Specialized Allez for Touring
03-23-09, 06:42 PM
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Specialized Allez for Touring
Hi,
I am planning to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway from start to finish (469 miles over 7 days) this June. I'm planning on using my Specialized Allez road bike. I will be carrying minimal baggage as I plan on staying in motels along the route. I figure I'll be carrying about 15 pounds of gear on the seat post rack and another 10 pounds or thereabouts in a handlebar bag.
My questions are:
1) Will my Allez be able to handle the added weight for the long ride? (I weigh about 180 lbs)?
2) Should I use a steel seat post? A guy at the LBS said that I should NEVER attach a rack to the stock carbon seat post.
3) Should I just break down and buy a dedicated touring bike like the Trek 520? However, in this economy, I'd rather not.
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!
I am planning to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway from start to finish (469 miles over 7 days) this June. I'm planning on using my Specialized Allez road bike. I will be carrying minimal baggage as I plan on staying in motels along the route. I figure I'll be carrying about 15 pounds of gear on the seat post rack and another 10 pounds or thereabouts in a handlebar bag.
My questions are:
1) Will my Allez be able to handle the added weight for the long ride? (I weigh about 180 lbs)?
2) Should I use a steel seat post? A guy at the LBS said that I should NEVER attach a rack to the stock carbon seat post.
3) Should I just break down and buy a dedicated touring bike like the Trek 520? However, in this economy, I'd rather not.
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!
03-23-09, 07:10 PM
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For one-time credit card touring of one week duration, I certainly wouldn't go buy a touring bike.
Since many Allez bikes are probably carrying 205-pound riders, it's not a lot to expect it to carry a 180-pound rider with 25 pounds of gear. What wheels do you have? Do you have the stock wheels? Is this a base model Allez? The wheels that come with the lower-level Allez bikes are not noted for being great wheels.
I can't really answer your question about the seat post. If I had to guess, I'd think that 15 pounds would not be too much for it. Just be careful how vigorously you clamp it on.
Since many Allez bikes are probably carrying 205-pound riders, it's not a lot to expect it to carry a 180-pound rider with 25 pounds of gear. What wheels do you have? Do you have the stock wheels? Is this a base model Allez? The wheels that come with the lower-level Allez bikes are not noted for being great wheels.
I can't really answer your question about the seat post. If I had to guess, I'd think that 15 pounds would not be too much for it. Just be careful how vigorously you clamp it on.
03-23-09, 07:14 PM
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As someone who's a bit above 250 and has put 1000 miles on his Allez Elite since Sept., I should say you'll be fine. If I'm not mistaken, the carbon seat posts on our Allezs are carbon wrapped and not 100% CF. I could be wrong though.
Good luck. It's a beautiful ride.
Good luck. It's a beautiful ride.
03-23-09, 08:30 PM
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H'm, someone wants to use a road bike on tour? Must be Monday. 
Yes, you will be perfectly fine. I'd get the widest tires your rim and brakes can take, for the additional comfort.
I agree with your LBS dude about the seat post rack; the main issue with carbon is that if you apply too much torque, you could potentially crack the seat post. That's why you are supposed to use a torque wrench for tightening the seat post collar with a CF seatpost. Steel or aluminum will be fine.
One thing about switching, though, is the whole "seat post grease / no grease" thing. I don't know the final verdict, but I'd just make sure to use the same grease or whatever you currently use.
Yes, you will be perfectly fine. I'd get the widest tires your rim and brakes can take, for the additional comfort.
I agree with your LBS dude about the seat post rack; the main issue with carbon is that if you apply too much torque, you could potentially crack the seat post. That's why you are supposed to use a torque wrench for tightening the seat post collar with a CF seatpost. Steel or aluminum will be fine.
One thing about switching, though, is the whole "seat post grease / no grease" thing. I don't know the final verdict, but I'd just make sure to use the same grease or whatever you currently use.
03-23-09, 09:17 PM
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As someone who's a bit above 250 and has put 1000 miles on his Allez Elite since Sept., I should say you'll be fine. If I'm not mistaken, the carbon seat posts on our Allezs are carbon wrapped and not 100% CF. I could be wrong though.
Good luck. It's a beautiful ride.
Good luck. It's a beautiful ride.
I'm going to use mine on tour this summer, since frankly, it's more comfortable for me now than my old touring bike. I'll be pulling a BOB trailer with it.
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
03-24-09, 07:54 AM
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I have an Allez I built up from a frame. I think it's the base model - all aluminum except for carbon fork, straight downtube (no aerodynamic shaping around rear wheel) no Zertz inserts. I weigh 205. I like to carry a book, a sandwich, a lock, and some tools, so I put an old Blackburn Expedition rack on it that I had around, and a Nashbar rack trunk. If I was taking a credit card tour and just carrying a few clothes, I'd use it and no worries. It would be fun to tour on it, as opposed to my LHT, which is wonderful for fully-loaded touring, but weighs a ton!
