Does anyone think that a Sora Groupset on an OCR3 will be enough for some serious training? I'm looking to take up the sport in the future maybe but want to buy a bike now that would give me a chance to go in some social racing. I wont be doing anything to serious but would I be better looking at a higher spec Giant like OCR2 for durability and competitiveness?
I had an OCR2 (2002 I think) with Sora, it was a good bike to get back into riding after some years - but then I changed bikes with Campy Veloce, and now I'm using Shimano 105, but this is the hightest I've ever gone - but I think the 105 is definately much smoother than Sora, and the Campy was excellent as well. So yes, if possible I would go a little higher up, you'll want to in a few months if you don't do it now.
What's an example of a bike that has a "really good frameset" but comprimises with an average groupset? I'm guessing that groupset would be a Sora?
A really good frame won't be equipped with Sora. The only way to get that would be to build it yourself, which probably isn't worth it until you have been riding for quite some time and know EXACTLY what you are looking for in a bike. But by then it won't be Sora.
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If I was to go the more direct route like an OCR1, which is probably an easier option for a beginner to the world of road cycling, do you have any other recommended alternatives in a close price bracket? I have heard that the Specialized Allez is a good purchase as well...but I haven't been able to find a LBS that stocks their range. I'm hearing that it is probably a good idea to keep in contact with your LBS and form a relationship. Utimately which will benefit both parties🙂
Yes, Specialized makes a good bike. I have 2 of them. One is a 2003 Allez Sport that is equipped with Tiagra. It is one of my favorite bikes to ride. The other Specialized bike is an '04 Sequoia Elite that has 105. It's a fun bike to ride too but for some reason I've grown to like the Allez Sport a little more. I bought the Allez Sport used and intended to sell it after a year or so but have somehow gotten attached to it and don't know if I want to sell it now.
The AL OCR1 and the Allez Elite are competitive bikes. However, the OCR1 offers a little more bang for the buck component wise and is $200 cheaper (MSRP) for the tripple.
The expensive bit in any groupset is the STI brifters. Right now you can get 105 brifters (9spd) from Nashbar or Performance for $149. Couple this price with an easily obtainable 10% off code and you are now paying $134.95. This is a great bargain for the performance. See what the best deal you can get on Ultegra 9spd brifters is. I just (today) put together a bike with brand new Sora shifters and, while they get the job done, they are nowhere near the performance and smoothness of the 105's. This is a "no-brainer" in my opinion. Get the 105's (= a pretty damn good bargain at this point in time). Cost for a shop for 105 brifters right now is ~$170.
A good, current 10% off code from Nashbar (until 6/14) is W215.
The expensive bit in any groupset is the STI brifters. Right now you can get 105 brifters (9spd) from Nashbar or Performance for $149. Couple this price with an easily obtainable 10% off code and you are now paying $134.95. This is a great bargain for the performance. See what the best deal you can get on Ultegra 9spd brifters is. I just (today) put together a bike with brand new Sora shifters and, while they get the job done, they are nowhere near the performance and smoothness of the 105's. This is a "no-brainer" in my opinion. Get the 105's (= a pretty damn good bargain at this point in time). Cost for a shop for 105 brifters right now is ~$170.
A good, current 10% off code from Nashbar (until 6/14) is W215.
Excellent point. I scored some Ultegra 9 speed shifters for something like $135 or $140 through Nashbar when they had one of their "add 5 items to your cart for 20% off" deals combined with a coupon. Even though the future is 10 speed, for that kind of price I'll live in the past a little while longer. No problem.
Contrary to most, I recommend using sora. Yeah its more fragile and doesn't arouse envy from your buddies, but who cares. Ride it until it breaks, then you will know how much it takes and will consequently now if the riding you do will be worth the upgrade. Out of my many bikes, I purchased one from bikesdirect, and it came with sora. I've put over 1k miles on it and have not been particularly careful with it and nothing has failed to function satisfactorily. I have not regreted not spending more on the upgrade. I bought a mercier galaxy, it came with [censored] wheels so I upgraded to open pros. They use kinesis frames, which supply to many big companies. All for about 500 us $. The spamming they do on the forums is quite irritating though..
