I'm looking to treat myself with a real nice road bike. This is for commuting but I still want an out an out racer, selling my old road bike will fund a grotty weather bike. I've been looking at the Specialized Allez Expert, so around the 1300 quid mark I suppose. But it doesn't have to be new, though 2nd hand I'd spend less for the same kind of spec. Ultegra minimum and a less harsh ride than full aluminium so carbon forks front and rear and ali mix, or full carbon (though not at my budget I guess). I won't be plumping for anything fast, but want to get it spot on and grab the right thing at the right price ready for next spring. Commute is 12 miles per day, and I don't think I'd do more than 20 with a job change. Security wise, parking is next to my desk. All it has to do is put a big smile on my face. Advice and recommendations welcome.
I'm looking to treat myself with a real nice road bike. This is for commuting but I still want an out an out racer, selling my old road bike will fund a grotty weather bike. I've been looking at the Specialized Allez Expert, so around the 1300 quid mark I suppose. But it doesn't have to be new, though 2nd hand I'd spend less for the same kind of spec. Ultegra minimum and a less harsh ride than full aluminium so carbon forks front and rear and ali mix, or full carbon (though not at my budget I guess).
I would have thought the above criteria would have you looking at the Specialized Roubaix rather than the Allez Expert.
Quoted message said:
I won't be plumping for anything fast, but want to get it spot on and grab the right thing at the right price ready for next spring. Commute is 12 miles per day, and I don't think I'd do more than 20 with a job change. Security wise, parking is next to my desk. All it has to do is put a big smile on my face. Advice and recommendations welcome.
A friend of mine uses a secondhand Colnago as his big grin bike. With a bit of fettling and an STI upgrade it has turned out very nice indeed and cost a lot less than most people would expect. It's a ten-or-so year old steel frame with 600/Ultegra bits on it and the grin factor comes from the superb handling, despite it being quite flexy by modern standards. I'm biased toward building my own bikes from Terry Dolan frames like those you can see here: http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com The CS probably fits your spec. Talk to them about what price they could do a full carbon bike for if you're interested, as I reckon I could build a Hercules or Excalibur for something in the same ballpark as your budget.
I'm looking to treat myself with a real nice road bike. This is for commuting but I still want an out an out racer, selling my old road bike will fund a grotty weather bike. I've been looking at the Specialized Allez Expert, so around the 1300 quid mark I suppose. But it doesn't have to be new, though 2nd hand I'd spend less for the same kind of spec. Ultegra minimum and a less harsh ride than full aluminium so carbon forks front and rear and ali mix, or full carbon (though not at my budget I guess). I won't be plumping for anything fast, but want to get it spot on and grab the right thing at the right price ready for next spring. Commute is 12 miles per day, and I don't think I'd do more than 20 with a job change. Security wise, parking is next to my desk. All it has to do is put a big smile on my face. Advice and recommendations welcome.
