Specialized Allez sizing

[B19GRR]

Hi all,

I'm wanting to get back in the saddle after far too long and turning in to a blob. Looking at second hand bikes in the £2-300 bracket, faves at the mo' are Giant SCR/OCR and the Spec Allez. On the Giant I know I need the large size frame (55.5cm), but I can't find any info on the Allez that relates it's compact size to traditional, I dunno if by 56cm or 58cm it means that's the traditional equivalent or not. Can't find any info on the web site.

I'm a smidge under 6'1" with 35" inseam - barefoot but not wearing padded shorts, so maybe knock an inch of for that. I should fit a 58cm trad frame, 56cm top tube.

I have thought about re-jigging my old bike which I had custom made back in the '90s but it's fairly hefty being 531 tube and I want to run a carbon fork and think it would be a shame to loose the nice chromed fork. I'd also want to change some of the mechanics. It's fitted with a Campag Athena triple, can't remember of the top of my head if it's a full Athena groupset or if I've got some Mirage stuff on it. Anyway I was cycling up in the Pennines at the time so a triple made sense, now I live in the Fens I can probably cope with a straight forward double. Seems the in thing now is compact cranks, 50/34 type gears, seems like there woud be a hell of a step changing between rings. Anyway I digress slighty

So thoughts on the Allez sizing would be great.

Cheers,
Rob

[littleandy0410]

As I see you're local to me, have a look at Grafham Cycle Centre at Grafham Water. They stock Specialized, and had 08 and 09 Allez when I was in last - a few weeks ago.

I'm 5'11" - 6' with a 33" inside leg, and a Spesh 56 was OK for me, so I would say a 58 would suit you, but worth physically trying it.

I bought a Boardman Road Comp in the end - better spec for the money new.

[B19GRR]

Thanks Andy, the Boardman does look like a good bike for the price, shame it's limited to BikeHut/Halfrauds and there's none on fleabay A quick google reveals you've literally just got yours too after a bit of a palava!

Is the Grafham place (Rutland Cycles it seems) a decent bike shop? I'm imagining it's got a more leisure/mtb feel to it as opposed to a good old lightweight specialist. I used to use Rick Green's up in Handforth (if anyone knows), cracking shop for oggling shiny bits

Cheers,
Rob

[littleandy0410]

You googled me! I don't know whether to feel honoured or violated!

Yeah, had to go to St. Albans to get my Boardman, on a friday afternoon! Not fun! The Cycle shop at Grafham is large, on 2 storeys, with loads of bikes. They have a mix of MTB, hybrid, and road, but yeah, you're probably right - the majority of the bikes are MTBs. The downstairs is full of clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. You can also hire bikes from there, but again, they're mostly MTB and kids bikes.

I figured that if you're looking at 2nd hand anyway, you could try one for size!

(Oh, and if you're not long in the shop, don't pay for parking! It's something like £4!)

[B19GRR]

littleandy0410 said:

You googled me! I don't know whether to feel honoured or violated!

Haha, I merely googled Boardman comp, and then noted on a couple of sites (including halfrauds for shame!) recent messages by a certain littleandy, so I put 2 and 2 together and think I came out with the right answer

littleandy0410 said:

Yeah, had to go to St. Albans to get my Boardman, on a friday afternoon! Not fun! The Cycle shop at Grafham is large, on 2 storeys, with loads of bikes. They have a mix of MTB, hybrid, and road, but yeah, you're probably right - the majority of the bikes are MTBs. The downstairs is full of clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. You can also hire bikes from there, but again, they're mostly MTB and kids bikes.

I figured that if you're looking at 2nd hand anyway, you could try one for size!

(Oh, and if you're not long in the shop, don't pay for parking! It's something like £4!)

£4, bleedin' hell, cheek of if! I might sneak over at the weekend if I can get away from DIY hell, leave the missus in the motor

Cheers,
Rob