WhaleOil

I've been putting a few bucks away every pay period.

When I get to the 'seemingly unobtainable' 200# I'd like to treat myself.

The Specialized is certainly more affordable, and we'll have to see what the new models bring. I recall when I bought my 7.5FX I was 'certain' I wanted a road bike. The LBS put and Allez on a trainer and I hated it. Then the FX and my cadence picked right up and it was just a more comfortable position for me. I'm thinking it was my gut but plenty of Clydes ride road bikes.

Now down to money. I can afford a Specialized Elite Compact Allez but not much more.

I don't know what the Trek equivalent is but I'll just have to ride them. That's the bottom line isn't it?

Any words about the Allez and comporable models?

UniversalFrost

Well, I have an 07 Allez Elite Triple that I got a month ago from my LBS and I love it, plus I saved big $$$ compared to it's original price tag. A comparable bike would be a CAAD8 or 9. Try out a bunch of bikes before you buy and make sure the LBS gets your correct measurements and adjusts each bike accordingly so that you have a good fit to the bikes. Make sure to check the craigslist and your paper before buying and if you buy from your LBS see if they have any 07 or 06 models left for a hefty discount.

My Allez is perfect for those that have a long trunk and shorter legs, while the CAAD's seemed to have too short of a top tube and the same for the fuji robaiux and the others I tried out.

JOE

WhaleOil

Thanks Joe, also a VFW life member. 9288961

My LBS is very good to me. I haven't bought thousands of dollars per bike but I keep my lbs supported. I will and they will be happy to let me try whatever I'd like.

Thanks man!

Mr. Beanz

Trek Pilots have a sloping tube like Specialized. So does the Lemond but you'll have to hurry if you want one!.The Pilot is a slight more upright model, tall headtube. My wife has the womens model and loves it. Some say cause it's not exactly a race model it's a tad slower. I'd bet money that it isn't. She flies on the thing! Had me worried a few times that she'd drop me.

Mr. Beanz

Also check out Motobecane. I saw some in a shop, wow, nice! But they had big huge weld beads. Looked durable. Not sure what the geo is but they were far less than Tek and Specialized when I looked.

WhaleOil

Beanz, I know a few guys at the LBS ride Specialized. I don't particularly like the large tubes. I 'think' they look heavy and really not 'sexy' at all. Not that sexy adds or detracts from or to the ride but you know what I mean, You have to like the looks of it. I just don't like those fat tubes.

WhaleOil

Beanz, I know you're a climber. My need to improve. What would you recommend as an entry level road bike and a climber?

UniversalFrost

My Allez has a larger tube (the A1 frame), but is not heavy in the least compared to many of the other road bikes out there and actually lighter than a lot of the other aluminum bikes. The front carbon fork and carbon seat post and stays help to lighten the load. Also, if you decide on the Allez get the LBS to measure your rear end (i.e. your butt) and make sure that your seat is right for your rear end. The alias saddle is great,but make sure you have the right size saddle and if it is not bid or small enough get your LBS to get the right size for your rear end.

Mr. Beanz

Climber? Hehehehe, I try!..........My opinion is something very stiff like a Cannondale. I have one but a Caad3, overbuilt according to many. But it is superstiff. Not sure it he modern Canni's are as stiff but IMO, I'd go for a Canni.

I had a Lemond Tourmalet ($1000) model, 6066 tubing, smaller diameter than the Canni. It flexed too much. I never stood to climb knowing this. Never sprinted hard while standing but it still snapped. I honestly think it just flexed too much.

The replacement frame is aluminum and carbon. Still small diameter tubing and still on the flexy side. Bike is comfy and smooth but still scares me to stand up and crank, it's the $2k model. Doesn't flex as much but still some. So IMO, for the moeny, I'd go with a Cannondale or similar. Never ridden a Specialized roadie so not sure how they handle a load under our weight.

If you had the money, which I know I don't, I'd go with a Kuota (Mark Adam has one). I've ridden with him up some mtn climbs. When he stands to sprint up a climb, watch out! He really moves and the bike sounds solid! But I think his bike is in the 3k range.

I picked up my Canni on sale, full Ultegra for 1K. Upgraded as parts wore. Now DA equipped. Not as smooth at the Kuota I'm sure, but still climbs well and very stiff. Which stiff has never really been a problem for me at my weight.

