Tesch Built Specialized Allez
10-19-21, 02:28 PM
#1
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Tesch Built Specialized Allez
Here is a pic just out of the stand and waiting final adjustments. I bought this frame off eBay a couple months ago. The frame lived a hard life. It was converted to a "fixie" but was fortunately not altered further. I am sure this is how it acquired the dent in the top tube. I was the only bidder given the sorry state it was in. From my reading, Speciailized contracted with Dave Tesch for 200 Allez frames. He was not a fast builder and did not fill the entire contract. For whatever reason, I became enamored with Tesch bikes sometime in the 1980s. It was a Bicycling article that did it. Why Tesch stood out to me more than the other builders, I cannot say. But, I've always wanted one. I have now acquired three, with this being the latest. I can't wait to get this one on the road.
It is built with a friction Sprint group. Bars and stem are Specialized (not sure who made them, but I like the quality of both). Sprint hubs and Araya rims. New Challenge Strada 25 mm clinchers. We had a debate between tan wall and black wall tires. And, between white and blue bar tape. Given that it is my bike, I won both those debates
Did I make the right choice?
It is built with a friction Sprint group. Bars and stem are Specialized (not sure who made them, but I like the quality of both). Sprint hubs and Araya rims. New Challenge Strada 25 mm clinchers. We had a debate between tan wall and black wall tires. And, between white and blue bar tape. Given that it is my bike, I won both those debates
Did I make the right choice?
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10-19-21, 02:37 PM
#2
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3 Tesch's 
That almost tops 5 Merz's, almost.
I'm sure you've seen the actual number was in the 60's according to multiple accounts from Bryant Bainbridge, special projects manager at big S during that time.
Any of them too big for you?
That almost tops 5 Merz's, almost.
I'm sure you've seen the actual number was in the 60's according to multiple accounts from Bryant Bainbridge, special projects manager at big S during that time.
Any of them too big for you?
10-19-21, 02:44 PM
#3
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I did not see that the number was as low as the 60s for the Allez. I guess I got lucky to find one in my size. How many ~58s could be there be if there are only 60 frames...
All three Tesch are my size - a Hwy 101, S-22 and this one. I've posted pics of the S-22, but I don't think I have of the 101.
All three Tesch are my size - a Hwy 101, S-22 and this one. I've posted pics of the S-22, but I don't think I have of the 101.
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10-19-21, 02:49 PM
#4
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Tesch S-22 making me look fast (but not really...) Only pic I have on this computer.
No Merz's for me yet
No Merz's for me yet
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10-19-21, 03:07 PM
#5
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@Shrevvy
https://m.bikeforums.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=70
And post #34 in that same thread.
Big S only ordered 100 of them, the 200 included 100 Stumpy's it seems.
https://m.bikeforums.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=70
And post #34 in that same thread.
Big S only ordered 100 of them, the 200 included 100 Stumpy's it seems.
10-19-21, 03:09 PM
#6
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You serious about a Merz? 
10-19-21, 03:25 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by merziac
@Shrevvy
https://m.bikeforums.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=70
And post #34 in that same thread.
Big S only ordered 100 of them, the 200 included 100 Stumpy's it seems.
https://m.bikeforums.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=70
And post #34 in that same thread.
Big S only ordered 100 of them, the 200 included 100 Stumpy's it seems.
Yes, I seriously do not have a Merz...
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10-19-21, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Thanks for that. I had 200 ordered and 160 delivered stuck in my head. Seems I may have added 100 to each number.
Yes, I seriously do not have a Merz...
Yes, I seriously do not have a Merz...
You're welcome, anytime.Merz Allez, original custom or both?
it's crazy you found 3 out of those, let alone your size.
58's used to be on my radar as I rode 60-64 ideally I thought, then found a 66 Merz, rode it, had an epiphany, got a 25 1/2in. Paramount to validate new sizing and quit buying 58's.
HOWEVER, a 58 Tesch would be one of the few I could still consider.
10-19-21, 04:36 PM
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Was this from Santa Barbara? If so that used to be mine before I sold it to a friend who built it up as a fixie. It already had the dent when I got it.
10-19-21, 05:22 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by winstonb
Was this from Santa Barbara? If so that used to be mine before I sold it to a friend who built it up as a fixie. It already had the dent when I got it.
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10-19-21, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Tesch S-22 making me look fast (but not really...) Only pic I have on this computer.
No Merz's for me yet
No Merz's for me yet
10-19-21, 05:27 PM
#12
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Very cool bike and you did the frame justice with that nice build.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
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10-19-21, 05:55 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by repechage
I have an S-22, in Hot Neon Pink. Built for Speed and Attention.
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10-19-21, 06:02 PM
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Take care of the paint job too, all but the first few were painted by Brian Baylis.
I found my frame under a table at an Austin Frankenbike swap meet.
1987 Specialized Team Allez
I found my frame under a table at an Austin Frankenbike swap meet.
1987 Specialized Team Allez
Last edited by Chuckk; 10-20-21 at 07:32 AM.
10-19-21, 06:07 PM
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10-19-21, 06:36 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs
Very cool bike and you did the frame justice with that nice build.
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10-19-21, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by merziac
3 Tesch's
That almost tops 5 Merz's, almost.
That almost tops 5 Merz's, almost.
Or 9, I lost count...
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10-19-21, 07:22 PM
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Stunning! Lucky to have found it on the bay. All the Allez I can find are either trash or waaay overpriced. And I check the offers more than regularly..!
10-20-21, 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by curbtender
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10-20-21, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Classtime
I didn’t even get to see the add. Gone.
Tesch Racing Road Bike - Durace Parts - $499 (san mateo)
image 1 of 4
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10-21-21, 12:48 AM
#21
Junior Member
Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Here is a pic just out of the stand and waiting final adjustments. I bought this frame off eBay a couple months ago. The frame lived a hard life. It was converted to a "fixie" but was fortunately not altered further. I am sure this is how it acquired the dent in the top tube. I was the only bidder given the sorry state it was in. From my reading, Specialized contracted with Dave Tesch for 200 Allez frames. He was not a fast builder and did not fill the entire contract. For whatever reason, I became enamored with Tesch bikes sometime in the 1980s. It was a Bicycling article that did it. Why Tesch stood out to me more than the other builders, I cannot say. But, I've always wanted one. I have now acquired three, with this being the latest. I can't wait to get this one on the road.
It is built with a friction Sprint group. Bars and stem are Specialized (not sure who made them, but I like the quality of both). Sprint hubs and Araya rims. New Challenge Strada 25 mm clinchers. We had a debate between tan wall and black wall tires. And, between white and blue bar tape. Given that it is my bike, I won both those debates Did I make the right choice?
It is built with a friction Sprint group. Bars and stem are Specialized (not sure who made them, but I like the quality of both). Sprint hubs and Araya rims. New Challenge Strada 25 mm clinchers. We had a debate between tan wall and black wall tires. And, between white and blue bar tape. Given that it is my bike, I won both those debates
Did I make the right choice?
10-21-21, 12:50 AM
#22
Junior Member
Originally Posted by Shrevvy
Tesch S-22 making me look fast (but not really...) Only pic I have on this computer.
No Merz's for me yet
No Merz's for me yet
10-21-21, 12:59 AM
#23
Junior Member
Originally Posted by curbtender
Tesch Racing Road Bike - Durace Parts - $499 (san mateo)
image 1 of 4
10-22-21, 05:15 AM
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Very nice bike. FWIW the Specialized stem and handlebars of that era were made by Nitto -- they are nicely made, and the stems are lovely to look at, IMHO.
