jotong

Next summer, I'll be doing a charity ride with Bike & Build from Boston to Santa Barbara, averaging 75 miles/day. The trip is to raise money for affordable housing, and most of the riders are college students, or recent graduates. Most of us don't have extensive cycling or touring experience. There will be a SAG wagon, and we'll be staying in YMCAs, churches, community centers, etc.

As part of the tour, we'll be provided with a bike. We have the option of getting the 2008 Specialized Allez Triple, upgrading to the women's Dolce for $37, or upgrading to the 2008 Trek 1.5 for $185. I'll be visiting my LBS to check out the bikes, but would appreciate any thoughts/comments.

Also, all of these bikes have Sora/Tiagra components. Do you guys think it's worth the money to upgrade to all Tiagra, or better components?


Thanks,
Jo

Unagidon

Go Tiagra if at all possible. I think both the Spec'd and Trek are very similar - I suggest test riding and see which fits you better. Go for the one that feels most comfortable.

Youngin

get a 2007 trek 1.5 for cheaper and better...

Geoff326

i'd get the allez with 105. I think it's definitely worth the money for 105. I believe there is a huge jump in performance from tiagra to 105 and with tiagra I've read plenty of people complaining and wishing to upgrade where as with 105 I rarely here that complaint.

rail157

They don't make an Allez with 105 anymore.

Treefox

Get whichever one fits better.

Failing that, I think the Specialized is a sharper looking ride... Without looking at the specs of the two... Get Tiagra if possible. Failing that get a Tiagra front derailleur if possible (an LBS ought to be able to sort you out with that upgrade for like $15 if you bargain right - and they ought to be able to make the swap in like fifteen minutes). If you don't mind the Sora shifters, the front dereailleur is really the only worrisome part of the Sora groupset.

Treefox

I don't think it's so big at all. Of my two road bikes, one is all 105 and the other has Tiagra shifters and 105 derailleurs/cassette/chainrings/chain. I prefer the Tiagra shifters as it take far less pressure to drop the chain to a smaller cog. It's also a quieter shifter than 105, should one desire to make stealthy jumps off the front. I race the one with Tiagra with no complaints about the shifters - it's not the groupset that's holding me back; it's the legs.

Other than the shape of the hoods and the feel of the 'click' the average rider will detect no difference between 105 and Tiagra. I bet most wouldn't even miss the 10th cog in back on 105.

I'm somewhat less of a fan of Sora, though it's been improved a great deal for the most recent model year. Sora is plenty for anyone not racing - and Tiagra most certainly is.
(If the OP does get a ride with Sora, she should try to make sure she gets the new Sora - shiny black plastic with a gear indicator and 9-speed in back rather than matte black plastic, a very obvious screw on the front, and 8-speed in back.)

Treefox

Old Sora:



New (2008) Sora:

Treefox

Also, it should be mentioned, for a ride that long, you'll want to save as much as possible so you get the best saddle and shorts that money can buy!

Jax9

For me I was juggling between the 07 Specialized Allez Elite and the 07 Trek 1500....I eventually went with the Specialized mainly because of the comfort in the ride (could be due to the Zertz inserts in the forks). Essentially between the two the Trek 1500 had better shifter and front derailleurs but the frame was better with the allez. For the 08 Trek 1.5 I think they got cheap on the components and If your looking at the first level allez it's a tough choice.....

My opinion is if both bikes have the same components and they are both comfortable and the allez has the Zertz inserts I would go with the Specialized Allez (Sorry run-on sentence). You save 185 bucks and the ride is more comfortable. win-win

KidTruth

Allez Triple doesn't have the Zerts inserts, only the Elite models. AFAIK the only Elite model for the Allez is compact (for '08)

Toxanadu

i agree with the above poster. which one fits/feels better.

Jeebs Fat

Hi. I am also riding with Bike and Build this summer (Southern Route) and I am leaning toward the Allez Elite Compact ($287 upgrade) over my intial choice of the Allez Triple maily for these reasons listed here in no particular order:

1) sweet two piece crankset and bottom bracket
2) superior wheelset (triple wall, straight pull spokes)
3) 105 rear, tiagra front, tiagra levers
4) the 50-34t chainring paired with a 11-28t cassette has as more range than the triple and doesn't have the annoyance of being a triple
5) carbon forks, carbon seat stays, and carbon seat post with Zertz: questionable, but apparently for real
6) ergonomic handlebars
7) pretty

Now, I do question if these upgrades are worth the $287. I do think that to get a new $1100 bike for $300 is certain a good deal, but I am still making this decision. And posting this is helping me do so.

Tri-FatBoy

+1

and the 2k8 Allez is quite decent. I've not yet hit the point where I'd change out the Tiagra's on it, if you maintain them the work quite well.

JetWave

I was looking at the Trek 1.2, & some one suggest the 1500. I end up with a 1600 SL which has 105 FlightDeck shifters, 105 FD & Ultegra RD, for $799.00.

mb801

Just bought the 07 Allez Elite Triple (with zertz). Tiagra except for 105 rear. This bike is perfect for me. Could not pass up the price either. $800 from LBS.