LBS has limited offerings (that’s really an excuse for a limited price range). I keep coming back to the Allez. How does this bike do when set up for time trailing? Seems like a lot of bike for the money, but I wobnder if the the road geometry might become a limiter while time trialing. Test rode one the other day and was quite pleased. The BB is way in front of the tip of the seat, and I’m not convinced “tweaking” can overcome this design.
Look to do longer races. HIM and IM.
Thanks,
Chris
I have an allez elite and I love it. A great road bike and a great bike for the $$$ in my opinion, esp since this year’s frame is last year’s (basically) Allez Comp frame - a $2400 bike. However, on the TT question, I’m not sure. One thing about the Elite compared to other similarly priced road bikes that I found when shopping was the top tube is shorter, or at least the real length to the drops is, so it’s more comfortable getting more aero and you’re not as stretched out. This was a big plus to me since I have slightly longer legs and shorter torso than normal.
I also have similar race ambitions. I think it’s possible to make this a decent bike for that; I’ve gotten a fitting and slid the saddle forward a bit, replaced the stock stem w/a shorter one, put on shorty aero bars that are basically just as far out as the drops. It’s pretty comfortable.
However, as I’m sure many ppl on this board will tell you, there’s only so much you can do to a road bike to truly adopt it for tri’s, etc. I think the Elite does better than most road bikes in this regard, but there are still some compromises. I love mine dearly but I’m still thinking of getting a Cervelo for racing.
I have one also. Use it for some training as well as a few group rides. The components where the selling point for me. I don’t think the head tube is low enough for me to set it up as a TT/Tri bike. However, it may work for you.
My wife has one. Good road bike but maybe not the right bike for what you are talking about.
i suggest you look at the allez cro-mo. my daughter has one of these . . . it is a bit of an under the radar bike, but superfine. sweet columbus foco tubing, sloping tt design, crisp panel paintjob, nice touches like headtube collars, etc. . there have been numerous great steel allez’s, dating back to the original one seen in 'breaking away" - the latest allez-cro-mo carries on that fine tradition. truth be told it is a kick-ass road bike by any standard, and pretty much blows the aluminum one away.
Sounds like I have the same ‘aero’ set-up as nycowl. I also love the bike, mine is the 2004 model. A friend of mine just purchased the 2005 model and it seems to have a ton of upgrades.
Last year I rode the allez elite with a forward seatpost and longer aerobars. I found that I was in a good aero position, however the handling was terrible. I had way to much of my weight over the front wheel. So this year I’m trying the regular seatpost with the seat pushed forward and some oval slam short aerobars. I find that the handling is better, but I’m not as comfortable as I was with the forward seatpost. It will probably take some time to get used to this ‘slamed’ position.
Super helpful. I am inclined to go with the Allez. In addition to this thread, I’ve read elsewhere that getting a saddle that can move forward and aft, as well as adjustable clip ons is about the best way to go.
One more test ride next week.
Cheers,
Chris
Yeah. Such a setup is working well for me so far. One thing to watch out for (there’s another post on this higher up) is how it’s a little tricky to get clip on bars on 31.8 bars (which is what the Elite has) because of how they taper off. I sort of solved this by putting the bars as close up to the stem as possible so there’s not much taper and putting the shims in to close up the space, but it may be advantageous to have 26 bars that don’t taper. However, I’m not sure how much you’d have to pay to make this switch on the Allez and whether it’s worth it.