Beginner with a new bike!

[SamR2D2]

Hi everyone!

Been browsing these forums for a week or so after deciding that i needed a new bike to replace my £60 BSO from a few years ago

So after reading up on here about double or triple gearing, flat or drop bars etc etc i went down to the LBS (Biketrax in brentwood if anyone from there looks on here) and ended up walking out with a deposit for a specialized allez (they only had the 27 speed in stock ) !

Just wondered if anyone who owns one has any opinions about it (changing tires or other stuff on it) also i'm thinking about switching to clipless pedals, so convince me!

Great forums you have here btw, helped me out no end when looking for a new bike (although the £500 battering my wallet just took disagrees )

 

[Dayvo]

Hello Sam!

Don't know much about the Specialized Allez, except that there seems to be a fair few here who ride/own them.

I'm from Brentwood myself (born and bred) but have spent a lot of years living/bumming about abroad.

Hope you enjoy the bike, and see if you can do the loop clockwise and anti-clockwise, down London Road to the A12, along the A12 to the Shenfield roundabout, back up to Brentwood High Street and then the reverse to where you began! Me and some mates used to do that many years ago, when there wasn't too much traffic (and NO chavs!).

 

[Dayvo]

By the way, I definitely recommend switching to clipless!

It might be best to find a comfortable pair of shoes (depending on the kind of riding you intend doing) then get suitable pedals.

 

[fossyant]

The triple will be great for a beginner - will let you get up hills easily. When you get a total loon, then switch to a double (not a compact)

All round good bikes the Allez...

Clipless - Shimano Ultegra SPD SL or Look Keo come highly recommended, or if you want to walk about, go for mountain bike SPD pedals - double sided and get some MTB shoes.

 

[SamR2D2]

The triple will be great for a beginner - will let you get up hills easily. When you get a total loon, then switch to a double (not a compact)

All round good bikes the Allez...

Clipless - Shimano Ultegra SPD SL or Look Keo come highly recommended, or if you want to walk about, go for mountain bike SPD pedals - double sided and get some MTB shoes.

http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/products/MT20_Shoes__M520_Pedals_Combo.aspx

Would these be alright? Walking around would also be a big plus

Dayvo i might have to give "the loop" at the weekend, get the bike worked in

 

[jashburnham]

Excellent choice. You must must must go clipless though:
A: Because it makes a world of difference
B: Because flat pedals on a roadie is just plain wrong!

 

[andyfromotley]

you made a good choice, i have a spesh alez and it has given me 3 years of faultless services. enjoy.

clipless yes.
upgrades - not really, it all works. If i had £200 spare i suppose i could go for anew set of wheels but honestly i think its a joy to ride. pretty well made too, i am nearly 16 stone and put in quite a few miles on it.

andy

 

[wlc1]

I use an allez to commute and as a daily bike and I do up to 38 miles a day when riding to work and also some rides on my days off.

I too have had no problems with it. Keep it well serviced and it will last years.

Clipless - do it. So much more efficient and actually not that hard to use if your new. Just remember to unclip one foot when your approaching a junction/traffic lights etc.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[SamR2D2]

I ordered that set of clipless peddles that i mentioned just before i went to bed last night, woke up and checked my email and realised i'd forgot to specify the size!

Rang up first thing in the morning, gave the order number and as soon as it came up he said "ah yes you've ordered 36's (the smallest size)" so i assume its a common mistake


Glad i went for the allez in the end, gonna take it on the 40 mile trip to uni next week and see if i can beat the train

 

[andyfromotley]

Sam -v- the train......... nice one. how long does the train normaly take?

(i like to have all of the relevant facts before i place my bets!)

 

[SamR2D2]

Sam -v- the train......... nice one. how long does the train normaly take?

(i like to have all of the relevant facts before i place my bets!)

Well i could get the mainline into london and get there in an hour and a half but i'm a cheap skate so i take the underground which, door to door take 2.30 - 3 hours

so thats about a 13mph avg speed. Place your bets

 

[dantheman]

my money is on sam.







(all the 52p i have left this month)

 

[Kennyby]

Hi new to the forum, what model of Allez do you have? my work has opened the cycle to work scheme again and i was looking at the Allez Sport or is it worth spending few more £sss on an Allez Elite.
I have a Cluad Butler hybred at the moment but want a road bike to try and do more miles and get fitter.
Thanks for any advice.
Kenny.