mshred

i'm looking for my first road bike and want something used to avoid dropping a ton of cash and then finding out i like the idea of cycling more than i actually like cycling.

i found this bike on CL and want to know your thoughts on if it is worth my $$$ and a 2 hour drive.

description from the listing:
$500
Specialized Allez 62cm frame (XXL), 700 x 23C tires, Carbon front forks, Gossamer crank, SPD pedals, 9 gear rear cassette, Shimano shift and breaks combined, new Searfas composite stem seat, new Easton lightweight drop bars, front and rear lights, Cateye Astrale 8 speedometer, two bottle cages, rear tool bag, one handle mount foldable mirror. One owner, bought new 2004 for $1,000. Due a new chain, otherwise solid equipment and well cared for.

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/spo/3774483140.html

for what it is worth - a new specialized allez compact is $770 MSRP.

thanks for the help!

canam73

That's a big boy bike. Are you tall?

jsharr

Seems like a decent price. That is an Allez Elite, so it came with Shimano 105 in 2004. The new bike you quote at $770 is Shimano Sora. If it is decent shape and does not need lots of work, $500 is okay. New chain may mean new cassette as well, so you might ask for $50 to cover that, or get pricing on new cassette and chain in advance.

mshred

yes - 6'4" w/35.5" inseam.

good info. that's the kind of stuff i dont know yet. i appreciate the help.

cyclezen

nice
I think $500 for this is fair, especially for what you get these days...
as long as chain is not stretched, cassette is good, and wheels are true.
would be a good start

zrossiter

yea figure out the cassette if its new, if not use it as a negotiating point to drop down the price. If a new one is only ~$250 more (even with the step down in components), and the bike is 9 years old you can probably talk him down a bit more. At sub $500 you get into the territory of seeing older nice road bikes, and new cheaper wanna be nice road bikes...both have their audience, this seems like a decent first ride though. Let us know what happens

Velo Dog

Is a 62 big enough for you? Of course you can ride it, but can you be comfortable for three hours? I'm your height, and rode 62s for years because that's what shops had in stock. Five years ago I bought a 64cm Atlantis, and instantly I could stay on the bike 30 percent longer.

mshred

it's a good question. i sat on a 64cm specialize secteur and was comfortable...around the parking lot anyways. i'm thinking for my purposes (exercise, commuting to work - 5m, and possibly some 20k rides with buddies) a 62cm will get the job done. if i decide i want to get more serious about cycling, i'll want to upgrade to something new and possible a more perfect fit in the future.

there honestly arent that many big bikes around for me to get an idea of exactly what i need, unfortunately.

dtrain

The wheelset is a bit of a wildcard. They are pretty low end and many sets quickly go out of true (never to be the same). Some are blessed to roll off the line with relatively even tension and last a good long time. Feel the brake tracks for grooves and give them both a spin.

mshred

How big of a concern is this? What are the chances the wheelset is in/out of true? The bike is 2 hours away, so I will have no way of checking it out in person until I have committed $50 in gas. Not to mention my knowledge of bikes is low to begin with.

I'm starting to think I may need to wait a few months until I can afford a new bike. If I end up with a used bike that needs work, I don't have the know-how or the extra cash to afford repairs.

bikemig 

I've had some bad luck with wheels not holding up well over time. Do you want a racing bike? They're fun but you may find that a touring or a cross bike is more what you want. You'll get fatter tires which are more comfortable than the 700 by 23c tires that come on the allez and the wheels are much more likely to be in good shape with fatter tires. Plus you get more forgiving gearing which may be helpful.

dtrain

I can't really tell you the odds, just giving you something to look out for. If they spin relatively smooth and true, they'll be fine as they've held up this long. The brake surface should feel mostly flat - concave grooving is a bad sign.

I think the bike is worth checking out. I'm not predicting a lemon by any means...just giving you a few warning signs that would suggest a lemon (so you don't waste money).

mshred

make sense. i appreciate your willingness to explain. i need all the help i can get!

mshred

i'm guessing most of the riding i'll do will be 20 miles max. i'm thinking i'd like a racing bike because i really want to know if it is something i could get into more seriously and...i want to go fast!

talk to me about forgiving gearing. what specifically does that mean and how would it be helpful?

thanks for your response, btw.

antmeeks

2013 Shimano Sora > 2004 Shimano 105.

If I was the OP, I'd drop the extra $270 for the new Allez and have Spesh's lifetime warranty on the frame, Shimano's warranty on the components, and whatever guarantee / free service the LBS provides with a new purchase.

Just say'n.

nastystang

Looks like price dropped to $350 according to link

cyclezen

deal! as for size, given your inseam and height, a 62 should do fine. Given a propotionate lonmg inseam, and if I was still 6', I'd ride a 58, if I was 6' 2" +, I ride 60 and 6'4", I'd pick 62... 6' 6"+, go with 64...
others may disagree, but I don;t think I'm downsizing...
The Allez has been a solid bike with solid components. I know a couple of BIG (as in heavy) boys who have been pounding their's for a number of years without any real issues...

hfinstrom

I have an 06 allez elite and I have the same wheels mine are fine. Love the bike 350 is a no brainer

mshred

i sent the guy an email. i agree - $350 is a done deal, assuming the price didnt drop because the owner realized it needs more work than just a chain replacement.

i really appreciate all the responses, gents!

antmeeks

Yes, for $350 I'd go for it now as long as the frame & components are in good shape.

Allez is a great bike. I really love my comp. Quite a few guys really like it for crit racing.

mshred

what is crit racing?

antmeeks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criterium

mshred

welp - i'm getting the bike. worked out a deal with the seller today. a buddy of mine just happens to be going to Indy this weekend and offered to pick it up for me. couldnt have worked out any better. i can't wait to start neglecting all of my responsibilities so i can go out and ride.

thanks again for all the helpful insight!

TromboneAl

That's a great deal! A perfect way to get into cycling. We got my wife's older Allez for $280 two years ago, and she loves it.