new bike
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: massachussetts
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Bikes: p.o.s. but im about 2 buy a nice one
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new bike
this site has never failed me for good advice and whatnot so heres my situation. im buying a road bike (my first one, o boy!) my goal is to start racing. i only have $750 to spend on the bike. ive already gone to every local store i could find and here is what ive found: a cannondale r400, specialized allez sport and a trek 1200. all for 750. the cannondale had sora components but a good frame , the sport had tiagra components and a carbon fork but the frame wasnt as good. they said the r400 was more upgradable. the trek 1200 had a carbon fork and tiagra components. personally, im leaning more towards the trek but im open to any advice
#2
Passing!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Red Lock Trail Head, Northfield Ohio
Posts: 291
Bikes: Trek 1988-520 & 2003-7500, 2004 Specialized Allez Sport & Stumpjumper Comp
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I picked up the sport while in FL and liked the ride better than the Trek. Not sure what you mean about the frame, and I only have about 300 miles on it so far, so will decline comment accept that I am one big boy, and the ride is very nice!!
Shifts and braking are flawless, but with only 300 miles it's too early to tell. My only complaint was the wheels, and particularly the front. After about 75 miles got some "ratttle" in the front, thought it was the reflector, turned out it was spokes, tightened the loose ones to keep riding since my time in FL was limited. Asked the BS down there to check it out before they boxed it and sent it up to me. At about 200-225 miles here, the spokes were driving me INSANE. Put the whole bike on the stand, round was off, true was off, and tension was off. Rounded it off, trued it up and tightened all the spokes. Put another 100-125 on it since than without a single problem, and wheels have stayed perfect. I don't actually fault the bike, but the dealer. My local dealer would have checked the wheels better from the get go. I was itching for a TREK, since that's what I had experience with, but am VERY pleased with my Specialized, and will probably upgrade next year if this puppy holds up, meanwhile I'm going drop another 50-75 pounds with this one!
Shifts and braking are flawless, but with only 300 miles it's too early to tell. My only complaint was the wheels, and particularly the front. After about 75 miles got some "ratttle" in the front, thought it was the reflector, turned out it was spokes, tightened the loose ones to keep riding since my time in FL was limited. Asked the BS down there to check it out before they boxed it and sent it up to me. At about 200-225 miles here, the spokes were driving me INSANE. Put the whole bike on the stand, round was off, true was off, and tension was off. Rounded it off, trued it up and tightened all the spokes. Put another 100-125 on it since than without a single problem, and wheels have stayed perfect. I don't actually fault the bike, but the dealer. My local dealer would have checked the wheels better from the get go. I was itching for a TREK, since that's what I had experience with, but am VERY pleased with my Specialized, and will probably upgrade next year if this puppy holds up, meanwhile I'm going drop another 50-75 pounds with this one!
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Medway, MA
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Bikes: 2011 Lynskey Sportive, 1988 Cannondale SM400
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There is nothing wrong with the Allez frame. The bike is just as upgradeable as the others. Is the Tiagra a 9spd setup? If so, you are already ahead of the game, since everything up from there is 9 speed, while the Sora stuff, being 8 speed, will require more new parts to upgrade to 105 or above, most notably the shifters. Go with the frame that fits you the best and is the best combination of comfort and stiffness for your riding style.
#5
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Location: San Diego
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Bikes: '11 Allez Comp, '09 Pinarello Pista
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I have an allez, and there is nothing wrong with the frame. In fact the frame, fork, seatpost and seat are the only things i have not upgraded. And The allez is not hard to upgrade as all, not harder than any of the others at least. You will also be happy you dont have sora, that stuff is junk. I will recomend the sport, becuase I'm bias and i know its a good ride.
#6
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Ask them if they have any of last year's models. I was going to get a giant ocr3 with a compact frame and sora 8-speed. I ended up getting last year's ocr2 with tiagra 9-speed for $50 more.
On top of being a more lengthy and more expensive upgrade, the Sora also splits the shifters up between the brake lever and this little knob at the side of the hoods; meaning you can't usually shift in 1 direction from the drops. The carbon fork and tiagra components, IMO, put it above the cannondale.
On top of being a more lengthy and more expensive upgrade, the Sora also splits the shifters up between the brake lever and this little knob at the side of the hoods; meaning you can't usually shift in 1 direction from the drops. The carbon fork and tiagra components, IMO, put it above the cannondale.
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Bikes: Specialized Allez Sport
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Originally Posted by nick481
this site has never failed me for good advice and whatnot so heres my situation. im buying a road bike (my first one, o boy!) my goal is to start racing. i only have $750 to spend on the bike. ive already gone to every local store i could find and here is what ive found: a cannondale r400, specialized allez sport and a trek 1200. all for 750. the cannondale had sora components but a good frame , the sport had tiagra components and a carbon fork but the frame wasnt as good. they said the r400 was more upgradable. the trek 1200 had a carbon fork and tiagra components. personally, im leaning more towards the trek but im open to any advice
I too have an Allez sport ('03 model, tiagra/105), and it has been great. I have about 2500 miles ont he bike without a problem. I was deciding on bikes in the same range that you are looking at. For me, I liked the ride of the specialized more than the Trek. You should ride them and see what you think. I would not put too much weight in the song and dance about the specialized frame versus the cannondale frame versus the trek frame. Did the slaesman give you a reason for his opinion? Buy what feels best when you ride it. In the long run, the Cannondale will probably cost you more in component upgrades.
#8
Reynolds 853 Select
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: suffolk, va (usa)
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Originally Posted by nick481
this site has never failed me for good advice and whatnot so heres my situation. im buying a road bike (my first one, o boy!) my goal is to start racing. i only have $750 to spend on the bike. ive already gone to every local store i could find and here is what ive found: a cannondale r400, specialized allez sport and a trek 1200. all for 750. the cannondale had sora components but a good frame , the sport had tiagra components and a carbon fork but the frame wasnt as good. they said the r400 was more upgradable. the trek 1200 had a carbon fork and tiagra components. personally, im leaning more towards the trek but im open to any advice
Bottom line - Like others have said.. take them for a test ride and find the bike that fits you best, makes you feel like riding forever and if it is a tie breaker... maybe the bike that has the color you want could be a deciding factor...
Good luck!
#9
Closet Bike-a-holic
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I agree with the other posts and this is a subjective venture. I would stay away from Sora. Ride them and you'll be able to rule at least some of them out. Not to confuse things, BUT ... if you have a dealer near by look at the Felt F80. Tiagra/105 mix I think it's at $800 but I'm not sure. They seem to be great bang for the buck right now.
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The road don't go nowhere, stays right where it is.
www.friscocycling.com
www.hopefellowship.net
#11
Reynolds 853 Select
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Location: suffolk, va (usa)
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Originally Posted by Race Condition
I was just down at the LBS and saw a Schwinn Fastback with 105 components and a carbon fork for $749. I think that's a pretty good deal.
1993 schwinn files bankruptcy
11 Sep 2001- Court finalizes bankruptcy and the closing of Schwinn.
2001 - Present - Schwinn is now Pacific Cycle still using Schwinn name.
105 are solid components..Not familiar with the schwinn frame.
There are other bikes out there with similar components and price.. However, if you like it, thats all that matters!