jrhii

I was surfing craigslist this evening when I came upon a Specialized Allez Pro, 93' or 94'. The guy want's $375 and I'm thinking about talking to him about it if it fits and is in good condition. I wasn't really planning on buying anything, just surfing CL for kicks.

Still, I have been considering a more permanent frame than my 87' Bianchi Strada. My original plan was to use expendable income I receive in December from reffing soccer to buy a Soma ES frame and fork, plus the extra parts I couldn't salvage from my bianchi (headset and new handlebars...since the ES is made for 57mm brakes, I am 90% certain I could use my 27" wheels), which would stay on it until next year or maybe summer, when would have more money to update the rest of the components.

Assuming it isn't heavy (which for me means sub 25lbs, though I wouldn't argue if it were closer the the 20lbs side of things) and is in good shape, I think it would be a better buy for me. The main advantage of the Soma would be brand new untouched frame, but with steel, it shouldn't be too much of an issue I would think. The Specialized is a complete bike, lugged frame (admittedly just aesthetics), cheaper (soma fork, frame and misc would be around $550 with taxes I think, then other things later).

It has early sti brifters on it, which I would try out, but I'm fairly certain it has downtube bosses that have cable guides mounted on them, so I could use bar ends or plain old downtubes. I figure that if it is in good shape and fits (48cm, but at just a tad over 5'5" it has potential to fit well) I will seriously consider getting it.

The question is this: what would you do? new frame, or this bike? I'm still waiting to see if anyone has imput on the price over in appraisals, but I am thinking it is reasonable if everything checks out.

randyjawa 

I have owned one Specialized Pro of similar vintage and perhaps two. The first Specialized Pro I turned into a Junk Bike...


and the second my Specialized Junker II. Yup, both had suffered crash damage and were not worth investing great time, effort or money in.


However...

These suckers ride absolutely great! Though I have lots on really decent vintage road bicycles, none have the ride quality of my Junker II.

RobbieTunes

In my opinion, the Specialized is the ticket.
1-The Soma isn't that much better, if it even is. It's just new.
2-A complete STI bike for $375 is pretty good, excellent, even.
3-Early STI's are excellent, and you could easily sell them if you wished.

However,
48cm for a 5'5" individual, you'd better check that out.

jrhii

I am going to call him about it now...I figiure it has a chance, as my 52cm bianchi rides up into the crotch just a tad too much when standing over it, and the top tube ends up being slightly long. it is just small enough not to cause any kind of discomfort.

jet sanchEz

The Allez without a doubt. I picked one up years ago and it suited me very well and garnered many compliments, you will love it.

My old Allez Pro

JunkYardBike

I'd choose the Soma, but only because I like fat tires. If that doesn't matter to you, the Allez is the better deal if it fits.

Preynmantis

What level brifters? Should be Ultegra.

If complete, good condition and it fits, no contest in my book. Specialized. Especially when you consider that most CL prices are not firm, even less so this time of year on bikes.

Puget Pounder

The use should indicate which bike. I guess price too.

The Soma can take fatter tires. 28cs with fenders I believe. I don't know about fenders with the 27" like you propose. A much more versatile bike IMO.

The allez is a bit more of an aggressive bike. I think these bikes carry some great craftmanship (better than the Soma), but if it doesn't fit your needs, then "better" is not a very good word for it.

jrhii

I commute about 20 miles to school, and on sundays try to go on a longer recreational ride, over 50 miles if I have the time, if I ever get more free time more centuries.

Also, from my apraisals forum: "Available, I'm going to go look at it tomorrow, which is when she said she was available. She said it was 12 years old, but as far as I can tell it has to be older than that, because it has lugged steel and all the late 90's allez bikes were aluminium, and the late-mid 90's steel were TIG welded. She says that the decal lettering is black, but I don't know if they changed that up ever within a year (catalogs showed yelllow or red for 93 and 94)."

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/2607376850.html

The picture is too small, but it looks like the geometry is a bit different from the above (may just be the small frame so the seat stay angle is shallower) but I think it might have a rack on it, which doesn't make perfect sense. I'm hoping on good condition, like it says. It was/is her mothers, who she says is 78 now so just doesn't ride it. I'm am banking that if she got it 12 years ago, that still puts her at 65-66 when she got it, which might mean lower miles. Stereotyping I'm sure, but it isn't wholly improbable.

EDIT: I'll only really be able to get an idea on what this actually is when I go check it out tomorrow. At the least, it is worth and hour or two of my time.

Preynmantis

From the ad: "48 inch frame"

Man, she must be a TALL woman

icemonkey

As you put in a lot of miles, I would think the Specialized might be the way to go depending on fit. Its more aggresive and will make your commute more fun. Plus the cool factor... Good luck.

jrhii

Not a pro, a sport though I can't figure out the year. Can't find any examples of the paint scheme, and the lugs say pre-95, but the rx-100 sti says 95 or later. Fits like a charm, though I'll need a longer stem horizontally speaking, because it has a pretty short one on. Feels light, but I am not good at weight estimate. reconsidering it if $365 or so is worth it. Everything works well though.

Puget Pounder

If it is mainly a commuting machine, I would look for something with fender clearance and appropriate braze-ons. Not necessarily saying you should buy the soma, just saying that you should look around.

jrhii

this one does have eyelets, though clearance would probably be tight. It is mostly commuting because I don't have much time for anything else, but being able to put a rear rack on is a plus. As for as fenders, I see them as a luxury, as I have a different priority of things to spend $30 or $40 on right now. If I get a little dirt oh well, I'm commuting to college, not work, and I change to normal clothes once I get there.

Puget Pounder

Where do you live? a commuter without full fenders here in Seattle is useless, so I have a commuter bike that can take the clearance. Clip on EZ fenders do not even come close to full fenders. Rear racks do provide some protection for your ass and back, but not your legs. Wet socks = the worst feeling for me. Fast commuting is nice, but I doubt 1 minute or 2 difference that you can attribute to a couple pounds or relaxed geometry will make any kind of significant difference.

jrhii

St. Louis. We get rain, but not quite as much precipitation days per year (about 25 or so more days a year in seattle, 38 if we are just talking rain). I will be looking around still I think. At this point it is becoming more about getting a good permanent bike that fits me physically first, can suit my needs well enough second. Your talk is starting to convince me to wait it out though, see what else turns up. Eventually I probably will get some fenders, after lights, and anything else I might need. A 48cm to 50cm frame isn't the first thing you always see, but at least I have a working bike until then. I also think I will be holding up on the soma thoughts as I have gone back to the there is nothing wrong with an older frame mindset.

cs1

I keep telling myself that too. "I'm just looking for kicks, I'm really not serious." That landed 14 bikes in my garage. Stop now while you still have time.