ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

Anyone familiar with this?
I was considering purchasig his as my first real geared road bike....idk though. What are everyone's thoughts.

The closest LBS that carries this bike had it for $575.

Good things? Bad Things?

Any other suggestions for Steel Bike Frames to build up from? I want to build one up from scratch by myself, but am also considering just buying complete.

I was also looking at Raleigh Record Ace, International, and the Grand Prix, and various other steel road bikes. I <3 Steel.

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

Also looking at a Gran Criterium from Masi,

LemondFanForeve

Masi's are excellent bikes(incase you didnt know, Masi was the bike ridden by Dave Stoeller in the movie Breaking Away). Not familiar with The Allez steel(is that the one ridden in American Flyers?), if so, then, thats a great bike too. Im sure more of the techies here, could help you out.

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

Ok. I also was looking at the Speciale. I feel to stretched out on my ss with its current geometry and am looking for something with a shorter top tube.....that would make sense right? since my stem probably wont go any shorter without messing with the handling?.....anyway yeah. The speciale looks good. Kinda wish it came as a frameset.

Thanks though.

LesterOfPuppets

Of course back in those days (prolly earlier than when the movie came out) Allez were 3Rensho frames, but not anymore.

Masi's aren't quite the same bike they were back then either, but not a bad ride.

If you need a 61cm here's a bargain steel option.

$300 Motobecane Mirage. I hope you need a 61 so they'll sell out of them and hopefully get some new bargain steel there at BD.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_xi_steel.htm

LesterOfPuppets

What frame is your SS? What bars? You can usually go down to 80mm without getting too twitchy.

bellweatherman

No. Allez were not even made in the same country, let alone same factory as 3Rensho.

LesterOfPuppets

Movie dropped in 1985. Most likely 3rensho framed Allez in that movie.

Most early 80s Specialized, even MTBs were made in Japan. Some Allez frames by Yoshi Konno.

bellweatherman

No. Konno made for 3rensho. He never did for specialized.

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

its a 53cm Iro Mark V...then again maybe im just tripping....never got fitted which might explain a lil bit XD. Im leaning towards a Masi Speciale...but ill do more research. Id really like some gears to conquer los montanas.

LesterOfPuppets

If you're running flats or risers and feel stretched out and move to a bike with drop bar that has even say a 3cm shorter reach (BB to top of headtube centerline. Then you're still gonna feel too stretched out if you ride on hoods or drops of new bike.

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

Ahh no im not into the whole riser/fat thing. I ride drops with hoods.=].

Do you guys suggest building from scratch or buying complete?

canam73

Building requires knowledge, skill and bike specific tools. I'm assuming you have these.

Buying complete usually gets you a much better deal. Building gets you exactly what you want (or can afford). Can you find a complete bike that you like all or at least most of the parts on?

bikeng

Hi Phantom,

I tried to send you a PM but apparently do not have enough posts to qualify. Please PM me what bike store you saw the Allez at. I was hoping to test ride one and was also looking at Raleigh, Masi, etc. Thanks for your help.

pallen

buying complete usually makes the most sense financially. Building it yourself is more fun and can save money if you buy used or older new parts. It takes some skill and tools, but its not rocket surgery. When I was looking in that price range, I ended up with a Surly Pacer.

Rocket-Sauce 

There seems to be some confusion here. Most 80s Specialized bikes were made in Japan. Early to mid 80s Specialized Allez were made by 3Rensho, specifically by Yoshio Konno. The next model down, the Allez SE was made by Miyata.

Scooby214

I have a 2010 Allez Steel Double, and love it. I paid $399 new on clearance at my LBS. It does have rather low end components, such as Shimano 2300 and Alex s500 wheels, but they are to be expected at this pricepoint. The other thing is the downtube shifters. I don't mind them, and the indexed rear shifter makes for quick and easy gear changes. They are also very low maintenance. Some people are not comfortable with downtube shifters because of the need to take a hand off of the bars to shift, but I've never had a problem with it.

The steel frame and fork are very comfortable to ride on. There is little clearance for a larger rear tire, due to the front derailleur clamp, so you are pretty much stuck with 23s or 25s. This isn't a problem for me as I only weigh 145 lbs and can ride 23s without pumping them up too hard. The 58 cm frame fits my 6'1" body perfectly.

I just rode my Allez in the OBS Streak, here in the Okla. City area. I rode the longest ride, which was just over 100 km, and could've done more.

bikeng

I'm in the market for a steel road bike and prefer the down tube shifters. Besides the Allez, can anyone recommend any similar bikes around the same price point? Thanks!

LesterOfPuppets

If you need a 61cm check out the Moto Mirage I linked upthread, $300 cheaper than Allez.

Or for $300 more than Allez and more old school flair:

kabex

that masi is HOT

sharpsandflatts

theadless fork + non aero levers looks goofy. ugh.

in response to the OP's question, for the price range you're looking at, i'd go for the used market. there are lots of older bikes available that were produced in the era when the overwhelming majority of bikes were made from steel. today it seems like most new steel bikes seem to fall into either the fairly low end category (a la that allez) or niche-y high end. That $575 will go a long way on craigslist towards the purchase of an 80's steel bike with a good component set.

re: building a bike from scratch. having done it several times myself, i can tell you that while it can be a rewarding experience, it almost always ends up costing far more than you think it will. unless of course you are willing to wait indefinitely in order to pounce on the good deals to pop up on ebay or CL. as others have mentioned, it also requires specialized tools and knowledge so i wouldn't recommend doing it unless you have a firm base of knowledge in bicycle maintenance. if you end up having to take it to a shop to do things that you can't do, it will add to the cost significantly.

canam73

Cheaper:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_xi_steel.htm

LesterOfPuppets

Cheaper, but only available in 61cm at the moment. If the bike in PF's avatar pic fits him I doubt he's in the market for a 61cm. Dunno about bikeng's size.

If they ever get those Moto Mirages back up in a 52 or 54 I'm gonna be all over it!

canam73

Well crap. I guess there really is a fine line between being clever and beings stupid.

mazdaspeed

Get an 80's road bike, good balance between vintage and modern if you get something like a dura ace 7400 or ultegra 6400 equipped bike. In fact for $800-ish you could probably find a 90's European bike with a campy ergo group. I would greatly prefer an older but high end bike over a modern lower end bike. I've picked up a steel allez in person and it's seriously 2-3lbs heavier than either of my steel bikes which aren't even especially light.