impulsivegreg

*EDIT: SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PICS OF NEW BIKE*

Hello all, I just recently got into cycling when my friend offered me his GMC Denali (yes, walmart "road bike") for $20. I bought it just to see if I enjoyed the sport and man did it hit me hard! I absolutely love cycling! I put about 200 miles on the GMC with a few short rides (40 miles so far, but I plan much more, my current "short term" goal is a century).

Anyways, went into my local bike shop and talked to the salesman about getting my first decent entry level bike. At first he talked to me about the Trek 1.1 and Specialized Allez. I liked the 1.1 but I have heard amazing reviews on the Allez. Then the bike shop performed a bike fit and said I was best suited for a 56cm or 58cm. So I tried out one of each and the 56cm was the choice for me. (I am 6' 1"), the 58cm just made me stretch too much and it wasn't comfortable.

Moving forward, I started to think that maybe I should get one step above the base model. Specifically moving up the Allez Sport, with the Sora 9-speed groupset and carbon fork, it was an obvious choice. The Trek 1.2 didn't appeal to me very much, so I decided on the Allez Sport.

I got it in 56cm, and apparently the "newly released" color Satin Black/Charcoal. Very happy with my decision. The bike comes with 1-year of free maintenance/adjustments. As well as a 10% discount on all bike gear. I already have the basics (shorts, shoes/cleats/pedals, jersey, helmet, glasses, saddle bag, computer, etc.) The total came to $943.85 with tax. (priced at $860, which was already $70 cheaper than MSRP)



All in all, I am super happy with my decision and I can't wait for the bike to come in next week Where they will fit it to me and I will get my test ride on the trainer and on the road if I so choose.

Also, my bike shop said that if for any reason, I was not satisfied with the Allez Sport, I didn't have to buy it.

Just for ***** and giggles, here is a picture of what I am upgrading from:

Mackers

Did you lose part of the smallest sprocket?

impulsivegreg

No I did not, the brick behind it just blends in with it. Speaking of that, one of the highlights of this new bike is the much better gearing. The current gearing on my GMC is 28/38/48, and 14-28.

longbeachgary

Great choice. If you like the Denali, you're going to love the Allez.

8086bruce

Congrats and enjoy!!!

J_Boogie

Congratulations. This will be the most significant gear upgrade you will ever make. (Performance goes up in very small increments and costs significantly from this point on).

link0

Great looking color scheme. Nice choice!

Team Sarcasm

Very nice OP!

budkid

I think you will just love the Shimano shifters compared to your old Denali.

Motolegs

Nice bike! What tires did it come with? (Big step up from the GMC Denali IMO)

Motolegs

OP, since you are lucky enough to buy from a Specialized dealer, you might want to try on a pair of Armadillo tires. These things are bulletproof, and make cycling a worryproof activity.

Mackers

I would swear that I can see part of the cassette body where the 14 tooth cog should be in that last picture.

NoviceJohn

Congrats! I bought the base model five months ago and still love it. Planning on upgrading to the Race or Smartweld model a couple years from now if I'm still into cycling.

impulsivegreg

Nope, they are all there:




And thanks everyone! Very happy with my purchase! The hardest part is just waiting until next week when the bike comes in!
Still going to get some riding in while I wait for the new bike to arrive! Plan on doing some interval training as well as a 50 mile ride


Edit: Motolegs- The tires are Specialized Espoir Sport, 700x25c

BikeAnon

Get out and ride. Don't forget about us, come back and update the thread with pics of the new bike!

impulsivegreg

Got the call from the shop today! Went in, got fitted. Long story short, the bike was worth every penny. It fits me like a glove! The LBS swapped out the stock stem for a 90mm Specialized stem since my elbows kept locking on the stock length ones.

Overall, this bike has the fit, feel, and finish. I absolutely love it! Also with my bike I decided to pick up a new Cateye Padrone wireless computer, that is fantastic, large display and not over complicated!

Compared to my GMC, well, there is no comparison. This bike is fantastic and I could not be happier!

Onto some pics!

8086bruce

Great looking bike congrats!!!

longbeachgary

You know that a neat garage is the sign of a sick mind.....

budkid

enjoy your ride!

Gran Fondo

Nice purchasing decision. Glad you got the bug However, I must say you do look a little tall for the bike. What size stem does it have and what fore/aft position is the seat in?

impulsivegreg

Thank you! I'm 6' 2" and the bike is a 56cm, I would have agreed when looking on paper that the bike may be small for me. But a 58cm was just too big. I tried an Allez Comp in 58cm and I just had to stretch. I guess my legs are much longer than my torso. The stem is a 90mm, the stock one was 100mm but my elbows locked with it. The 90mm was much more comfortable. I'm not exactly sure how to answer about seat but maybe this picture will answer your question:



On paper, the bike seems too small, but when I get out and ride, I never have a second thought.



Also, huge thanks to everyone else as well! Really appreciate all of this positive feedback

kc0bbq

I'm 6'2" on a 56cm Trek Madone. Same experience, should be too small but is somehow extremely comfortable. When my physical therapist did my fitting he was skeptical, but it just works.

Lots of toe overlap, though, since I have feet like clown shoes.

zymphad

I've been cycling few months now everyday, about 100-150 miles a week since September. I have none of those. I wouldn't consider those basics. Just the bike, lights and helmet are basics And I've built my bike up and will be building another bike. No plans to buy any of the above. I plan to ride a lot in khaki shorts and birkenstock sandles this summer.

impulsivegreg

I wasn't saying they were necessary, I just find that they make my ride much more convenient.

JerrySTL

Nice bike. If you get stationed at Scott AFB we can do some riding together.

Keep the old GMC for a wet weather bike or for dirt trails. You can never have too many bikes!