cheeken

I grew up in Southwestern Oregon, riding my 10-speed to school and back, about 8 miles round trip. I remember thinking how awesome I was that I was the only kid riding his bike when the other kids were driving. Now, 15ish years later, I've climbed back on a roadie, and I'm hooked. Hooked!

I did some research about 5 months ago to see what was out there, what was good, and I picked up this bike, a 54cm Specialized Allez Somethingsomething from CL for $350. Honestly, I have no idea if this is a good deal, but I've been telling people that it is. It rides like a charm, and I'm already up to 45 mile long rides on the weekends on the San Bernardino part of the Santa Ana River Trail.

The only thing I've done to it is replace the standard pedals with some Look clipless and added a Cateye Wireless computer. I've also fixed a bunch of flats due to some first-week-bad-luck/bad-riding issues.

So, this post is for two reasons:
1) Introduction
2) Did I get a good deal for this one? Thoughts?

My next goal is to go and get it properly fitted at the LBS, and I'm planning on doing the Tour de Palm Springs 55 miler in February, and the Salton Sea Century in October.

Here are some pics:






Actually, one more reason: Happy New Year BF!!!

Rev.Chuck

Is the seat height correct in the pictures? It looks a little low or the bike might be a little big. However if you are comfy keep on riding.

cheeken

I tried to raise the seat height a little bit, and what it is in the picture is actually higher than it had been previously, but much more than that and my legs are fully extended at the bottom of the stroke. I'm 5'9", but I'm about 80% torso.

Psimet2001 

Seat height looks OK to me. That tape makes it look lower than it is. Slam those bars and there would be a decent bar drop.

$350 for anything you can ride for piles of miles is an awesome deal.

Welcome and keep riding.

Rev.Chuck

AAhh. In that case it looks pretty good. I am the other way. I ride a smaller bike with LOTS of post showing, no torso, all leg.

DieselDan

$350 for that bike? If it fits, and the wheels stay true, you got a good deal. Looks like at least a Tiagra or RSX group set, 32 spoke wheels with Mavic CXP-21 rims, and aluminum frame.

mimib123

It looks pretty.

Obviously I'm new at this sport, all I can say is what I just did.

Dynamic

that stem scares me.

rollin

Sound like a good deal to me. I'm sure you love it. Ride hard and ride safe!

(I think what scares Dynamic about your stem is the rise, I'm sure the fitting will take care of it)

chris1010

350...good deal, nice bike

Sirrobinofcoxly

Flip it

(or at least give it a shot, and see how it feels)

operator

flip

350 is a pretty good deal

JayC

I see you opted for the black chain option.

CardiacKid

Why would he flip it when he has all those spacers?

clutchy

I live in Loma Linda!!

RC2

If it got you hooked on cycling, 350 is a bargain. Getting fit properly sounds like the right next step, but be prepared for a strong urge to part with a lot more money than that for a new one.

telebianchi

That frame looks like my 97/98 Allez Comp. My frame was metalic orange-copper and had all Ultegra except for a Specialized BB & Crank. But the shape and decals on your frame makes me think these are the same.

I loved that bike. Compared to my Fuji Cross that replaced it (story on that below), the Allez felt like it just jumped out from under when you accelerated. I'm 5'8" and my Allez was a 52cm. So the comments about your seat hight make sense with your height on a 54cm frame. But, as was said above, if it's comfortable don't worry about it. The only thing I had thought about changing on the Allez was to switch the aluminum fork for a carbon fork. But I never got around to it.

Unfortunately, my Allez met an untimely end when a car heading in the opposite direction decided to take a left turn across my lane as I was doing about 30 mph down a hill. I nicked her bumper and the bike and I went flying. I somehow got away with just a sprained shoulder and some road rash but both the fork and frame got nice cracks in them. The frame still hangs in my storage room just because.

Psydotek

+1

Well, actually i don't live out there... I finished school there 6 years ago though.

My sister and her husband live out there now and i'm out on the San Bernardino/Riverside section of SART quite often. Makes for a nice flat 30 mile ride with an optional 2 mile hill climb in the middle. I usually park at the Quality Inn parking lot at the north end of the trail.

cheeken

That's funny because the morning after I took these pics, I cleaned and lubed the chain. It was like pulling up shag rug in your house to find mahogany hardwood floors underneath.

Stupid noob question: What does this mean? What would I flip (and where are the spacers)?

So, when do you ride?

bindibadgi

The suggestion was to try flipping the stem (the bit holding the handlebars - just in case ) upside down (so it is angled down instead of up), and the spacers are all those silver rings under it.

I'd say if you're comfortable, especially in the drops (the bottom of the handlebars), then leave it alone! The most I'd do would be to move a spacer or two from under the stem to above it, and see if you're any more comfy on a longish ride. But be careful with undoing the head set (the cap over the stem) and especially doing it up again. Maybe get a shop to do it if you're not experienced. They should let you watch them though if you ask.

Have fun on your new bike!

cheeken

Thanks...that all made sense. Yeah, I haven't had the fitting yet, and after this storm blows through town, I'll go see what they have to say.