First bike- Scott S10 or Specialized allez pro?

[cazten]

Found these two bikes on craiglist for a decent deal I think.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/3037925595.html
First one Is a specialized Allez Pro- 2004, SRAM Rival components. $600

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/3029200889.html
Second is a scott speedster s10, not sure on the year but it has carbon fork and carbon in the back part of the frame. New models seem to be all aluminum? Full Ultegra components, $750.

What do you think is the better bike? Scott worth the extra 150?

Ive ridden SRAM apex which I really liked. Supposedly rival and force are mechanically the same just different material/wieght.
ridden a couple 105/ultegra bikes. They were "ok". Hard to be a judge because the 105 bike had a mix of Tiagra stuff, and the ultegra bike was i think a bit poorly set up. But given my limited experience I felt like SRAM stuff shifted quick hard and accurate which I liked. But tons of people rave about Ultegra as well even if my experience wasnt flawless.

I guess Seeing as im fairly new to the scene Id prefer to get the higher quality bike vs nit picking which components I like best, since Ive hardly any real riding time on either system.

opnions?

[Sherblock]

The scott might have a better frame (I know the ad you are referring to), but it sounds like you like SRAM stuff more than Shimano, so for $150 less it's a no-brainer to go for the allez. Make sure it fits, though.

[ruskko]

scott frame is nicer but hes asking 2 much for that its an older 1 and the ultegra is alteast 1 model old

[cazten]

scott frame is nicer but hes asking 2 much for that its an older 1 and the ultegra is alteast 1 model old

What do you think would be a better counter offer?
And how old do you think it is? From my digging it seems like it was a 2006, as it has the carbon stays and cr1 fork? So its a couple years newer than the specialized.

[ruskko]

What do you think would be a better counter offer?
And how old do you think it is? From my digging it seems like it was a 2006, as it has the carbon stays and cr1 fork? So its a couple years newer than the specialized.

i would come in at 600,just be like the frame is over 4 years old and the components are like 3+.

[JustinHorne]

That's actually a tough call! Two good bikes, and I think are both pretty reasonably priced.

Here's my thoughts, you can ultimately apply them as you will:

1) I love Scott bikes. I've got a newer CR1, and it was the bike I chose after searching around quite a bit. It's a great bike, and I trust Scott frames.
2) I like Sram. A lot. It works really well for me. For me, having a solid break lever is HUGE.
3) Ultegra shifts great. Dunno what was wrong with your setup before, but in terms of shifting speed, Ultegra is 100% equal to Sram. In fact, especially concerning downshifting, I've found Shimano generally needs less lever force to actually shift. Judge shifting preferences based on your likes for the actual shift action, not the speed of it. Any mid--> high end group is going to shift fine when properly setup.
4) I like that the Scott comes with mutiple bars and stems, could be useful for fitting. They look like +/- 7 and 10 degrees, and probably 90 and 100mm. One of those will probably be what you need.
5) The Scott is going to need real pedals, the Specialized comes with some.

[oldbobcat]

That's actually a tough call! Two good bikes, and I think are both pretty reasonably priced.

Here's my thoughts, you can ultimately apply them as you will:

1) I love Scott bikes. I've got a newer CR1, and it was the bike I chose after searching around quite a bit. It's a great bike, and I trust Scott frames.

I didn't know there was so much appreciation for Scott frames around here. Pleasant surprise. Really, the S10 is just like a CR1 executed in aluminum. When I rode one i said, "This feels a lot like a really nice mid-level carbon bike, just a bit heavier."

[Mike F]

I didn't know there was so much appreciation for Scott frames around here. Pleasant surprise. Really, the S10 is just like a CR1 executed in aluminum. When I rode one i said, "This feels a lot like a really nice mid-level carbon bike, just a bit heavier."

Im digging my CR1. Cant say enough about the frame geometry. Not as relaxed as some but not as aggressive as others - a good compromise for me. The Speedsters do have the same geometry and I was talking to a guy with one at a charity ride who just loved his. Im biased, obviously, since the last time I rode an Allez it was the Epic carbon I owned in 1995 and I dont really remember much about that bike (thanks ex-wife).