Upgrading A Specialized Allez

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

Hi its my first post on the forum so I hope someone answers!! I have a 2013 Specialized Allez Sport (A1 aluminium not E5) and I want to turn it into a race machine (sort of). The bike is completely stock except for a few items:
Frame: Specialized Allez A1 54cm with FACT carbon fork and alloy 1 1/8'' steerer and crown
Wheels: Axis Classic
Groupset (incl brakes): Shimano Sora
Stem: M-Part (around 70mm I think)
Handlebar: Specialized CX Comp Shallow Bend (42cm)
Handlebar Tape: Specialized S-Wrap
Saddle: Specialized Riva
Seatpost: Specialized Sport Alloy
Pedals: Look Keo Easy
Spacers: Alloy 20mm

Would ideally like to get it down to 7-7.5kgs. I think the bike is between 9 and 10 kgs right now so it is not the lightest! Please no one say buy a carbon bike instead because I have my reasons. Any advice is greatly appreciated and any questions I am happy to answer within means.
Thanks,
James

dudemanppl
Posts: 1263
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 5:09 am

by dudemanppl

Whats your budget?

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

A bit tight! I'm thinking around 1000-1500 pounds

User avatar
Frankie - B
Admin - In the industry
Posts: 6573
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 8:17 am
Location: Drenthe, Holland

by Frankie - B

I'd start off with the groupset and wheels. A 105 or Ultegra group will set you back roughly 500 pounds, some proper hadbuild wheels, about the same. then you still have 500 pounds to smash on the seatpost, stem and bars. woudln't it be easier to buy a new bike?
'Tape was made to wrap your GF's gifts, NOT hold a freakin tire on.'
If you want to see 'meh' content of me and my bike you can follow my life in pictures here!

JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

In some ways yes but meant to have a durable frame and I'm 16 so haven't quite finished growing. Could you recommend any good aero wheels at this kind of price

User avatar
Frankie - B
Admin - In the industry
Posts: 6573
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 8:17 am
Location: Drenthe, Holland

by Frankie - B

I'd skip the aero wheels in that price range and go for a hand build wheel like this:

https://youtu.be/t33NVHReU0c
'Tape was made to wrap your GF's gifts, NOT hold a freakin tire on.'
If you want to see 'meh' content of me and my bike you can follow my life in pictures here!

Hastur
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:45 am
Location: SWE

by Hastur

I've just sold my 2012 Allez due to upgrading to a Tarmac. Enjoyed it really much! Wheels are a bit on the heavy side, so I would replace them, another groupset and perhaps seatpost is also a good idea. Does the stock saddle suit you?

Svetty
Posts: 539
Joined: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:06 pm
Location: Yorkshire - God's Own Country

by Svetty

As we are entering autumn there are likely to be decent deals on new bikes soon. Keep your old one as a winter/training bike and get something like a CAAD 12. It's still alloy so not a disaster if you were to crash it..........

JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

Frankie - B wrote:I'd skip the aero wheels in that price range and go for a hand build wheel like this:

https://youtu.be/t33NVHReU0c

What about bora one 50s? They're about a grand or mavic cosmic pro carbon? They seem OK. I was thinking of getting a mix of ultegra, 105 and FSA group set maybe some parts second hand as I know people who that has worked for. Any thoughts?

JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

Hastur wrote:I've just sold my 2012 Allez due to upgrading to a Tarmac. Enjoyed it really much! Wheels are a bit on the heavy side, so I would replace them, another groupset and perhaps seatpost is also a good idea. Does the stock saddle suit you?

Will definitely replace the saddle! Was thinking an aliante

User avatar
vejnemojnen
Posts: 406
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:11 pm

by vejnemojnen

for that money, you could just sell the whole bike and get yourself a rose or canyon with better equipement, or, a radon :)

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/rado ... /wg_id-111

JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

vejnemojnen wrote:for that money, you could just sell the whole bike and get yourself a rose or canyon with better equipement, or, a radon :)

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/rado ... /wg_id-111

Yeah I've looked at canyon and rose but unfortunately my dad has said I can't get one of them but that I can upgrade my current bike. I don't think that it's too bad cos at my cat there are crashes so my bike should be able to survive them. Plus if I upgrade stuff on this bike he's said I can buy a new frame next year.

mimason
Posts: 654
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:43 pm
Location: Florida

by mimason

That's $2k and for that I can find an under 6.8kg lightly used bike and skip the whole upgrade path. I bet if you look around you can do the same.

edit; I just read your last post. nevermind. How about SRAM Force and some light wheels.

JamesGRC
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:13 pm

by JamesGRC

I am toying with the idea of SRAM force but I personally prefer shimano and most people I know who've tried it have gone to shimano but is is a little lighter than ultegra. I know I said I wanted 7kgs but I really like aero wheels now! Any thoughts on these:
[url][/url]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/token-c50-full-carbon-clincher-wheelset/
[url][/url]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fulcrum-red-wind-50-xlr-cult-clincher-wheelset-1/
[url][/url]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fulcrum-racing-quattro-carbon-clincher-wheelset/
[url][/url]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-bullet-ultra-50-cult-bright-label-carbon-wheelset/
[url][/url]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-bora-one-50-tubular-road-wheelset/
[url][/url]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-dura-ace-9000-c50-clincher-wheelset/
I know there's a lot there haha

User avatar
lrdunc
Posts: 340
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 4:45 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

by lrdunc

I had a 2014 Allez Sport with 9-speed Sora. I'm on a different bike now, but I upgraded to 105 5800 before I got the new frame. The difference between the two groups is pretty astronomical, in my opinion. I've ridden Ultegra 6800 and Dura Ace 9000 (both mechanical) and so understand that they're "better", but honestly, 105 5800 is a massive upgrade over Sora. I would definitely put that toward the top of your list.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply