First Bike- Felt Z100 or Specialized Allez Steel?
10-25-10, 10:45 PM
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First Bike- Felt Z100 or Specialized Allez Steel?
Hey everyone, I'm a complete newb in the road biking world. I'm currently looking for a road bike for commuting and recreational purposes. I'll be commuting 5 relatively flat miles to my high school everyday. I also have 2 or 3 friends that are actually serious roadies and I was thinking it might be fun to go riding with them occasionally.
The two bikes I'm looking at are:
The Felt Z100 https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011...ries/Z100.aspx and
the Specialized Allez Steel https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road
Some extra info: I'm rather short (5'3") so I'd need the smallest size of either. When I tried the 51cm Felt, I was able to stand over the top tube but I didn't have a whole lot of clearance. Looking at the specs, would I be able to fit the 47cm Specialized? Also, would these bikes be suitable for my purposes? Lastly, are there any other bikes you guys would recommend ($800 absolute max)?
The two bikes I'm looking at are:
The Felt Z100 https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011...ries/Z100.aspx and
the Specialized Allez Steel https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road
Some extra info: I'm rather short (5'3") so I'd need the smallest size of either. When I tried the 51cm Felt, I was able to stand over the top tube but I didn't have a whole lot of clearance. Looking at the specs, would I be able to fit the 47cm Specialized? Also, would these bikes be suitable for my purposes? Lastly, are there any other bikes you guys would recommend ($800 absolute max)?
10-25-10, 11:15 PM
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Kona ***** Tonk.
10-25-10, 11:38 PM
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Well,
if this was your second, backup bike, I would get the Specialized Allez steel in a heat-beat. However, if your only choice is these two bikes, and you are a newbie not trying to fit into the hipster scene (I am guessing you do not wear mismatched clothing, funky glasses and your wife's jeans), the I would get the Felt (unless you have the ability to buy some integrated shifters to replace the down-tube shifters on the Specialized). While some standard roadies are returning to down tube shifters for the retro approach towards riding, for a newbie, I think you should stick to a more modern shifting technology. I think removing the barriers to entry in terms of riding enjoyment is more of a prerogative.
That being said - I also think you should perhaps look into other steel bike options with integrated shifting. While I have an ALU bike and enjoy it, there are a LOT of people who complain about the feel of ALU, and its ride quality.
Finally - get the bike that fits, especially if one of the options requires longer/shorter than average stems and/or seat-post heights.
if this was your second, backup bike, I would get the Specialized Allez steel in a heat-beat. However, if your only choice is these two bikes, and you are a newbie not trying to fit into the hipster scene (I am guessing you do not wear mismatched clothing, funky glasses and your wife's jeans), the I would get the Felt (unless you have the ability to buy some integrated shifters to replace the down-tube shifters on the Specialized). While some standard roadies are returning to down tube shifters for the retro approach towards riding, for a newbie, I think you should stick to a more modern shifting technology. I think removing the barriers to entry in terms of riding enjoyment is more of a prerogative.
That being said - I also think you should perhaps look into other steel bike options with integrated shifting. While I have an ALU bike and enjoy it, there are a LOT of people who complain about the feel of ALU, and its ride quality.
Finally - get the bike that fits, especially if one of the options requires longer/shorter than average stems and/or seat-post heights.
10-26-10, 06:24 PM
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One major concern I have is the stealing factor at my high school. The specialized definitely would be less of a target for bike robbers. Granted, there are at least 100 bikes all locked up in the bike racks at the front of my school, but very few of them look as cool as the Felt.
10-26-10, 06:33 PM
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I've been very happy with my z90.
10-26-10, 06:37 PM
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Felt for sure, the allez is OK but it's heavy and there's no justification for downtubes over STI shifters on your main bike.
10-26-10, 07:07 PM
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Neither - I think both bikes may be too big.
Felt with 525 tt, and 74.5 seat tube angle will stretch you out. The Specialized, although 505 tt, has a 76 seat tube angle, so the effective reach will be about the same as the Felt.
Alternative:
Trek has 1.1 or 1.2 in 43cm size. Those have a relatively shorter reach than the bikes listed above.
Giant Defy 3 in XL. 515 top tube, with 74 degree seat tube angle. Again, it will be a better fit than your Felt and Specialized choices.
My fave, if it'll fit you: Jamis Satellite Sport: 515 top tube with 74.5 seat tube angle. Won't fit as well as the Trek or Giant, but it's a steel bike with STI in your price range.
I would choose steel over aluminum because it should give you a nicer ride, and will give you a frame where you can upgrade parts, still giving you a nice / comfy bike. Aluminum frames, at this level, are just the most inexpensive frames. So I would take 4130 steel, even if heavier, over alu frames any day at this price range.
Felt with 525 tt, and 74.5 seat tube angle will stretch you out. The Specialized, although 505 tt, has a 76 seat tube angle, so the effective reach will be about the same as the Felt.
Alternative:
Trek has 1.1 or 1.2 in 43cm size. Those have a relatively shorter reach than the bikes listed above.
Giant Defy 3 in XL. 515 top tube, with 74 degree seat tube angle. Again, it will be a better fit than your Felt and Specialized choices.
My fave, if it'll fit you: Jamis Satellite Sport: 515 top tube with 74.5 seat tube angle. Won't fit as well as the Trek or Giant, but it's a steel bike with STI in your price range.
I would choose steel over aluminum because it should give you a nicer ride, and will give you a frame where you can upgrade parts, still giving you a nice / comfy bike. Aluminum frames, at this level, are just the most inexpensive frames. So I would take 4130 steel, even if heavier, over alu frames any day at this price range.
