avoidableNAIL

So I have a 2010 Specialized Allez Sport (specs found here). Should I upgrade the components and the cockpit/wheels or should I invest in a whole new bike? I'm 6'2" and 212 pounds so I have some weight to be lost but I'm looking to upgrade.

If I were to upgrade components I would start with upgrading the wheel set to Mavic or Fulcrum in the $1000 price range and then the group set to SRAM Force 22. Later I would upgrade the cockpit to either all carbon Specialized or 3T Team Stealth. With everything added up it would be around $3500 after a fitting and labor and such.

If I were to get a new bike it would probably be the Specialized Venge Elite Rival HRR for around $3300.

So the real question would be do I want a new carbon aero frame with an okay group set and a sub-par wheel set, or do I want my aluminum Allez with a great set of components and a pretty good wheel set?

Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

carpediemracing 

First comes fit. Make sure things fit, so the frame, stem, bars, seatpost (for saddle setback), saddle.

After that I'd recommend getting good wheels for your purposes, i.e. that you'll use regularly.

In terms of upgrading if you're replacing anything other than fit-related stuff or wheels generally speaking I'd get a bike. Buying cranks or derailleurs or shifters costs a lot and has very little return.

There are "situations" where things can work out but the above is a good general approach. If you can get the group for next to nothing (say you buy a SRAM Force bike, sell off the frame, fork, wheels, cockpit/fit stuff, and you end up paying $50 for the Force group) that would be worth it, but it would take a long time etc etc. I had a similar situation - I wanted a frame that was not available for a bit. Therefore I lined up some prospective buyers and bought a complete bike. I sold the pedals and seat post to two different people, then sold the rest of the build kit to someone who was looking at replacing most of the drivetrain (they had a worn drivetrain - chain, cassette, chainrings - and they also wanted to replace the wheels). Everyone got stuff at well below retail and even wholesale. I paid, net net, I think $100 for my frame/fork/headset. It took a month or so to get all that done and I drew on literally hundreds of contacts to sell off the parts. I also spent 8-10 hours disassembling the stuff, installing it on the other bike (which had to be disassembled), and doing some fit stuff.

squatchy

Your planning on dumping way to much into that bike. I think you should just get something new and sell the Allez

taJai

I'm in the same boat. I've been riding an '09 Craigslist Trek 2.1 for a couple years and want to upgrade, but it only makes sense (for my broke a$$ anyway) to only do it when stuff breaks. A new bike could come with a new warranty, free tune ups and will probably only cost slightly more than buying all new components (and you can finance!). Unless of course you get deals on used stuff as has been mentioned.

At least that's what I'm telling myself.

WestPablo

Everybody upgrades to some extent. Just gradually upgrade, starting with the wheels. Then when you've reached your target weight, celebrate by selling the Allez and buying the new Venge Elite.

CoachManny

Good tip!

This is the way I would go.

Manny

Cyclelogikal

Both! Stimulate this economy my friend! I do have a question............can you put a 22 spd groupo on a 20 spd and it work or would that neccesitate a definite wheel change on the hub to accommodate it??? I ask because I am not toally sure.

milkbaby

I would buy a new bike and leave the old bike as is except maybe upgrades as things break or wear out. You can keep the older bike as a backup, rain, or commuter bike.

RollCNY

Unfortunately, none of us knows your psyche, so no one can say what will sit best with you.

If you tweak and optimize every detail, and would do the same thing with a new bike, then just upgrade your old.

If you have done nothing to your current, and would no nothing to the new, then buy the new one and ride it as is.

If you believe that you will be faster on the new bike, buy it some place with a good return policy.

If you are lusting for specific wheels (like Boyd Vitesse wink wink nudge nudge), then buy them in an 11 speed hub, use them on your current bike, and move them to a new bike in the future.

Money spent on wheels, saddles, and pedals is perfectly transferrable, so there is no monetary reason to not have exactly what you want in those. Unless you don't have the money, which would be a monetary reason.

avoidableNAIL

Im pretty sure you cannot use a 20 wheel on a 22, but you can use a 22 with a 20.

UtahRider

Good advice. It's always nice to get a new bike though.

Dave Cutter

What he said.

kleng

Just get the new venge, you'll eventually be heading in that direction anyway

Smokehouse

I agree.

The Allez sport is a fine frame...but it is a lower end frame. Imagine it as a V6 Mustang and you're talking about putting racing components on it. It would probably be wiser to start with a better car to begin with. To add to that, the Venge and Allez really are different beasts...if you're craving the ride of the Venge, there's little you're going to do to a Allez to make it perform like one. Having spent time on many of them...the Tarmac is a bit more snappy than the Allez...and lighter too. A top end Allez (different frame than the sport) can be set up to pretty much play like an alu version of the Tarmac. The Venge, on the other hand, is a different bike entirely.

Either way, plopping top end components on an entry frame isn't really the best idea. Especially if you want something totally different in the first place. I'd go with the Venge and save the Allez for a beater bike...