okacookie

Hey everyone,

I am finally trying to decide on a road bike I want so I can get more out of my rides. Right now I have an old Univega that I have converted to sorta work for me. The bike is too small for me and I have messed with the seat post and bars to get it to work... It's better but still hard to ride after 10 miles...

I am looking into the Surly LHT, the Pacer, and a Spec. Allez... I was set on the LHT, but decided to stop by the LBS and they mentioned the Pacer and Allez as other options. They all seem like good bikes but it is hard to choose.

I am just getting started with riding, and I know I will be doing all my miles on the road, but I am unsure if I will be doing any overnight trips. The LBS said I should go ahead and upgrade my wheels to something a little more bullet-proof, but other than that they shouldn't need much else. I know the Allez is about $700, and the others are $1100-$1200. The one thing I am not a huge fan of are the down tube shifters on the Allez, but I guess thats something I can get use to.

I was wondering if anyone has some input on any of these bikes, or any other input that might help me decide. I am about 6'3" and 290lbs but hope to get to the low 200's in a little over a year.

Thanks,
Chris

chasm54

A lot depends on the sort of riding you intend to do. If you want to tour, or to carry a fair amount of gear on a commute, the LHT would be a good choice. You might find the relatively relaxed geometry of a touring bike to be a bit more comfortable, as well. And, of course, tourers are tough and versatile.

I have tourer, a road bike, a randonneur/audax type bike and a fixie. If I had to stick to just one of them it would be the tourer - fast enough to be fun on the road when unladen, able to handle trails as well as roads, able to carry everything from groceries to camping gear.

okacookie

Yeah I think I am going to go with the LHT... Now I just need to start saving up for it... I am hoping to get it by next spring, I will be keeping my fingers crossed.

Absenth

Between the Pacer and the Allez, you'll find the pacer has a relaxed enough geometry for full coverage fenders, and wider tires should you decide you would like them.

I purchased a LHT for myself just over a week ago. My final decision was between the LHT and a CrossCheck. Both of which would hold a rack, and fenders. Since the panniers I use to commute to work are fairly large, I settled on the LHT because of the longer stays which keeps my heel from hitting the bag.

okacookie

Well the wife and I did some more looking and the LBS also recommended the Allez sport double and the crux. The crux will be about the same price as the LHT and the Allez will come in a couple hundred under. I still have a while before we get anything but I seem to keep adding choices in and now feel like I should decide between these 3. By the time I buy one I will also be down to about 270 max. We also don't do any touring right now either, but I don't know if I should leave that open as an option. Thanks again.

CraigB

I'm surprised to hear the Allez has down-tube shifters. I don't know the bike at all, but that's just hard to believe. I'm not doubting your word, I'm just surprised. For one thing I didn't think anyone made those kind of shifters anymore, or more to the point, I didn't think anyone made plain, non-shifter brake levers anymore.

okacookie

Originally I was looking at the allez steel frame and that one had down tube shifters, but now I am contemplating the higher end models.

CraigB

Steel or aluminum (or carbon), I'm still surprised they'd have down-tube shifters. I didn't even know the parts were still available. I guess you learn something new every day.