dk2ck

Hey guys,

I hate to ask the "Is _______ better than _______?" question, but I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I've been looking around for my first road bike (I have a fixed gear that I've put many miles on), and I've found decent deals for older Specialized S-Works E5s (2004-2005), which I've heard a lot of good things about. However, I found a few good deals on the 2011 Specialized Allez.

I guess my question is, if similarly priced, which is the better buy?

Thanks for the help.

kylemau

Can't comment on the newer Allez's...but I just built an 04 E5 this week and it's a pretty sweet ride so far. Definitely smooth for an alu frame, and plenty stiff. Gonna be a great crit bike for me. Are the E5's you're considering coming with newer groupsets?

Here's a pic of the build, too.

PhotoJoe 

Which Allez. It's offered in A1 or E5. I think around here, both E5's are highly regarded. I seriously doubt the new A1 Allez would come close to either E5. I've never ridden any of them, but from what I've read.

ColinL

The Allez comp, evo and osbb bare frame are still E5 aluminum.

Bacciagalupe

The Apex, Comp and EVO all use E5. Last year's Elite used E5 as well.

The tech trickles down, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if a 2004 S-Works E5 is nearly identical to a 2012 Apex or Comp.

I'd go new. YMMV.

sqroot3

more than likely, the op is debating between a 2011 allez a1 build and an 04-05 e5 build, as these are at the same price point. the recent higher-end allez (comp, evo), which use e5, are quite a bit more expensive.

anyway, i've ridden both. go with an e5 frame, the 04-05 sworks if you must. the a1 is too flexy, even for beginners. (and the sworks logo gives you street cred )

dk2ck

I was looking at an A1 Allez frame. Are the E5 frames that much stiffer than the A1 frames?

Thanks for the advice!

ColinL

A lot stiffer. The osbb frame is cheapish-- $699 with fork, or thereabouts.

dk2ck

I found an 2011 Allez Double for around $600 complete. Is this a decent buy versus an S-Works E5 ~$900 (seems like they're usually old Ultegra groups)? I don't know if I'll really be able to flex either frame, I'm a lightweight (124 lbs).

Thanks again for the help! Sorry for all of the questions.

sqroot3

i would strongly recommend an s-works built up with an ultegra group over a newer allez double for the following reasons:
1) yes, you will be able to flex the frame, and not in a good way, particularly after riding seriously for a few months. hell, if you're a fixie rider now, you may already have quads respectable enough to push the limits of the frame
2) the ultegra components, even if well-used, are just nicer than the sora components. shifting is crisper, braking--even with crappy pads--is far superior. if this is your first bike with sti and you're used to friction downtube or stem-mounted shifters, the sora shifters will amaze you, but once you've felt ultegra, you won't want to turn back.

again, yes, these differences are noticeable to even a beginner.

BestSportEver

Pay attention to where it states "same torsional stiffness as the S-Works SL3"

Read this:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road

Buy this:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road

I would rather buy a new Allez Evo (which is way better than the old S-Works Allez) than a used ... well, anything aluminum.

X-LinkedRider

The big differences between the older E5 S-works frames and A1 Standard frames was about a lb in weight, some torsional stiffness and the aero styled seat tube. Essentially Ravenmore's Allez is a lb lighter than my allez if it was build exactly the same component wise.

X-LinkedRider

The component differences are noticeable, more in the feel than the actual function. The frames difference is only noticeable if you own BOTH frames and ride them both. I will say, unless you are buying high end, Specialized is starting to lose it's pi-nosh in regards to quality and uniqueness. I love my allez as the backup road bike that it is. But I wouldn't buy a new allez over a couple of other new bikes in the price range.

hyhuu

I don't what you mean a function is but in my experience riding a 6600 and Sora, the first is 10-speed and the latter is 9-spped. In addition, Sora does not shift well under load.

X-LinkedRider

By shifting Well, you mean not as smooth and louder correct? Or do you mean it actually didn't shift or jumped chains/cogs often. Because I did not find that at all. But I do agree, there is a difference. I'm not saying I would have understood the difference 6 years ago when I was a toyal noob however.

dk2ck

I'm a little confused--it seems like there's a lot of contrasting information. I am under the impression that the new Allez Comp and Evo have tapered headtubes and are marketed as having the same stiffness at the Tarmac SL3. In practice, is this true? And the other Allez models (Double/Triple/etc) don't have the tapered headtube--does this really make them that much less stiff than the Evo/Comp?

The main reason why I'm tempted to get a lower model 2011 Allez is because I may have found an Allez Double for ~$550. But if there are better buys...

X-LinkedRider

Bingo

dk2ck

So in practice are they not comparable?

Bacciagalupe

dk2ck, what is your budget, and how much do you ride, or plan to ride?

dk2ck

@Bacciagalupe: Being a college student, the cheaper the better. Ideally I'd like to keep it around $1000 for a complete bike--however, I don't mind upgrading things over time. I guess the important thing is that the frame is good enough to warrant upgrading over time. I ride ~70 miles a week (mainly on weekends), and I would use the road bike for commutes as well.

X-LinkedRider

They are all comparable.

Bacciagalupe

For 70 miles or less a week, you aren't going to notice the difference between frames. Stiffness also isn't likely to matter.

I wouldn't buy used unless you already know a lot about bikes and bike maintenance. You could easily wind up with one that doesn't fit and requires a lot of repairs. When you get a bike from the shop, they'll give you a basic fit and usually a year or so of maintenance.

You'd be fine with an entry-level bike like the Allez Compact, Trek 1.1 etc or maybe bump a level up. You might also want to look into a slightly more relaxed and commuter-friendly bike like the Secteur. They're a little more comfortable, have rack mounts, and can fit fenders and/or slightly wider tires.

When you're out of school and you have a job, and if you still like cycling, you can get something snazzy and keep the entry-level bike as a commuter and backup.