Breadpudding

My birthday is in 7 days. My parents decided to pay for a large chunk of my new bike for my birthday, I'm gonna stop by one of the bigger shops near me tomorrow and look at the CAAD9-5 (if they have it), the Synapse 5 and the Specialized Allez Sport Compact Double. This is my first road bike ever. I rode the Allez for about 20 minutes a few weeks ago and it felt 100% right, no pressure points, perfect fit and very comfortable. I know I've already made a post similar to this so I'd like this to be VERY specific. My one problem with the Allez was with the front sprocket, it only has 2 gears instead of three. Is this going to hinder me for the future?

Second part: Should I be looking for anything specific when I finally do make my purchase, like fitting, initial setup? What things should I ask for before going through with the purchase. Any thing people have learned from experience that I may not have to learn the hard way. Thanks ya'll.

fauxto nick

Yah I bought a bike that was too big for myself a year ago, I've had a lot of uncomfortable races and rides thanks to the bad fit. My body has had to completely adapt to that bike which is never good.

As far as the the bike having two or three chainrings (more commonly referred to as a "triple" or "double". It really depends on what you want to do with the bike, are you riding a lot of mountains, are you mostly facing flats? Do you plan on racing and getting really strong, or just casually riding here and there? Typically a lot of serious riders forgo the triple due to the fact that they don't shift as well as a double and are slightly heavier (which is arguable). Triples aren't bad but for many they just aren't all that useful.

My bike came with a triple and I quickly grew tired of it, when I started racing I switched to a double (headache and a half). I now just have two different cassettes, if I'm going to be doing a lot of climbing I'll throw on a 12-26 or 12-27. I'm much happier with the double, but if you plan on doing a ton of ape **** climbing in the future you might want a triple, it can't hurt to have that "granny gear" to fall back on. Also both those C-Dales are available as triples.

As far as fit goes, you need to have the shop measure you up, set you up on the bikes and fit them to you, then you can go test them. Don't do what I did and rush in, find the best deal and not worry about taking the time to get fitted. Just because it feels right at the time doesn't mean that it's going to feel right when you start putting down more and more miles. You need to make sure the reach is appropriate for what you want to do with the bike. Also you don't want a bike that's too twitchy and stiff or inversely too soft and boaty depending on what your goals are.

I'd just avoid rushing into any decisions, I spent all year looking at new bikes and finally made my decision and ended up choosing a bike that wasn't even on my radar for my next bike (New 07' Cannondale System Six). All I was looking at was Cervelos and Looks I never would have imagined I'd go for a System Six but I love it, and after some searching was able to find the paint scheme I wanted which was only available in the 07' model. Take some time and you'll find something that really works for you.

twodimensional

No, the double is not going to hinder you in the future. If anything, as you get stronger you'll have less and less need for those low gears and start to prefer a double. You should keep in mind, though, that a lot of entry-level bikes are available with either a triple or double crankset, so if you like the allez you could probably get it with either a triple or double crankset.

fauxto nick

The only time my triple saved my ass was when I rode with UMD ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

midorix

Regarding double vs triple, the bike you're looking at (Specialized Allez Sport Compact Double) comes with Compact Cranks (50/34 chain rings) along with 12-27 cassette. This combination is more than enough to climb up tough hills and it's a good choice compared to the Triple cranks due to shifting hassel. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out the sheldonbrown.com site and it will explain what it all means.

The only drawback of compact crank is that you'll "spin out" if you go over 35 mph (typically downhill). Shouldn't be an issue unless you plan to race your bike in Criterium.

bjupton

I just picked up the Allez Sport. I too was a little concerned about the CD, but it's been great.

The sport has a 12-27 rear cassette, so your lowest gear ratio is 34-27->33.1 gear inches. Most of the triples I looked at had a 9 speed 11-25, so the lowest gear ratio is 30-25->31.5. The second largest rear sprocket, IIRC, on the triple was a 23. That gives you 34.1 gear inches in the second lowest gear.

So, essentially, the triple gets you one more lower gear, at least in the ones that I looked at. Hardly seemed worth it, especially balanced against the inherent extra complexity with the triple, not to mention the possible extra weight.

If you find that you are really needing a lower gear, then you can get a cassette for hills, but since you are young, I'm thinking that you probably won't even need that.

HTH.

bjupton

"If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out the sheldonbrown.com site and it will explain what it all means."

