tronnyjenkins 

I'm really getting into biking... like look at the "my bikes" section... and I am thinking that since I can actually work on these things now, I would like to upgrade/crossgrade/whatevergrade my Allez Sport so it isn't so heavy. I know it's aluminum (A1 frame to be exact) and that it will never be as light as a carbon bike. However, the S-Works Allez is only 15lbs according to these guys . The frames are .3 pounds different.

What upgrades will make the most significant difference? Wheels and components?

Also, this frame is worth upgrading, right? I really like the ride. But if it doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense. I know that sometimes nickel and diming upgrades can be more expensive than just buying the whole package...

Here she is. I'm not counting water bottles, flat kit, pump. I'll need those on the 180 mile ride in April.

LarRig

Probably wheels and crank would be the best place to start taking some weight off your bike.

omarcastz

1. Hard to suggest anything if you don't give us any specs for the bike A quick google search came up with these specs.
2. It appears that the bike is pretty much stock from the picture. Is that correct or have you swapped anything?
3. Do you plan on keeping this frame for 5 for more years? Looks like this is an Allez with lower end components (not critical of it, there is nothing wrong with it per se, it is certainly a very capable workhorse and a nice bike). If you plan on getting another bike within the next 3 to five years I would say it is not worth it to upgrade. Ride this one as much as possible and save your money for a new one. However, if you plan on keeping this frame for the next 5 to 10 years (it is certainly a capable and nice enough frame) AND if you like to work on your bike as a hobby then it may be worth to upgrade components and wheels but it would not make much sense financially.

rms13

The S Works is a different frame, full carbon fork, SRAM Red (lightest groupset on the planet), 1375 g carbon wheels and carbon everything else. Your bike will not be as light as the S Works without thousands in upgrades.

It's still a nice bike. The answer most will give you is upgrade wheels. I assume the wheels on your bike are 1800-1900 grams. You can upgrade to a nicer set for around $400 that will shave about 1/2 pound off the bike. You could upgrade to 105 group for $400 or Ultegra for $600 and shave another .5-1 lb maybe? So basically it will cost the cost of the bike in upgrade to shave 1 lb most likely and only you can decide if that's worth it

Lazyass

Being a native of Euless I know you don't even have a cat 5 climb in the area so dropping weight will do next to nothing, but yeah the wheels and crank are your best bet.

Sufferage

First off, I can tell that you are really in love with your bike which is a very good thing.

However, to really lose a lot of weight off of the bike it will cost you more money than is logical. In other words it would cost so much to upgrade your current bike to get super light that you might as well buy a new bike at the same price that is lighter. Carbon frame is the biggest weight saving followed by wheels. Other wise you would be scraping a few grams off here and a few grams of there.

Im not saying you shouldn't up grade, all I am saying is to get a significant weight saving you want is not feasible.

You have Sora components on there which is nice but 105 5800 is sooooooo much better and its about $450. That will improve the feel of shifting and breaking.

Or wheels which is always a go to for upgrading and can give flat speed savings.

rms13

Actually, Ribble has 5800 for $359 with free shipping to U.S. right now. If you watch the UK sites for sales $350-360 seems to be the bottom price for 5800 the past couple of months.

Secondly, my friend actually has the previous year Allez Sport that had 8 Sora with thumb buttons. He upgraded to 5800, chinese carbon wheels, a full carbon fork, carbon post, saddle and stem. He did spend more on upgrades then he did on the bike but he loves the bike and rides the heck out of it.

Personally I don't think it's worth dropping that much for OP to upgrade and newer 9 speed Sora sans thumb buttons is much nicer then previous gen. Wheels are worth looking at for weight and a little performance gain based on stiffer wheels. Crank maybe but a newer rider probably won't notice much difference in performance. Saddle, bars, stem are always worth upgrading if it improves fit and comfort (contact points). At the end of the day, it is worth it as much as it will get you on the bike and enjoying it as much as possible. If you are already enjoying it and riding a lot and don't have any major complaints about fit/comfort you might as well spend money on a Garmin, bib shorts, jerseys etc

Sufferage

I must confess, I didnt look a prices but yeah 5800 isnt very expensive which is why I personally think it is a great option for the OP to get a new feel for his bike. Plus 5800 would give you a better cassette and a better range of gears. Its 11 speed compared to your 9.




How does your friend like his chinese carbon wheels? Ive been thinking about those myself. (dont mean to hijack the thread)

WhyFi

....which means that it's probably not going to be compatible with his existing wheelset.

