I am in a position right now and I was wondering what folks here may think. I am hoping I will get some great advice. (edit for content )

Here is my question. I have a Specialized Allez SE Jim Merz ed. that is way too big for me I think it is a 56-58CM I ride much smaller 50-52cm tops. The Allez is 105 equipped and very ridable, but as stated not comfortable for long rides. I am in the midst of building up a frame that will fit me, but I am short on parts that I could canniblize off the Allez, or just sell outright and use the funds to buy parts I need.

I really LOVE this bike the history behind it is incredible (to me anyway ). I have emailed back and forth with someone who was working @ Specialized and worked with the team who designed this bike. He provided a very detailed history of the design and the people who were involved i.e. Mark DiNucci who actually designed the bike but it was labled w/ Jim's sig. because he was senior and oversaw the project.

The bike is pretty good shape with some scratches in the paint but overall pretty good cosmetically. 100% mechanically.

So would it be blasphemous to canniblize this bike in my desire to build up a worthy frame or would it best just to sell it to someone who it would better fit and might ride it complete. I know I could probably borrow some parts until the funds arrive then return them to the Allez, but it may be a while as funds are slow to come by these days.

I just purchased a Cannondale that is a smidge too big that I planned to use for parts but with a shorter stem it would fit much better. Then I began to eye the Allez collecting dust and thought with some parts from it I could make 2 bikes...

I would keep it whole, and sell it complete to buy what I need, because I like to keep things original. If the parts were un-original, I'd cannibalize it.

If the parts were original and very hard to find then yes keep it original. Shimano 105 parts will never be rare so if someone wanted to put it original they could easily. Use the Allez all you want for a parts donor.

I agree that the 105 kit is easy to find and nothing special. On the other hand there is something special about a bike that's all original, even though they're not uncommon. Maybe I'm just sentimental.

+1 on keeping it original, but only if the parts are rare or proprietary to the frame and bike model. Try to retain things that the frame will need to be rideable by the next owner(s) like special sized and configured seatposts or items with rare or harder to find threading (Swiss/French Threading). Same with Pantographed components which will be best off being left on the appropriate brand and model bike, instead of floating around unmounted for years in auction sites and display shelves, looking for the correct bike to land on.

Chombi

I'd not change the frameset, seat post, saddle, or steering, or even housing and wrap, for that matter.
Keep the items that you think were put there specifically for that bike, that are not on other bikes in wide distribution.

I'd probably check into the availability of the same OEM parts of the group (105, be sure to note 1050, 1055, 1056, etc)
They are interchangeable, and unless marked, you don't know if they were OEM, as OEM parts can break on day 1.

If the parts are interchangeable and can be readily obtained, build your fit bike and ride it.
Slowly, through trades and deals, acquire the parts you need to put back on the Specialized.

If it really bugs you, then acquire the parts and swap them on your rider, put the originals back on the Specialized.

Great bike, great history. Wants and needs to be ridden, but I completely understand keeping a too-big bike because of what it is, where it's been. Every bike has a story.

Been there, done that, and don't blame you one bit, but I'd not attach any special significance to one 1050 RD over another 1050 RD, for example.

I'd say post the history in this thread. That's the kind of stuff we love.

Post a pic or two, too. We love pics.

If you have a historical (rare-ish) bike and the provenance that goes with it, keep it original, even if it is just Shimano 105. If it's too big for you, keep it as a collector piece. If you plan to sell it, sell it complete. Include a printed copy of the history you have - pass it on. Don't part it out.


This is a BAD way to start a post where you are asking for opinions. You imply that "purists" have only "staunch" views and are somehow lacking in "common sense"?

Where you located geographically and how much "funds to buy parts I need" are you looking for? I have a friend who is looking for a C & V Specialized in that size.

I edited my Profile to show my location as well as my comments, as it wasn't meant to be taken as offensive in nature. It isn't really rare bike I was told "thousands were made, possibly ten thousand..." but it is certainly uncommen, as I have found little info on it. I was contacted via Ficker where I have the pics posted and thus ensured my Q & A session. I will post pics this evening.

Jim Merz regularly posts on the Classic Rendezvous Forum and has fascinating reminiscences of frames he's built, people he's worked with and so on. One of his frames is likely to have an interesting story. Might be worth contacting him through that Forum to get the provenance of the bike in his own words?

To use the parts off that bike? Why not, but as you replace them on your other bike, put them back where they came from - that's what I do in this situation. Over the months I pick up identical parts on e-bay at the cheapest price I can, no rush after all, put them on the recipient bike and return the originals to the donor bike.

Also, what good is a frameset that isn't any where near your size. Pull the parts off you need or to fill up the parts bins. Then sell the frameset to someone that will build it up and actually ride it. Or try and trade it for a frameset in your size.

Harvest parts and ride tomorrow, or mess around with low ballers, tire kickers, no shows, and shipping.

I'd choose to ride tomorrow! Harvest away and godspeed.

Ok as promised here are a few pics.

Doh! Shimano 600 with 105 Aeros /facepalm

A quick search found this pic of Merz and DiNucci on one of their blog pages:

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_59nl-twrOf...rz+dinucci.jpg

I'd probably keep it intact and try to find someone who fits it and is willing to swap for what you need to build up your frameset. A bike is a bike until it has a history, then that history may or may not make it special.

As others have said, do what you wish with it, it's yours. Bummer is that it is my size and I love the color! I'm sure that if you intend to ever sell it you won't have a problem doing so.

Ever since my encounter with an early 90's Allez, I've been a big fan of Mark DiNucci. If you have stories and background info on those 80's and 90's Specialized steel bikes, please share them. Regarding your Allez, depends on what the market condition is in your area, I would keep the bike whole and sell it.

What is the connection between Specialized and Stumpjumper, if any? Don't they both have a swoopy "S" as their logo, so they must be the same brand.

Stumpjumper/Rockhopper/Hardrock are mountain bike models from Specialized.

ty

OP, whatever you do, get rid of those yellow tires.

Send 'em my way...

I originally posted the emails but after a conversation with the gentleman I was having the orginal conversation with, he wished that this post be deleted due to personal reasons. I must defer to his wishes and have done just what he asked.

Sorry folks

I am still up in the air about it all. Great advice from all and I appreciate it. My wife says to keep it as it sits, but the saddle, seat post and, Aero brakes are not original. The saddle was always going to move, and the brake handles may as well, I dunno, maybe not.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I think if you cannibalize it, you have to eat it.

fas2c, may be you can help me out. I have a red 83-84 Allez with Superbe (not 3Rensho). Any idea who designed it and built it? Based on the built characteristics, I am pretty sure it was built by Miyata.