If you save enough pennies, go with Kuota. If you're a poor guy like me, try a Cannondale. If comfort oriented and on a budget, try a Lemond, just don't stand

My wifes Pilot is carbon. Has a huge BB area so I think it would be fine under a load. The Roubaix look nice too. Different look from the S-Works. I don't really care for the S-Works look myself but have seen some real pretty Roubaixs.

WhaleOil

Thanks UFrost. That big tube to me looks like weight although it isn't. Rest assured if I'm gonna spend 1K, and that's a lot of $$$ for me it'll be right.

I've got a B17 Brooks on my FX, I think the break in period is greatly overdone. I also have a Brooks B67 on my 4300. The one with springs. Awesome. The 4300 is my grocery getter and around town bike, also, the one I've put the most miles on just 'dickin' around'.

WhaleOil

I'd like to stick with Trek or Specialized, Why? Because that's what my LBS carries and they've ALWAYS been good to me. Really good as far as prices go.

In addition, when I started going to the LBS they didn't treat me as a lard ass that was going to buy a comfort bike and they'd never see me again. They treated me like a human. Astounding. They've also invited me to their spinning classes on Friday nights and given me alternate routes for training for the Prouty (they're digging up the road and repaving). My LBS is great!

fordfasterr

How dare you compare a race bike to an entry level 9spd with sora components?

UniversalFrost

well, I compared the caad 8 and 9 to the allez elite because that is what they had used that was in the same price range (under 1500) as my allez elite. I went with the allez elite triple because while it only had 105 rear and tiagras all around (now has 105's all around). I like the way it fit me better and anyone can upgrade components. Also, all the caad owners say that their frames are the best aluminum frames out there, but I have to disagree. the E5 and A1 frames from specialized are rather robust for those of us that are larger and they combine the carbon seat stays, seatpost and front fork then throw in the geel zertz's to help with the ride quality.

Personally, I am 6'1" 225 and raelly like to climb and the allez frame feels more solid compared to the Caad frame. I actaully thought that the caad8 i tried had a "bouncy" frame and was only rigid when no weight was applied to it. so, go try out the bikes and if you think that the caad won't handle your weight then try a giant, fuji, felt or of course the Allez.

Pinyon

Fit is the most important thing. Price should only determine which model of components you end up with. Not what brand or type of bike frame. Get what fits and feels good first. Test ride lots.

I personally liked the Trek Pilot, Giant OCR1 and OCR2, and if money was no option, than I would have gone for a full carbon Lemond or Orbea. All of those fit me well. There were plenty of "decent" bikes that did not fit me or how I ride well. That includes the Giant TCR series, Felt (in general), and I did not like the way that Schwinns fit me at all. But then...I ended up liking the Allez Elite Compact the best. It just fit me better, and I prefer that "stretched out" position (old-school thing, not "race" thing).

Be picky about fit. As long as you stay away from X-mart bikes, the bike should last you a great long while.

Mr. Beanz

Don't forget that Lemond is Trek. But as far as a climbing bike for a big guy, I'd say it's abit too flexy in the price range mentioned. I've seen full carbon Zurichs for $2100 and a Buenos Aires for $1300 though!

jaxgtr

My CAAD9 is so much more stiff in the BB than my Allez Comp was, but the Allez was a very nice bike. The CAAD9 works much better for me though.

I would agree with this a lot. I always felt cramped on my Allez.

Tom Stormcrowe

I lean toward the Allez (for obvious reasons). It's scary fast, too and VERY snappy handling.

WhaleOil

I'm gonna start dropping $500 every 2 wks at the LBS. They won't think that's odd for me. Then when the time comes I'll ride a few and decide what I like.

WhaleOil

I didn't get the obvious reasons Tom, is that the crash bike?

Tom Stormcrowe

I own an Allez, and yeah, I crashed it Fortunately, the damage is VERY minor. I scuffed the right brifter.

WhaleOil

So, before you crashed it, did you like it? As a road (weight loss bike) ?

Bigboxeraf

I loved my Lemond Versailles that I had for 5 days. That being said If it wasn't for the great price I got on the lemond I would have gone with the allez. Now I ride the couch
but i think my next bike is going to be the Kestrel RT700 or the evolve:

WhaleOil

What the hell is a brifter?

Tom Stormcrowe

I love the bike. It's like poetry in motion.

Edit:A Brifter is a Brake Lever/Shifter as an integrated unit.

WhaleOil

gotcha, first time I tried it at the LBS I said What the hell it that?