Specialized Allez Elite

So it's perfect in the wet weather. When the conditions aren't ideal, you still be able to have full control over the bike. They'Ve also got quick-rel...

This is the Specialized Allez Elite. Now Specialized claims that this is the best bike you can buy for a £1000 and based purely on looks alone. It's c...

Because I was convenient to a bike shop and because I'd had to do a roadside tube replacement just a week earlier (puncture), I turned the job over to the professionals. This is an Allez Elite road bike on Roadsport 700-26c clincher tires labelled "Pressure 100-125.".

I was lucky to spot this Specialized Allez minutes after it got posted and picked it up this afternoon. Such a noticeable upgrade on my very first ride. Shoutout to everyone at /r/whichbike who helped me filter through good and bad deals and encourage me to get this one.

So I am finally in a position where I can replace my 2012 Specialized Allez Elite. It has served me well but it is time. I am currently registered to do IMMD and Eagleman this year, both of which are super flat and windy and I have done on my roadie. I was heavily considering getting a Tri bike as my next bike, but I moved last year and now I live a more hilly area.

I gave it a test drive and man was it love at first ride. I rode around the block and it was mesmerizing.

I had a Specialized Allez with 23mm tyres. My Garage got broken into and it got stolen so I bought a Cannondale Topstone 2 with 40mm tyres and a Redshift stem, based off comfort alone I dont think I could go back to my road bike. Like you said I spent more time constantly scanning ahead for anything that will make me fall off; meanwhile my gravel bike I don't watch for anything and got to do a cool gravel ride this week where I rode through a wetlands and saw Kangaroos, Swans and Pelicans - something I'd never experience on my Roadie.

Ultegra (basically a lighter version of 105, pretty unnecessary especially for a first bike). Dura-Ace (This is way too expensive don't even bother lol). Tiagra is an amazing entry point if you really think you will stick with it, same with 105 if you can find one cheap enough used. Specialized Allez is a GREAT entry level bike, but really most major brands will have an amazing entry level bike from 800-1200 dollars.

For instance today I averaged 20.8 for 33 miles of a 50 miler, then we hit a nice uninterrupted straight, then held it at 24 and that was it for me could not get back up there. I am pretty sure my issue is that I'm am muscling through that first 35, and have nothing left once the muscles are done. I usually finish with a 60 something cadence, so I know I'm just grinding to hold 22+ speed, when I try to spin I just start gapping and my heart rate goes through the roof. For reference I've been riding about 10 months, I'm a big guy for cycling (6'0, 215) and I'm on an aluminum bike with 105 and everything is stock (Allez Elite).

Around the town it's pretty good. Even though it has suspension I still find its not as comfortable as my regular road/commuting bike without suspension. I've not needed to use it as a regular commuting bike. But have done around that kind of distance (~20km).