hubcyclist

i've really been eyeballing the specialized allez to replace my old road bike, but the geometry appears to be more relaxed this year, so I'm trying to decide if the 54cm would be right for me, versus the 56. The reach of the 54 is 380mm, similar to my 56cm cross bike (which I really like) and 570mm stack (583 on the CX, although it has some spacers).

The 56cm version of the allez has a reach of 385mm and stack of 596mm and apparently 175mm cranks (I use 170 on my road bike). My current road bike has a stack of 55cm and a reach of (I believe) 385mm and I have a +17 120 stem on and saddle height of around 75cm from BB.

Anyway, I realize it's a lot of numbers, part of the problem at the moment is that no local shop has both sizes for back to back comparison, so trying to do my homework beforehand, I'm leaning a little toward the 54 as it seems to be a good balance between racing and endurance whereas the 56 seems straight up endurance geo.

furiousferret

Always go shorter. You can always get a longer stem and raise the seat. If its too big you don't have much recourse.

aaronmcd

I don't understand why cyclists wear gloves when its warm. Hand protection? Really? Speeding around corners at 30mph wearing next to nothing but you're worried about fingers, the last thing to ever touch the ground? If you are reaching for the ground with your hands in a crash you're doing it wrong and gloves aren't gonna save them.

revchuck

Reaching for the ground is instinctive regardless of whether it's right, and gloves do help a lot by getting torn up instead of your palms.

rubiksoval

My last crash (on a commute and quite possibly the first ride warm enough the entire spring where I didn't wear gloves) I got a huge gash on my palm and my knuckles, hand, and wrist were all scraped up.

Depends on the crash. Sometimes you reach out, sometimes you don't. In any case, gloves absolutely help keep your hands from being so bloodied. I can cover most of my road rash at work, but I prefer not looking like I just got out of a cage match.

topflightpro

The Allez was redesigned to be a more relaxed, entry level bike for this year. The Allez Sprint retained the more aggressive geometry. Maybe consider the Sprint? There's also always the Caad 12 option.


As said, putting the hand out to brace the fall is kind of instinctive. And a glove will help keep the skin on your palm.

tobukog

When it's really hot and humid, having gloves also gives you better grip. The sweat sometimes won't dry from your hoods and bar tape.

hubcyclist

Oh, I'm trying to get an overall less aggressive geometry, just don't want too relaxed.

Someone on another subforum here made a neat bike geometry web app, and the 54cm allez and my current bike as it's currently set up are not too far apart fit wise (hopefully the link works), which is why I was kind of vacillating.

https://www.bikegeocalc.com/#7Unname...9F172.5G30H30Z

himespau 

Plus, when your ride takes an unplanned veer onto a dirt road (just because you want to see where it goes) and you end up with enough dirt/sand stuck to your tires that they rub on the bottom of your break, a leather protection on your finger is nice to quickly rub off the dirt and stop that annoying rubbing noise.

topflightpro

I prefer bikegeo.net

Flatballer

An excellent point about gloves. How else are you going to rub sand/dirt/rocks off a spinning wheel other than cycling gloves?

hubcyclist

Thanks, I used that tool and the 54cm allez appears to be comparable for fit to both my cross and current road bike. I'll have to check it out to be sure

Ygduf

I broke clavicles gripping the bars all the way to the ground. Reaching for the ground is not _not_ right!

Flatballer

I find that the best way to protect yourself in a crash is to not crash. After that it's kind of a crap shoot.

topflightpro

I separated my shoulder and smacked my head, which most likely contributed to my hearing loss in my left ear. Also, my wife is convinced I concussed myself. I'm not sure how things would have gone had I put my hand out.

Ygduf

we all just need to crash as rarely as I do, but as well as Aaron does...

caloso

I once crashed with my hands on the bars and it tore up the back of one of the gloves. I still have the scar on my knuckles.

Ttoc6

Hands on bar crash was the only time I've ever broken a bone. Slammed hand into ground between bars + concrete = spiral fractured bones in my hand. Didn't hurt that bad, but the repairing of it was... uncomfortable.

seedsbelize 

I do it so my palms aren't so sweaty as to lose their grip.

seedsbelize 

refugees

TMonk

Road rash on your hands is a thing and gloves can protect. Yeah if you slide for meters with your hands pressed into the ground your gloves will get worn through but they help with scrapes.

I generally prefer to not wear gloves, I like to feel the bars more. I wear gloves in the following circumstances:

Road and crit racing
Track racing
MTB
when it's cold out.

-Tmonk

TMonk

My PM (Powertap G3) has been reading high while coasting lately, taking a while to drop down to zero. Like I might coast for 10s and it will still bounce around between 1-10 watts before finally dropping down. Any ideas?

I saw something on Quarq's website (now Ptap owners) about some latent charge buildup or something that can be discharged by connecting one of the terminal battery leads to another piece of metal with some pliers or something to ground. Maybe that will work? I already tried replacing the watch battery.

cmh

I think your G3 is out of calibration. I had this on a couple occasions with my previous Powertap hubs (but not with a G3). Powertap will recalibrate it for a fee. You need to call or email their service people for a return number and ship the whole wheel to them.

TMonk

Yeah, I've done that before (a few years back) and was hoping that it wasn't that... I'm also not to keen on how that will work post Quarq acquisition, like I'm not seeing anything readily available for that on the website. I can call in.

TMonk

Hey guys,

I'm considering getting a new road bike (frame) before I start base training just to make things more exciting. I have a low tier venge with aero bits, so this bike will be used as a training/daily driver/high QOL bike and not to race, except maybe once or twice per year in particularly hilly events. I'm currently on a 2013 TCR Advanced ISP and it's the finest bike I've owned.

I want something that is similarly low-tech, quick release, rim brake. Might get some Di2 for it, so it would need to be compatible w that. Doesn't need big clearance, might prefer it without that.

Any suggestions? Testimonials? I would not shy away from another TCR, but would also consider a tarmac, emonda, supersix, or something entirely different out of of those bike three, if I found the paintjob exciting.

Many Thanks,
Tmonk (David)