jhr917

Hi,

I am trying to get into biking and currently in the market for a bike. I tried a few bikes at the bike shops and I found that i really like the 2016 specialized Allez elite DSW. I was sized with a bike frame of 52.

However, after reading this forum, it looks like i may be able to build a better bike on bikes direct. I am pretty good with builds, so I am not too worried about actually building a bike (from what i hear it comes 90% built). Also, I have friends that are into cycling that can assist me with it if I run into trouble.

Is there any bikes on bikes direct that is similar to the Specialized bike with perhaps upgraded components? Also, would buying a full Carbon frame worth it in the long run vs aluminum? I want to buy a bike that doesn't break the bank, but is good enough that if i really take a liking to biking, i do not have to upgrade in the future.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

Maelochs

What's your budget?

BD is great for (IMO) lower-end bikes and also inexpensive (relatively) Ti. Not so sure about their mid-range offerings.

I simply don't know how good the frames are on their offerings above about $1200-$1500 ... could be great, could be mediocre.

To me, saving a couple hundred on a $1000 bike or a $1200 bike is great---basically all the "entry-level" stuff is close enough in quality that I wouldn't worry.

if I am going to be spending $2200 or something, saving a few hundred bucks means less, and I would want to be sure i was getting every penny's worth. Hopefully someone who knows more about BD's mid-range stuff can chime in.

For everything up to about $1000 i'd say BD is about as good as the competition ... frames might be last year's design, but either way the bikes just aren't that advanced. Above $2000, I'd probably be willing to pay more for the best engineering.

So ... which Allez were you considering?

fietsbob

1) pick a favorite Bike shop, 2 ) get a Bike there.. Then You can test ride it, get the right size, Etc.

MagicHour

Have a look at Nashbar Carbon CR5(ultegra) and 105 models too, good value, if you don't mind stealth black no branding look. I built up one their frames that I'm very happy with. They usually have weekly 20-25% coupons too, which makes those a really good deal.
Specialized and BD are fine choices too.

jhr917

I was looking at perhaps this bike:

Save up to 60% off new Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir

or if I go carbon:
Save Up To 60% Off Shimano 22 Speed Aero Carbon Road Bikes- Motobecane Le Champion CF Comp

My budget is ~800 to 1000, however, i am willing to go up to 1200 if the bike is that much better. I was debating getting a carbon bike however i am unsure if it is worth the extra price.

This is the specialized bike that i tired out and enjoyed:

https://wheelworld.com/product/specia...FYpufgod9nAKqQ

San Pedro

I have a 2015 Allez Elite (also a 52), and I really like mine, so I would say that's a fine choice, especially with the new Tiagra on it, and you won't be able to get a DSW frame version of that bike in 2017. Of course, you could get higher speced bike online or from Performance. If you like the shop with the Allez though, and they have good after sales support that might be better for your first bike.

Maelochs

Okay, then I would second MagicHour's suggestion of the Nashbar carbon. With Nashbar you can return the bike, no questions asked, for a refund any time ---Any time--no questions asked, for the price of shipping and restocking. So ... if you get the wrong size, send it back and get them to send the right size. And if it ever breaks ...

Nashbar has a great track record with service, they have been a round a long time, they make (or buy and sell) good stuff ... one of their 105 or Ultegra carbons is hard to beat.

Shuffleman

For your first bike, I would buy it at a lbs to ensure you get sized properly. I would also go to the low end of your budget. If you love biking you will end up with a new bike in a year or two anyway. Save your money for when you know what you really like. There is not much difference between an $800 aluminum bike and a $1200 carbon bike.

jhr917

I actually decided to purchase a fuji bike in store since they were having a 20% off sale (hope i made the right decision as i am seeing the specialized bike now on sale for 1k).

So far it rides fine, however someone mentioned to me that it may be a bit small as i got size 50. How does the geometry of size 50 compare to size 52 in the specialized bike? Should i go up to 53?




Fuji Altamira 1.3 Road Bike -- 2016 Limited Edition


https://wheelworld.com/product/specia...FYpufgod9nAKqQ

goenrdoug

In short, it's slightly larger.

There are plenty of online fit calculators where you put in your measurements and it spits out the size(s) you should shoot for. Most people can comfortably ride one or two sizes, with some adjustments to the various touch points (stem, bars, seat, etc.) Exactly what your sweet spot is can only really be determined in person.


If someone measured you up in person and said a 52 is your size, I'd think a 53 is probably more appropriate than a 50. How'd you choose the 50?

Inpd

I understand your pain, some of those name brand bikes can be expensive.

But I think the someone in your situation shouldn't be buying from BD. You already have a bike you really like so its bet to go to Performance and tell them the bike you like and ask them to find a similar one. You can then test ride it to see if the Specialized bike is worth the extra money.

Have fun!

Oops, looks like you already did that. Your a genius.

