Woohoo! My first road bike!
 

With the Tour de Cure coming up in May, I knew I had to just bite the bullet and get a road bike. I've been looking for one for a while now and decided to try a new LBS and see what they had. It turns out I went to the right place. I told them what I was looking for and they were extremely helpful. I test rode a Felt Z85, Specialized Allex, Sectuer and Tarmac. The Specialized bikes felt a little more comfortable to me than the Felt and while the Tarmac was pure awesome, it was outside my price range. I decided on a 2010 Specialized Allez Elite. I got a $150 discount and a free basic bike fitting. Overall it was an amazing buying experience.

Here are the pics:

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...2_606616_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs167...._1380879_n.jpg

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Nice bike. Turn it around if you want full credit for your pics (driveside facing camera). ;)

Fabulous looking bike - love the pedals. Now, in the words of Freddie Mercury - get on your bike and ride.

Very nice looking bike, loks fast just sitting there. I'm sure you will get years of enjoyment. I will guarantee one thing. That Tarmac will stick in your mind till you are taking a picture of it...hahaha. You do realize it's an addiction right?

Awesome....Now flip the stem.

Congrats!!! Beautiful bike!!!

I ride an Allez, myself. ;)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...202009/Tom.jpg

congrats

I don't know what flipping the stem means but I'm leaving this puppy the way it is for a while until I break it in. Thanks for the comments guys! It's going to be sunny and around 50 degrees today so me and a buddy are going on a 2 hour ride. I can't wait to get this beauty on the road.

Flipping the stem is simply removing in and turning it over to give a more aggressive (lower handlebar) riding position. Most stems are made to provide either 5-8 degrees of rise or drop depending on which way you put it on. "Flip it" is a common retort in the road forum. For we Clydes flipping it often involves some clearance (gut to knee) and flexability issues be addressed first.

Bike looks good!! Now ride it.... then flip it!:D

Nice looking bike! Now knock'em dead on the Tour.

Excellent! You guys are gonna make me get off my duff and build out my new unvailing. It does need to get done.

Don't flip the stem. It will make the bike look fast but you will be uncomfy on long rides. If you aren't racing or don't care about impressing the crowds, skip it.

I don't flip mine, I care more about being comfy on a long ride. Besides, ride time and fitness will make a much more difference in speed than flipping the stem.;)

Matter of fact, I switched the drop stem to a rise on my climbing bike. Better for those 12,000 ft climbing rides. Allows the rider to sit more upright for better breathing. Watch a Tour De France video, the best climbers aer upright while climbing. That's because it allows for better breathing. As a Clyde, do you want to hunch over more than needed while restrciting air flow? Nope!:p

If you want aerodynamics, shave your legs! :roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

Rise stem for better breathing while avoiding the backache, what will get me through the 114 miles and 12,000 ft, looking fast or efficient breathing?
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congrats on the new ride.

Not gonna argue that one should flip a stem just because it's fashionable, but I think it's a bit of a generalization to say more upright is always better. Really depends on the specific geometry of the bike (how tall is the headtube / how much drop) as well as the geometry and flexability of the rider.

Got a fit done a bit ago and they swapped my stem for 1 cm more reach and went from +6 degree (rise) to a 0 degree one (I can flip it and nothing happens except the label is upside down:p). Used to get a sore lower back and numbness in my hands, now I've never been more comfy on my bike. Fittings are a good thing.

Looks like a triple. Nice bike.. Can't beat the ride of a real road bike...

I'm not sure where I made that statement.:p I ddi throw in "being a clyde" cause I know the OP isn't an itty bitty waisted Clyde, neither am I. I was going off his previous claims of weight and such.

Sure, varies but I was suggesting in this case that the above comments of flip the stem doesn't seem neccesary in this case (this OP), not yet anyways. He may want to after more riding and more flexibilty. I never said always.;)

Also I didn't post my comments against your comments above. It was in response to the other poster that said "Awesome....now flip the stem" without any reason or consideration towards the OP. Not that there is anything wrong with flipping it to look fast.

HOLY CRAP!!!! I love this bike! I did a 25 mile ride with my buddy today. 2 things.

1) It's freaking fast! Hills seemed liked minor inconveniences rather than insurmountable. I was doing 20+ mph without even realizing it on level road and it didn't even seem like I was pedaling that hard. I'm in love!

2) Cycling shorts are the best inventions ever. My butt doesn't hurt at all.

Oh and I had my first fall while trying to clip in. This happened at the beginning too. LOL. I made sure the bike was okay.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=136498

Awesome! and welcome to the club (Brotherhood of Clipless Laugh-In Style Tipper Overers - BOCLISTO for short).:lol:

it seems we are in violent agreement.:D

You are violent like that Homey character. It's tough remaining this sweet personality at times!:p

Atleast you got your priorities straight!:D