I hope I'm not too late to chime in on this thread. I saw that you were considering the Allez and looking for some info. I ride an '05 Allez Elite. I did quite a bit of research before I bought this bike and found that most everybody recommends (unless you don't put much force down) that one should at LEAST purchase components on par with the 105 quality level. I am 6'4" and I know from the mountain biking experience that I had before buying the roadbike that a lot of force coupled with componentry that can't take it = dropped chains and a general lack of fun. So, I could readily justify to myself that spending at least 900 bucks on a bike would be acceptable. I would also recommend staying away from a triple unless you know how to maintain it. More gears = more things to go wrong. I bought a triple and am regretting it because I hardly ever use the lower gearing. On to the Allez's ride quality. I was very pleased with the sharp handling of this bike. My LBS let me test ride a few other bikes at the time of purchase and none felt quite as responsive in that price range. Besides, the frame is very high quality and the welds are beautiful. The carbon fork and the zertz fittings absorb a lot of the road's bumps and vibrations. The one thing I can complain about is the wheelset. The Alex front wheel is a little sloppy and lacking in rigidity, but otherwise this bike is a steal. I bought mine for about $950 USD after tax.
I highly recommend this bike for an entry level person looking to participate in some local races or charity rides and train seriously.
I hope I am not too late to chime in to this thread... I did quite a bit of research before purchasing my 05 Allez Elite last August. I found that the general consensus is that if you plan on putting down any serious power, then it is almost a must to have a grupo that can take the strain. 105's are the first Shimano group that will handle a good pounding. About the bike: My LBS and I tested out a couple of bikes before I decided to go with the Specialized. I tried a Giant and a GT and didn't like the way either of these rode. I think that my preference for the Specialized feel came from my mountain biking history with 2 previous Specialized mtb's. At any rate, the Allez felt more comfy than the others and it seemed to handle much better. The Allez is a great entry-level bike for under a grand (mine was 950 out the door). I have since put about 3000 miles on it and maintain it meticulously. My only complaints are the wheelset, which is kind of mushy and the brake pads (which i switched to DuraAce). I can't even imagine what a set of Rovals would feel like?!!! 😄
But I digress, the frame on the Allez is beautiful (I bought the red/white combo). All of the welds have beautiful beads and the zertz fittings in the carbon fork and seat post seem to absorb a lot of vibration. I plan on upgrading to ultegra componentry in the future. I hope this review helps you out...go Specialized!
I had looked at a Allez and asked anyone if they had riden one, and how they liked it in comparison to other bikes of a similar price range. However as of yet nobody can tell me anything about the bike🙁 . Though I have been considering it because the componentry seems good for the price bracket. I just hope that doesnt mean they've cut corners on the frame😕 .
The specialized allez frames are some of the stiffest/ strongest frames in the world I am not kidding you. Very light aswell! If you could score an allez with 105 you have got an awesome racing bike...once you get to 105 the shifting is only a tad worse compared to other high end components except it is more durable. Obviously heavier aswell except I doubt many ppl could notice :p
Seeing as though you are from australia I know that avanti frames are available to you. Check them out they are GOOD! I have an avanti vivace with tiagra and it has done the job extremely well for me. I am investing in a cannondale r800 eventually for racing alone and I will train on the vivace. No doubt you will get to a point where you want a faster bike for racing but with the allez all you need to do is swap the componenents around! Probikekit sell full ultegra for about $1200 and dura ace for $1400 approx, get some ksyrium elites and you have a ready made racing bike that should last you 10years minimum. But again in 10 years time you will be able to afford unobtanium anyway!!!
The specialized allez frames are some of the stiffest/ strongest frames in the world I am not kidding you. Very light aswell! If you could score an allez with 105 you have got an awesome racing bike...once you get to 105 the shifting is only a tad worse compared to other high end components except it is more durable. Obviously heavier aswell except I doubt many ppl could notice :p
I agree that the Allez is very stiff and light. I ride a 62cm and fully loaded with bottle cages and seat bag it is just a hair under 20 lbs.
About the componentry though, I am not sure if they changed to 105 for 06, but mine came w/ FSA Gossamer cranks that are not the stiffest things. When I get on them I can feel them flex...with that said, perhaps if Specialized switched to Shimano cranks for 06 then it might be better now😕