I should have noted that I pulled the gear inches info from sheldonbrown.com. Lots of good info there.

Breadpudding

There's going to be some big hills in my future but that's not my big plan. I mainly plan on getting fit and then moving slowly into racing. I want to do Seattle-To-Portland in '10 and do as many organized rides around the Seattle area that I can find.

bjupton

If anything, then, you might in the future want to upgrade your crankset. I think that the rest of the componentry will work with that if you were to move to say a 105 standard double (53-39), but that's in the future. I wouldn't worry about that. I think you'll be very happy with the compact double.

I also rode the Cdales, and some Treks and Fuji before settling on the Allez Sport. It also just felt right.

Have fun with your new ride!

Mr.jon

Everyone here on BF praises the caad9, so you may want to check that out. Im looking at an 08 9-5 or an 09 9-6, only difference is 250 dollars and paintjob from what i hear, but i am still having trouble making a decision.

cwathne

you're in WA? what part?

get the double, not the triple.

Allez is a sweet bike

Breadpudding

I'm sure you're opinion is completely unbiased.

Oh, and Puyallup area.

gettingold

I live in a very hilly area and love the compact. It is more than enough to tackle hills. Have fun.

mamu

I test rode a bunch of different brands mentioned here and settled on a new Allez Elite. Like you said..."it felt 100% right". It has the compact and I dig it.

gettingold

The Cannondales are nice but also take a look at the Trek 2.3. Nice bike in that price range.

rumrunn6

go for the triple crank

Breadpudding

Your overwhelming evidence has convinced me to go with the triple. I cannot find a point to argue.

rumrunn6

:-) good choice

I'll elaborate. Why have fewer choices when you can have more? I started commuting with a triple and had to switch to a double and I dislike the hills so much now.

bjupton

Run the numbers. You aren't getting that many more choices.

For the Specialized Allez Triple you are getting 1 lower gear than with the Allez Sport CD, 1!. And for that you have to move down to a Sora/Tiagra mix from 105.

Edit: Also, I'm guessing that you are significantly older than the OP. That might lead one to different conclusions.

jeanHTX

op i'm so excited for you! my birthday is coming up (well... in mid-july) and my parents have ALSO decided they'd pay for a large chunk of it if i could pay some (i'm looking at felt and cannondale). i've tried out several different bikes and fits, etc...

anyways, i think i'm going for the triple, fyi. the longer rides i want to do here in austin require a lot of climbing. i've been to portland once and i remember the terrain being similiar to austin's. *shrugs*

Breadpudding

My post with the was mostly sarcastic. Just fyi. I'm gonna go with the double. I'm more concerned about having more top end power than low end stuff actually.

Thanks for all of the advice ya'll. I'm heading to the LBS now to look at the Cannondales.

jeanHTX

what age is op?

fauxto nick

All I'm going to say about triples is nothing pissed me off more than my shift hanging up as I shifted up into my 53 to chase down a break away or sprint (and yes my damn **** was properly adjusted) because the system couldn't get a snappy shift between all gears. It always seemed to have to be set up so it either favored 30/39 or 39/53 and the 39/53 was never as snappy as the 30/39 shift.

Even when I just started the only time I broke down and got into my 30t was on climbs that were 8-9+ miles.

rumrunn6

Oops, my bad. I had no idea.

Breadpudding

no need to apologize.

Ugh! After shopping today I road a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 and now I'm hella confused.

Here's my debate:

Specialized Allez for $1300 - fits just fine, works great. loved the bike when I road it. Road it in a 54. Alluminum frame, Shimano 105 components.

Cannondale Carbon 6 for $1799 (if I buy it by sunday, it'll be ~$1500 because they have a 15% discount until the 24th). GREAT riding. carbon frame BUUUUUTT -- Tiagra and Sora components... which I really didn't wanna do.

So what would you all go with. more expensive for more frame but lesser components or good all around but with an alluminum frame?

Or of course i could go with the Synapse 5 which is alluminum and 105 components. $1329 msrp and then -15% would put it at about $1130.

Help Please!

Edit: Decided against going with the carbon fiber bike... I was happy with the aluminum to start and think i'll be happy with it later too. So now I've gotta decide between the Synapse 5 which has a triple vs. the Allez which has a double. $200 difference....(allez is more because of the cannondale sale)