Hi. I’m a total newb to C/V bikes.

Are these bikes similar enough on how they ride, frame material, etc. to dissuade one from owning both?

After reading a bit about frames, I’m still not entirely sure if Tange = CrMo.

I currently have the Allez but have been pining for an Ironman.

And there’s just something about red bikes...

I guess you could just buy an ironman and see for yourself. If you get one at a reasonable price you probably won't loose money on it if it doesn't work for you and you decide to sell it.

Plenty here in both camps and I vote Specialized, the Ironmen will be along shortly I suspect. I agree with IC about getting one but unlike him I just vote for both.

I’m trying to gather some ammo for the wife and looks like I have two so far.

If you are looking for someone to talk you out of buying a vintage bike, this probably isn’t the best place to post.

Is the stem on your Specialized extended past the Safe line?

Also, Big S specced their tubing themselves, a deep dive will reveal some info but they used many suppliers, likely the ones they could strongarm into the cheapest price.

Several of the best framebuilders in the business worked for them and knew exactly what they wanted so were able to dictate that based on 100's of 1000's of frames being built.

They have some of the most well engineered and produced frames for numbers they were produced in.

It’s not. I grudgingly decided to replace the Specialized stem with a longer Technomic one. It was only a few millimeters passed the safe line but decided to play it safe.

That’s great info, thanks!

That explains the buttery goodness I felt when I first rode it.

You're welcome.

Absolutely, Jim Merz, Mark DiNucci, Tim Neenan, Brian Bayless, David Tesch and many other guru's had a hand in all of it and it shows, especially in the ride as you found out and as it should.

I think this gave Big S a big advantage, they got it very right and like I said, knowing Sinyard the strongarm, they got great tubing/frames for likely way less than many others so win, win for them and us, fortunately.

Get both! Get some hooks on your garage rafters.... cuz once you start down this C/V collecting path there’s no looking back!

Nothing wrong with having both! That said, my '85 Ironman is my second favorite bike in my stable, and my number 1 favorite is also a Centurion lol.

My biggest hurdle is finding a one that fits me for a decent price.

There’s one my size for sale for just the frame and fork for $150. And another that’s 4cm too big for $200 - complete bike and looks pretty clean. Debating whether to get both and swap the parts.

Love the red pedals on that sweet ride, by the way.

My Allez was an ‘86 SE (blue) and I believe that the Allez was faster than any of my IM. I had an 86 IM (red) at the same time and before that I had an 87 and my sons 89.

edit: I went back to see your Allez set up. You may like the IM more for that style of riding. I recommend that you wait for an 86 because it has better tire clearance for 28mm GP4000s.

Great info, thank you! I was planning on using an IM for the first Tri event I go into this year.

BTW, those tires are actually 25s. I have 28s on my regular ride since I was told that wider is faster/less rolling resistance. The rims on the Allez can only take up to 25mm, but I’ll put anything on that can take me to the finish line quicker.

I believe you can pick up an Ironman quite a bit cheaper and easier to find than an Ellez .My
89 Ironman has 28mm tires on it.

I sure hope so. Patience has never been my strong suit.