Bunyanderman

Only 1060G Ultra Light Carbon Wheels 24mm Tubular Carbon Wheelset | eBay
+
2x
71032 01 New Tufo Elite Jet 160 G Tubular Road Tire 700x20 Black or Red | eBay
= Insane drop in weight, only to come and be less aerodynamic and have more rolling resistance.

mbw

My bike isn't as nice as the OP's and I am in the middle of doing something similar. Old aluminum frame, upgrading wheelset and going with 5800. I don't know that it will help with weight a whole lot. Its a 20lb bike as it sits now.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...800-105-a.html

Lots of folks said it wasn't worth the money (and lots of good advice really), but it was pretty cheap compared to a new bike so I just went for it. Refreshing it after 9 years just felt right.

rms13

Would want to be dealing with tubulars if I got a flat on the side of the road

Bunyanderman

Find some friends.

I purchases some specialized tires as my tubulars, best tire I have ever ridden on. At about 300g, I feel as if they are very solid compared to 23mm clinchers. I ride on dirt and gravel every ride (I live on it) and have been very impressed.

tronnyjenkins 

Thanks all for the great advice. It seems that I'm being a weenie about a few pounds and should just enjoy the bike for what it is right now.

Over on mbw's thread, rideBjj suggests getting some nice components and wheelset for the Trek in question, and then in a couple of years grabbing a new frame. Maybe I'll make that an option and see if the sum of the parts gets to be as much as a complete bike...

gsa103

I'll wager the stock wheels are around 2100g, Specialized always goes really cheap with wheels and ships anchors. For ~$200-$400 you can buy a wide range of <1700g wheels and drop a huge amount of weight.

rms13

Fulcrum Racing 3. 1550 g for $400 and 11 speed compatible if OP ever wants to upgrade or gets a new bike down the line


Fulcrum Racing 3 Wheels | Merlin Cycles

Stucky

You do realize that even dropping two pounds from your bike will have no noticeable benefit, but will come at great cost?

Even lighter wheels- they'll make you "feel" a little sportier/faster...but ultimately, will do nothing for you.

Just ride your bike and enjoy it the way it is. The differences are largely just aesthetic. It looks like a nice bike. Enjoy it. and save any money you would have put into it towards a new bike one day (Not that even that will make a huge difference in your riding- but the money is better spent, in that it will give you a bigger perception of change, with a whole new bike, being new and different)

rms13

I agree with his logic. If you don't have a Garmin, spend on that and a cadence sensor and maybe even power meter if you really want to spend money. Being able to track your rides and progress will make you faster

edcomp98

I have the 2014 Allez Comp Smartweld with Tiagra groupset. The Axis wheels are a little over 1900 g.

I took over 200 g off by adding new tires (from 330 g to now 225 g each tire). I am at about 19 lbs without the pedals. Next upgrade will be wheels or crank. But as of now, I am fine with it.

[h=1]Michelin Pro4 Endurance Road Tire[/h]https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_544041_-1___204729

the will not be using bottles, instead I have a camel back for water (which I find easier when riding my Road or MTB) and where I can also have spare parts and tools or just use the pockets on my bike shirt.

Before


with the tires (plus they also have them in blue to match your bike)

my bike with additional logos ( I know may be a lot for some people, but I am happy with the new look)

tronnyjenkins 

I actually do have some lighter tires on order. Should reduce 290g!

How much more would you lose if you take off those reflectors and 'dork disk'??
JK. Someone was going to say it if I didn't!
Good looking bike.

edcomp98

Not sure on the weight of the reflectors, they came with the bike, you are right, I am not feeling them much. But you also have to check with the laws on the state where you are. I am wondering if I can add some other reflector or stripes for the night.

This the law in NJ

https://www.nj.gov/transportation/com...gulations.shtm


39:4-10 Lights on Bicycles.
When in use at nighttime every bicycle shall be equipped with: 1) A front headlamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; 2) A rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear; 3) In addition to the red lamp a red reflector may be mounted on the rear.

So I guess I can take off the one on the wheels. Over all it is for safety to have them at night.

TrojanHorse

Happiness is a spare wheelset - if you really just want to treat yourself to something new (nothing wrong with that!) then get a decent wheelset and save your OEM wheels for spares.

People like to throw the term "bombproof" out there with respect to wheels but odds are that's the single component most likely to keep you from being able to ride your bike. Spares are good.

The next best thing is a whole spare bike... so when you upgrade in 3 years you can keep your Allez for spare / bad weather duty.

sam_cyclist

I do think a tires/tubes upgrade is an excellent way of saving the most important type of weight (rotating) at a very low cost. New tires and tubes will run less than a hundred dollars in many cases and save up to 3/4 lb. of rotating weight.

You could upgrade to a new groupset (5800 or 6800) and not only reduce weight, but get a couple of extra gears as well.

What is your budget btw, and what is your weight goal for the bike?

Keep in mind that a 2 lb. weight reduction may only increase your efficiency by 1% or even less, depending on total bike + rider weight.