Erin158

I saw a '06 Specialized Allez Comp Double for $999 at a local sporting goods store. MSRP is $1600, is this agood deal?

Pharmr

I think that $600 off retail is a good deal....the question to consider is fit.

MorePower4me

Yes.

I got mine for $1299 a few months ago, and I considered that a good deal.

Is it the Team Gerolsteiner colors or the regular?
(not that it makes a difference in pricing, but the team colors just kick a$$)

Erin158

Yes it is the Team Gerolsteiner colors with the badge on the downtube. I'm taking it for a spin on wednesday. Hope I like it. Not sure if I like the thought of only 20 gears. That sounds weird to say.

Snuffleupagus

It's all about ratios Old 10 speeds had similar low, high and mid ranges. There is a crap-load of overlap on triples and even doubles now that 20 gears is the standard. You should be fine, just stick a bigger cassette on the back if you've got large hills in your area.

Erin158

Thanks for the info on the gearing. We're not kansas but we don't have many big hills.

Shifty

Work on the leg strength to compensate, hummmm, strong thighs

Snuffleupagus

I think I should have mentioned above that I'd try to find a steep hill to try the bike out on. You may find you're perfectly happy with a standard double - or you may want to go to a compact double or even a triple bike. Also note what size your granny gear is on the cassette, the bike may be set up with a 23, in which case putting a 25 or 27 would make it substantially easier.

Erin158

Well I did it! I went and test rode the bike. Scheels sporting goods store is in a very large mall. I went in test road it on a friday. It was about 40 degrees, the parking lot was insane. I was dodging people left and right. I did three laps of the mall. I was able to really get going on it. And take some fast corners. Handled very well and I felt comfortable on it. We made some adjustments to the handle bars and the seat height and that was about it. I didn't get the same fitting as a top of the line shop probably would have given me. They didn't sit me on a stand and watch me ride. But, I saved so much money I probably could go and get a fitting done and still come out way ahead. I've already rode 30 miles and really enjoyed them besides the cold weather. Mental note: wear a windbreaker next time. Looking forward to doing some group rides in the warmer months on this bike. This is my first road bike and I love it so far. Hopefully after a full season of riding I still feel comfortable. Thanks for all the advice from everybody. I didn't seem to have any problems with the hills. But, we don't have any 500' climbs nearby so I don't know how a really big hill would go. But, I had no trouble racing cars from stop lights with it.

G5Ti

You'll enjoy the bike, for sure.

I have the lesser "Elite" triple, and it's been a great bike. I just ordered new Ultegra brakes today... that should solve my biggest gripe with the machine.

Pics for clicks. (in my bedroom... note the "festive" red against.. uh.. lime-ish green X-mas motif)

Erin158

Nice looking ride G5Ti. I noticed your handlebars are rotated down slightly. My bike was set up the same way originaly. But I had them rotate them up till they were level. This seemed much more comfortable to my arms and back is there are reason yours are spun down? Sorry I'm still a NOOB.

tubescreamerx

a lot of people enjoy a lower race position, hence the often comments to "flip it" meaning flip the stem to drop the bars much lower. rotating them works too.

G5Ti

I actually just flipped the stem and adjusted the bar angle; for me, the previous position was a little too upright. I need to adjust the saddle now, as it tilts down in the front just a bit for my liking.

The new bar angle works really nicely... it's far more comfy on the hoods and in the drops, and I can get a slightly more aero-friendly position even on the bar, which works quite well at this windy-ass time of year. I guess it just really boils down to the fact that it's comfy for me.

The nice part about the bar angle adjustment is how easy it is; a simple twist of a wrench and you can adjust to your heart's content.

Erin158

Thanks for the info. This is my first road bike, so I guess I'll have to start experminting. Luckily I'm mechanically inclined. I just need to start buying some metric tools.

Frunkin

hey
i work at that scheels
i was looking at that bike for a long time but i decided it was out of my price range for a first road bike (even with my discount)
so i got the standard allez
but the team gerolsteiner paintjob looks killer
enjoy the bike

Scheelsbiking

Scheels has some great deals on all of they're 2006 Specialized bikes, if your looking for specific bike let me know, I'll check to see what we have...

Erin158

Follow up info for this thread. I did end up buying the bike and I love it. I go for a weekly 80K ride with my LBS, and have lots of fun with it. I even won a sprint last week. My only complaint is Scheels didn't do a proper bike fitting. My saddle was 2" low and 2" to far back. I paid for a proper bike fitting at Stadium bike which is my LBS. I guess if anyone else wants to buy at scheels pay for a proper bike fitting some where else.