Road Cycling - Newbie New bike Question

Hi all,

Great forum you have here. Very informative.

I'm a newbie to roadbiking. So new in fact that I haven't purchased my bike yet. I have pretty much decided on the 2004 Specialized Allez Elite because it looks like a great bike with nice componants for around a grand. Plus I really like the people at the shop.

Here's my question: Do you pro's think the carbon seatpost with elastomer insert will make up for the stiffness of an aluminum frame?

I'm currently riding a Trek 930 MTB on the road about 20 - 30 miles every other day. It has a chro-moly frame and fat connecter tires. I'm thinking I'm going to be in for a jarring ride when I switch bikes. I test drove a steel and aluminum framed bike roadbike but both seemed rough compared to my bike so it was difficult to tell on the short ride.

I'm not sure if weight makes a difference or not, but I'm kind of a big guy at 185 (down from 255 thanks to my Trek). I'm guessing if I lose more weight I may me less rattled too.

Thanks

Actually, bigger people generally find less noticable differences between a rougher riding frame and a smooth one. Being bigger kind of smooths things out some. That being said, aluminum frames(good aluminum frames) nowadays tend to ride very smooth and not beat you up at all. Test ride and only you can determine what is comfortable for you.

Road bikes will be generally stiffer, have smaller width tires, so it will feel the road more than your Trek 930 does, but that is road biking as opposed to mountain biking on the road. You also get better road feel, cornering ability, and speed. Good luck.

PS- I used to have a Trek 930, it was my first mountain bike, and that was a great bike for the money. I liked mine very much and they are very comfortable.

Ridge

I have an Allez Sport, and love it to death! The more carbon on a bike the softer the ride, carbon dampens so its softer. the Seatpost and fork that your Allez will have are great. and they should feel better over alu, or steel components. big? 185 is not big, You'll be just fine, I'm 6'2" and 190 becasue of biking (up from 170.. its all muscle!!) so you should have no problems. It will be a little startling at first, but as I've heard hear before, its like going from an SUV to an F1 car.

-Ross

Ridge,

I picked up a Specialized Allez Elite a month or so ago and LOVE it (see "Italian mama got a new baby" thread)!! It is so light and easy to ride that I feel like I am flying!

I am not a small person either 5'9" @ 175 lbs (all muscle, haha) and this bike fits me like a glove. The only time I notice a little rattling is when I am zooming down a steep hill at like 25-30 mph. But even then it's not so much rattling as it is a vibration.

Good luck in your purchase and have a blast with it! I sure am!! :)

Originally posted by Sicilian_girl
The only time I notice a little rattling is when I am zooming down a steep hill at like 25-30 mph. But even then it's not so much rattling as it is a vibration.

Try using your legs to brace the top tube. Sometimes this will help damp the vibration.

Thanks khuon! I will try that when I am out riding tonight! :))

I was lookin' at gettin' a '03 Elite before I settled on my Orbea. The Elite is a LOT of bike for the $$$!!

I am kind of on the bigger size myself (270 6'3"). I have the body of two famous people (the lower half of adonis and the upper half of buddha). I recently got into distance riding, just completed my first century after doing BRAG (bike ride across georgia). I love my Airborne Carpe Diem. No matter what you do, get the bike FITTED to you. it will save you a world of ache later. Good luck with your bike. I do daily commute and eat like a pig, so the weight stays on.

Hello all, newbie here, first post.

I'm a new cyclist of three months, last road about 15 years ago! Bought an '03 Allez Elite because of all the great reviews and I've been completely satisfied!

I was a little on the heavy side being 5'11 and 185lbs when I started riding. I've been closing in on the century mark on my rides and I must say its a very comfortable ride.

The one thing that I'd suggest is to get a proper fitting when you buy whatever bike you choose. Be sure to tell them about your riding style if you get the Elite because it can be configured as a speed demon. For me it a pretty uncomfortable when I first got it since the shop configured it really tight assuming that I was already a rider. I took it back after a couple of rides and they opened up the configuration and it was more comfortable.

The 105 components are great and I get a lot of complements on my '03. The only maintenance I had done was a dérailleur adjustment and truing of the rear wheel after the first two hundred miles. 500 miles later, it's still working like a charm.

I have an 03 Elite..I am not sure about the 04 bike because I haven't seen it, but my 03 doesn't have the elastomer into. But they may have changed that for 04.

I think with the proper fit and a good seat along with the seatpost will give you a decent ride. I have a carbon post and a seat with Ti rails, and have no problems with harshness(note that I am only 19). I think Specialzed has Cro-mo models of the Allez bikes, you might want to look into that.