Road Cycling - Old Specialized Allez? Help

I'm new to biking. I've got an old Schwinn, but many members have said to toss it and by a better bike. I've ended up bidding on a Specialized Allez older bike, on ebay, and now have the byers remorse.

Can anybody help me with what they think about this bike. The seller has almost no idea about technicalities.

It's a 1988 Allez, aluminum frame with shifters incorporated with the break levers, for 21 gears. That's all I know at the moment, waiting to find out shipping info. (Bid 150 and now I think really too much... but then brake integrated shifters sell for like $50, rims and all... What do you think) Check the pictures. I'll appreciate any further info if anybody recognizes the bike to let me know gear info, and such. How much would you've paid for it? Thank you very much.

$150 seems fair for this sport-touring bike (thats what it looks like to me). The shifters look like an upgrade, STI was not available in 88'.

As long as its not beat to crap, you did fine. Let's just hope it fits.

I'm new to biking. I've got an old Schwinn, but many members have said to toss it and by a better bike. I've ended up bidding on a Specialized Allez older bike, on ebay, and now have the byers remorse.

Can anybody help me with what they think about this bike. The seller has almost no idea about technicalities.

It's a 1988 Allez, aluminum frame with shifters incorporated with the break levers, for 21 gears. That's all I know at the moment, waiting to find out shipping info. (Bid 150 and now I think really too much... but then brake integrated shifters sell for like $50, rims and all... What do you think) Check the pictures. I'll appreciate any further info if anybody recognizes the bike to let me know gear info, and such. How much would you've paid for it? Thank you very much.

I worked for Specialized in 1988. I don't believe we were making aluminum road bikes at that time. I think this bike is a newer model than '88 just looking at the graphics. Also STI was later than "88. This frame appears to be steel, albeit in good shape. One thing you can't tell from looking at the picture is what shape the wheels are (trueness). Other than that, $150 sounds OK.

$150 seems fair for this sport-touring bike (thats what it looks like to me). The shifters look like an upgrade, STI was not available in 88'.

As long as its not beat to crap, you did fine. Let's just hope it fits.

Thank you so much for the good word. With shipping it's gonna go to like 230. So, it kind of makes me think. The auction said aluminum, so I'm inquiring about that. It's got Mavic CXP-10 rims - what do you think of them? The frame on pictures looks in really good shape (that is if we find it's aluminum, hope the year was wrong and not the frame material). Fit should be ok (frame is 23" they say, I'm assuming 58cm), at least according to my inseem.

Can anybody pinpoint pics or info on the net of the specialized bikes, so may be I can match and get the technical details on it, even though it seems to be upgraded.

Thank you so much for the good word. With shipping it's gonna go to like 230. So, it kind of makes me think. The auction said aluminum, so I'm inquiring about that. It's got Mavic CXP-10 rims - what do you think of them? The frame on pictures looks in really good shape (that is if we find it's aluminum, hope the year was wrong and not the frame material). Fit should be ok (frame is 23" they say, I'm assuming 58cm), at least according to my inseem.

Can anybody pinpoint pics or info on the net of the specialized bikes, so may be I can match and get the technical details on it, even though it seems to be upgraded.

Checked my Specialized catalogues through 1992, no aluminum road bikes. Tubes in picture definitely look too small for aluminum frame. I think it's TIG weld steel, about 1998, possibly w/aluminum fork. Mavic CXP-10 rims are very solid, strong but will have stiff riding qualities (you'll feel the small bumps and irregularities in the road). If I can give you more detailed info, I'll send another post.

Checked my Specialized catalogues through 1992, no aluminum road bikes. Tubes in picture definitely look too small for aluminum frame. I think it's TIG weld steel, about 1998, possibly w/aluminum fork. Mavic CXP-10 rims are very solid, strong but will have stiff riding qualities (you'll feel the small bumps and irregularities in the road). If I can give you more detailed info, I'll send another post.
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:PUomq_lWpAMJ:www.hbc.stevens.com/forsalemain.html+specialized+allez+1998&hl=en

Above link has bike identical to one your looking at. No year mentioned, but frame is described as steel.
Call number, you can get some more details.

i've got all the specialized catalogs from 1989 on, but don't have this particular year right at hand. but this particular model is either a 1995 or 1996.

I'm new to biking. I've got an old Schwinn, but many members have said to toss it and by a better bike. I've ended up bidding on a Specialized Allez older bike, on ebay, and now have the byers remorse.

Can anybody help me with what they think about this bike. The seller has almost no idea about technicalities.

It's a 1988 Allez, aluminum frame with shifters incorporated with the break levers, for 21 gears. That's all I know at the moment, waiting to find out shipping info. (Bid 150 and now I think really too much... but then brake integrated shifters sell for like $50, rims and all... What do you think) Check the pictures. I'll appreciate any further info if anybody recognizes the bike to let me know gear info, and such. How much would you've paid for it? Thank you very much.

So, did ya buy it, or what? :)

actually pulled off on that one... now looking at a 87 Trek 560... and the Schwinn I did tare it to pieces, sanded the frame and repainted, cleaned all, nice bike, but need a couple more inches on it, as even with sit completely up maxed out still do not feel comfortable... So the Trek looks, nice, but figured I'd ask advice first again... The Allez would have not fit now that I know that from the Schwinn experience. The Trek should be fine.

Let me know what you think...