've gathered the information on the components of my bike in a nice and easy visible excel chart. I put it on my website!

2001 Specialized Allez Sport (http://www1.coe.neu.edu/~dschilli/bike.html)

-Dan the Man-

Sizing questions....

With this (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=73&subcategory=1096&sku=2886&brand=) bottom bracket, the website tells you to use 118.5mm, but there is a 68x118.5mm and a 70x118.5mm. How is that first number measured? Which one do I use?

With this (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=81&subcategory=1034&sku=2955&brand=) crankset, which size would I use... 170/172.5/175mm? I'm 5'8". Is that the length from the screw to screw?

With this (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=87&subcategory=1109&sku=2928&brand=) rear cassette, it has alot of different sizes... I don't know which one to choose??? I'm putting it on this (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=131&subcategory=1197&sku=9579&brand=) wheelset.

With this (http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=92&subcategory=1050&sku=8763&brand=) handlebar, I might have to go to my LBS and try one out... how are they measured??

-Dan the Man-

Originally posted by ockey53
This might be a dumb question.... but here it goes...

Does this come with the left crank?

Yes.

oh good.

-Dan the Man-

What's everyone heard about Shimano's Ultegra 6500 series components?? Great, just good, terrible, life-time, good for the money... let me hear your thoughts.

-Dan the Man-

Ultegra is a great group, personaly I would go with Campy though :) I don't want to start a campy vs shimano debate. Honestly Ultegra is a VERY good group top of their racing group, will last for years.. I would go with a SRAM chain though then you get the removable link easier if you ever need to remove it and about same cost.

CHeck out excelsports, gearlink and supergo for their build kits/group prices. Or if you go campy be sure to check out repartocorse.

Good idea about the chain with a removable link. I just got one for my mountain bike! Very convident. Gonna have to look into my LBS having one....

-Dan the Man-

How about addign some FSA carbon cranks for that added touch? Only $200 more :) But they are beauties :) You should have a great bike by the time you are done. I got my shimano components mixed up Ultegra is the middle racing group, and dura-ace the top one.. either way it is a great group. If money is a factor I would go down to 105 and get a better wheelset, the wheels makes a larger difference in the ride then the few grams you will save going with Ultegra.

Yeah, the Ultegra group is lighter than the 105 group. The money is right, I did want to spend about $1000 for components.

I might be looking at the CF crankset..... my Ultegra triple is 760 grams. That's alot... I mean the wheelset is 1000 grams. So I might be looking into that....

-Dan the Man-

Don't be a weight-weenie, Dan. There are many ways to spend $200 more on a bike better than a CF crank. And nothing says "poseur" quite so much as a CF crank on a first-time road bike.

no.... I researched it a little, and the FSA CF Pro Cranset it not needed for me. It's almost $200 more and it's only like 100 grams less.

-Dan the Man-

i'm really confused. wasn't there a thread just like this, only different yesterday? i posted about the michelin carbons matching your frame, but i don't see that post anywhere. am i losing it?

edit: indeed i am. i found that post on a different thread. my bad. they really are good tires though.

I was just kidding about the CF Crank it is nice but is ALOT more money and not worth it at this point for you. A better wheelset I think would pay off though, even if you had to go down to 105. It is the one item on a road bike that makes the most difference in ride speed and quality other then the frame.

Ockey53/Dan, I noticed a couple of things here, that I thought I might mention to you, and it may just be my preference, but I thought I might pass it along to you anyway...I'm with Kev on the campy thing, I'm also not trying to start that whole debate, but what do you think about going with Centar, over ultegra??...Also on the shoes, what do you think about getting Northwave road shoes instead of MTB ones?? I love northwave shoes, don't get me wrong, have 3 pairs of them, but with that great road frame that you have, why not get one of their road models??.Dosen't have to be the genetix or evolution or that high end, but they make some decent I think lower end shoes also..

Just some thoughts..


Enjoy the new bike though, that's the main point, get it built up and ride it a lot with the rest of the season!!..

Benjamin

well, I went with MTB shoes, cause they are more comfortable to walk in and also almost look like road shoes... and, of course, they match my bike :D

-Dan the Man-

are you really going with that cheap wheelset on your sweet new bike? just to let you know, the 2200 hubs are the shimano ultra low end...below sora. I would suggest 105 hubs or better. then again, maybe I'm just a snob. I do know, however, that wheels make the hugest difference in the way a bike rides next to the frame.

It seems that couple of people have been saying how bad this wheel set is...

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/YW-7CX22B.gif

I don't know, you guys do... these are the Mavic CXP22 / Shimano 2200 Road Wheelset. I'll look around nashbar.com some more and see if I can find a better pair. Are there any other "discounted/cheap" bike websites like nashbar.com??

-Dan the Man-

I must be a little confused..... I like this set too....

