Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Specialized Allez "Sport"

I'm itchy to buy a sporty little road bike for 20 mile fitness rides. I'm looking at a mid-90's Allez "Sport" for about 150. I now it's not vintage, but I can't find much info on this bike. It's white with kinda "pink" bar tape and markings. I think it might be a 96 because I read somewhere that that was the last year that Allez used steel frames. The odd thing is that it has brake lever shifters. Can tell from the photo if there 105's. They say everything is stock, but I can't see the crank. Does anybody know anything about the late 90's Allez sport. I know it's the low end of the range, but are they ****, or worth upgrading?

Bikepedia has specs on it:
http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?ItemID=54461&Type=bike

According to them it has Shimano RSX components so it was never really high end. Still, you could probably sell all of the seven speed stuff for the $150.00 that the bike cost. I don't think that is too much if the bike is in nice condition. If it is beat up I would pass.

If you do get it and decide to upgrade I would be interested in the seven speed shifters.

The 7-sp pkg limits your wheel upgrades, and mk is correct. You can sell a 7-sp group w/STI's to folks on this forum. If it was one of their last steel bikes, it could be Tange Prestige or a Reynolds. It's as good as many aluminum bikes offered then, easily upgradable. I'd have to see the frame pretty well to go any farther.

A C-note and a half is a good price.

If that showed up on my CL, and it was my size, it would be gone for $150 unless it was a total POS or the shifters didn't work. If it's in ready to ride condition, that's a really good deal. Brifter (brake/shifter) bikes start at $250 around here and those that are at that price don't last more than a day. A typical RSX bike can bring $350. I have 7 Speed RSX and they are very nice shifters. For a 20 mile ride, they would do nicely. If it's a steel frame, you can easily upgrade, but I would ride as is for a while.

If that showed up on my CL, and it was my size, it would be gone for $150 unless it was a total POS or the shifters didn't work. If it's in ready to ride condition, that's a really good deal. Brifter (brake/shifter) bikes start at $250 around here and those that are at that price don't last more than a day. A typical RSX bike can bring $350. I have 7 Speed RSX and they are very nice shifters. For a 20 mile ride, they would do nicely. If it's a steel frame, you can easily upgrade, but I would ride as is for a while.

I'll give that a huge +1.

Also, about the comment on wheel upgrades... I think (and I'm sure someone will be along to correct me soon) that a rear triangle for a 7spd bike would be spaced at 126mm. modern 8-10 speeds are 130mm spacing. With chromo, you can spread the rear triangle the extra 4mm without any problem. I think people call it "cold setting."

FWIW, I have a '93 Allez and it's a very nicely built, light frame. Mine was in excellent condition except a ding (not accident damage) on the top tube and the shifters needed flushing. The PO had kept it in beautiful condition and added the brifters later since the '93 came from the factory with down tube shifters. Right now, around here, for that bike it's not a bad price. If everything works, there's no need to 'upgrade' but for the record 126mm to 130mm is not difficult if you're careful.

The RSX stuff is as good as the 105 stuff, just not as nicely finished. I like it's industrial look.

The RSX stuff is as good as the 105 stuff, just not as nicely finished. I like it's industrial look.
I concur with afilado. If you've got the wheels you want, 7-sp RSX is good stuff. The STI's will polish up, as well as the other pieces.

8-sp RSX, the newer stuff, is satin-finished and won't. Earlier 7-sp RSX polishes up just fine.

Cromoly frame brifter bike for $150? Unless it has some major flaws, thats a really nice deal. +1 $300+ bike.