Stillmoving

My take is all the bike frames are built in a handful of Asian factories, they all use the same brand components and there is a lot of marketing by the big 3. If you know your size and can change a lightbulb, buy a bike online from Nashbar or BD. I bought the $1500 le champion pro (full ultegra and Mavic kysirium wheels) added a $30 carbon fiber seat post from Amazon and it is perfect! 17.5 lbs in 60cm frame. Watch a couple of videos on YouTube on how to adjust the derailleurs and buy a cheap bike torque wrench set and your ready to go. You should look at this one from BD Save Up To 60% Off Ultegra 11 Speed Road Bikes- Motobecane Le Champion CF Aero Carbon Road Bikes. Same price but with Ultegra. You can upgrade the wheels later if you like. If I was employed in the industry, I'd tell you to buy from your LBS.

SirHustlerEsq

Buy the Allez and make sure to get it in the right size. It's worth the money, BTDT on the cheap generic branded stuff. Get the frame pros ride, they ride it for a reason.

Laurido92

Make sure you check the Fuji sizing guide. For some strange reason Fuji uses a different sizing guide for the different models. A 50 cm Altamira may be the equivalent of a 52-54 cm bike from a different manufacturer. I know from experience. I was looking at several models from Fuji and they all had different frame sizes. i.e. Altamira 50cm frames was considered a MED but a Gran Fondo MED had a 54cm frame. Hopefully the guys at Performance fitted you to the right size bike. If not, take it back and get the right size.

jhr917

i road the fuji bike this weekend and on a trainer all week, and it felt pretty good. But now i am having a bit of buyers remorse between the bike i bought and the specialized bike since they both came out to be at the same price point now at around 1k.

I like the looks of the specialized bike a lot more.. but the fuji bikes seems "more bang for your buck."

Is it smarter to keep the carbon bike with 105 components, or go with the specialized bike which is aluminum with carbon forks but with the tiagra components? Is there going to be much of a difference between the two in terms of weight and ride quality?

I road both bikes, and they both, for the most part, felt pretty similar in terms of geometry, but then again, i am new to biking so i may not know any better. if you were to chose, which one would you guys get?

Maelochs

LOL. The reason is ... they get their bikes for free.

OP at some point it comes down to which bike You like better.

If you think the Trek is better, sell the Fuji and buy the trek. Take the financial loss because two years from now you weon't think about the money but you will still love the bike ... or in two years you will still be wishing.

The only thing that really matters is your satisfaction. Is one groupset slightly better? Are other parts on the other bike slightly better? Who cares, so long as they are all good enough---and they are.

I might choose the Fuji myself ... but you Like the other one better. if you are the kind of guy who can forget the Trek and love what you got ... cool.

if not, sell the Fuji before you put any more miles on it, and buy the Trek. If you lose a couple hundred dollars and gain a couple years' satisfaction you win big.

hogger453

Take it easy in the beginning. Give a friendly greeting to a fellow cyclist, be humble and always lend a helping hand to a stranded cyclist.

Getting the best of everything and getting all dolled up doesn't make someone a cyclist.

Good luck.

Shuffleman

OP. Don't fret about buyers remorse. You bought a bike and it is a really nice bike. Go ride it and enjoy it. I am guessing that if you like the sport, in two years you will end up buying a new one anyway. The first bike is one where you learn things. The first thing that we learn is whether or not we like the sport.After that, you lean what you like and what you don't like. This way, when you buy that next bike, you know exactly what you are looking for.
Just forget about other bikes for now and enjoy riding.

apaulson714

Well theres two things at play here. Looks aside, at the same price point, carbon and 105 all the way 100%. Carbon doesnt really sway me either way, but in 105 vs Tiagra, id go with 105 every time. Not saying Tiagra is bad, but 105 is just so great at the price. I feel you made the right choice in the carbon and 105 bike.

Outside of that, looks is the other part at play. if you hate how your bike looks, you may not want to ride it was much, and it wont be as good of a value. Now if its a "I like how the fuji looks, but i like the Specialized looks better" situation, just get over it and ride. You got a great bike, at what sounds like a great price.

Buyers remorse is a funny thing. Had you gotten the Specialized i have a feeling this post would have read "Should i have gone with the carbon and 105 vs the looks?"

You have a great bike, dont worry about what-ifs and just enjoy it.

SirHustlerEsq

We're talking about a $1000 frame, free or not, pros ride the Allez because it rules all.

Maelochs

.... ********** .... you know,. most of the posters here probably watch some pro bike racing ... which means they actually see for themselves what bikes the various teams use. Why you would come here with your ... "information" .... whatever.

I hope you have exactly the life you should have.

When you get back from your next ride, sign this petition: Petition to the United Nations - DAFOH DAFOH

If you buy me an Allez, I will ride it, I will tell everyone who good it is, and I will be grateful for the free ride.

wphamilton

You don't actually look at the bike while riding it. If I felt like I got the better bike, I wouldn't worry about it.