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/MV-COE.gif

These are the Mavic Cosmic Elite Wheel. But when you go to choose to buy this....
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=131&subcategory=1197&brand=&sku=2099&storetype=&estoreid=
it's $180 for the front and $200 for the rear?!? So it's $380 for the set????

-Dan the Man-

I think the shimano R540 are around $290.. Other places to check.. Supergo.. Pricepoint.. Jensonusa.. cambriabike..e-bay (can get last years Mavic's cheap sometimes).. TotalCycling.. gearlink..Bicyclebuys.. umm.. A good wheelset can be expensive, but it is probably the 2nd most important thing on a bike after the frame for comfort and speed, so definately not a area you want to skimp on.

I just saw a pair of R540 wheels at Performance for $299 and it comes with a free pair of Michelin tyres.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/cboProfile.cfm?SKU=16579

Also, while not Cosmics, Supergo has a pair of Mavic Cosmos for sale at $299 also.

http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?parentid=15785&secid=7559&subid=7569&compflag=1&company=Mavic

And you can add an Ultegra cassette for $35.

Bicyclebuys has the R540 for $289.. depending where you live you might save sales tax to so there is another $20 or so to be saved. The R540 might not be the lightest wheelset out there but is known to be agood strong wheelset and very aero so that makes up for the slight increase in weight.

Dan check out the International Bike in Boston a riding buddy of mine got Kysrium SL SCCs (top of the line) for $400 when they normally go for $800...or check out having a custom built set, like Mavic Open Pros with Dura-Ace Hubs.

This is an ebay auction for Shimano R540 wheelset.... the crazy guy started the bidding at $219.00.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3620351266&category=36144

So you think I should go with the R540s?? My concern for those wheels are... are they going to support 220lbs??

-Dan the Man-

You can't go wrong with this wheelset.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=50270

Mavic Open Pro's with Ultegra hubs for $195. They may not look as cool as aero rims with 4 spokes but they'll serve you well.

I'll second the Open Pros. They'll survive anything, last forever and are smooth as silk for training rims.

I was 225lbs when I started riding again two years ago (thankfully I've dropped a bunch of that!). Busted my old cheapie rims, pulled the spokes right through the eyelets. Built a new set of Open Pros with 105 hubs. Through over 2000k of not so perfect road conditions supporting my 225lbs, I haven't even had to have them re-trued yet.

Great value for the $.

f

I really suggest the cxp22 rims, you won't get any trouble with them, because they are very durable. I would just recommend better hubs. You can have the very good formula hubs for cheaper than shimano, I think or some other companies.

On the R540's....

I'm 250 and haven't had any problems with them. Can't comment on whether they are better/worse than any other set of wheels.

A couple of things on the weight, I'd imagine your frame/fork can't weight much more than 4-5lbs or so, but you're missing a bunch of stuff on your weight sheet, things like cables, bolts, etc. With your list of components you'll probably end up around 17-19lbs.

Check out http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.php for a good weight listings page with the real weight of your components.

Also if it were me on that kind of budget I'd probably drop the Ultegra setup for 105 and apply the money difference to a nicer set of wheels (which will make a much bigger impact on the way the bike rides), you could probably save at least $100-200 with that swap. Plus I just saw a REALLY good price on a 2002 105 build kit that includes everything on your list (and a few extras you already have), including open pro rims on 105 hubs or the aforementioned Shimano wheelset (or even tubulars), all for $600. It doesn't include the pedals, shoes or helmet though.

Andrew

I started another thread (Shimano Ultegra 6500 vs. 105 group (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33583)). Comment on this over there, thanks! But don't forget about this thread.... ;)

-Dan the Man-

So did you decide on groupset? I like the what you are doing, I am doing a similar thing. My approach was to buy a relatively cheap new starter bike from ebay to see if I liked road biking before I spent the big bucks - also I like to take stuff apart and put it back together. Turns out I love road biking so here is what I did....the cheap bike is a steel frame-carbon fork with shimano 105 STI shifters and frt/rear der. The crankset was a cyclone? and wheelset was alex rims with shi sora hubs. Everything worked great for 800 miles, very impressed with shifting of 105 system so i did not touch that stuff. The wheelset started to go - broke 2 rear spokes, and hubs became rough. I went with mavic open pros/ultegra hubs which seem to be a good standand wheelset and only $200. I was going to build my own but maybe some other time. I also upgraded my crankset to Ultegra with new ultegra cassette and chain - not much price difference with versus the 105 and I thought that light spinning parts benefit you more. The next upgrade will be a frame - maybe this winter. but it sure is fun building your own! Let us know how it goes...

I have updated my "wish list" (http://www1.coe.neu.edu/~dschilli/bike.html) on my website. I did decide to go with the 105 group and get a better wheelset. I end up spending a little more, but it'll be better in the long run.

-Dan the Man-

Before you officioly place you're order be sure to search for any coupons nashbar has going on, it is not uncommon for them to have a 10-20% coupon out.