updated: I GOT a new bike!

[chw57]

My specialized Allez was purchased for $700 in 2003. That little entry level bike got me through dozens of sprints and olys, 2 70.3s, my first century, and my first ironman. I'm kinda going to miss it.

Buuuut I'm also super excited! I'm in grad school with 2 kids in daycare so I'm going to stick to about $1600 or less, which according to my research leaves me with probably a trek Lexa or a specialized dolce. I know I need to test them both and pick whatever feels best, and I already have a couple LBSs on my list to visit.

If any of you ride either of these (or something else in that price range) I'd love to hear what made you pick your bike and what you like and don't like.

UPDATE: Sorry for the massive picture, but here's my new bike!


I decided the shop was fine... and the 52 cm Lexa felt awesome. I am sadly not out for a ride right now because I can't get the pedals off my old bike and need to wait for DH to come home and help me (I probably could have just bought new pedals, but whatever). 

sadlebred Susie and other bike people... do I want speedplay pedals? Or should I just stick with my basic SPDs?

[wawa]

I just bought the one step down from the dolce (dolce sport), and also test rode the Lexa and Lexa S (but not the one one step up from that...some other letter...that is probably what you're looking at sinceI was in the under $1000 price range)

I have nothing actually helpful to add though since I had NO IDEA what I was doing and still occasionally find myself pleasantly surprised that my bike's chain doesn't just fall off randomly like my walmart special did when I was a kid.

They felt very similar to me (I also test rode a cannondale synapse which I did not like) and ended up choosing the dolce sport simply because the shop was within walking distance of my house for easy tune-ups. I was super tempted on the Lexa though because (and this is a silly ass reason) it had prettier colors. Since I liked the actual BIKES equally, shop trumped colors. Trek also has color coordinated water bottle cages and such too. So...yeah, like I said, I'm not helpful. I just wanted to speak up just because I happened to have ridden (the cheaper version of) both of the bikes you mentioned.

[chw57]

wawa the Lexa I looked at today was SO PRETY! Glad I'm not the only one that is thinking about stuff like that!

[wawa]

Oh and fwiw the cannondale synapse wasn't a bad bike or anything (I mean...cannondale. you'd hope not) it just didn't feel right for me.

But it's in that same family with the lexa and dolce so you might want to check it out too.

[sadlebred]

You won't go wrong with either of those bikes. They are good for the price range. You already know I'll say buy one which fits the best.

[Susie]

It would not take much of a sale to get a Ruby instead of a Dolce for your $1600 budget. I would encourage you to test ride a Ruby, and see if you think it's worth trying to hunt down a sale on the right frame size. The Lexa and Dolce were high on my list when I was shopping (this was like 5 years ago now) but I test rode a Ruby and was absolutely sold. Springing for a Ruby has been a fantastic decision and bike for me, and a few thousand miles later I still adore riding that bike. It was the thing I missed most while pregnant and the thing I've been happiest to get back to since baby. It was completely worth the money to me. I can think of 3 friends from my tri club who bought Dolces within a year of when I bought my Ruby (our club is sponsored by a Specialized dealer). They are fine bikes, but 2-3 years later, all 3 of their Dolces were back on the floor at the shop, for sale on consignment because they had upgraded to a Ruby. They spent a lot more money than I did, only to end up at the same place at [purchase date + a couple years].  

If you decide carbon isn't for you, as between the Lexa and the Dolce, the decision for me was strictly fit. At the time, the Specialized bikes had a longer top tube that fit me better than the Lexa. Although I'm petite (48 cm frame), my proportions fit better on Trek bikes that are not WSD.

What is it about the Allez that you are most excited to upgrade from?  Smoother shifting?  Less road noise?  Better fit?  That'll be where to spend your money on your new bike.

[chw57]

Susie and sadlebred
I can't decide if I want all carbon. I'm kind of paranoid about cracking the frame (is that ridiculous?) I guess I should test ride to compare...

Also, do I want 105 components or are tiagra ok?

[Susie]

chw57, I'd say try to NOT decide until you ride. You might ride it and decide it's amazing and you need it, or you might decide meh, doesn't feel that different so why spend more? Personally, I fall into the first camp so my 3 bikes are all either carbon or steel (I don't care for aluminum) but YMMV. On the cracking thing, all I can say is that it hasn't been a problem for me. I had the shop go over the frame after I crashed in my first season with it, and it was fine. I haven't had any klutz-, travel-, race-racking-, etc. related issues.

On components, I'd prefer 105, especially on a bike that is going to be high mileage. Mine is full (10 speed) 105. If I'd gotten Tiagra 5 years ago, it'd be 9 speed, and I'd have less long term options for replacement. I'm looking at replacing a few worn components soon, and may use some older Ultegra. Like everything though, you have to decide where you want to spend your money and what makes the most difference to you. Otherwise we'd all be riding full carbon bikes with Dura Ace or Di2 and shopping would be easy, ha.

[jamalynn]

No advice, but wanted saying happy shopping!

[sadlebred]

I'd go with 105, especially if it's 11 speed. The range of gearing will be wider, and 11 speed is the "current" model for all but the lowest Shimano components. The feel of a bike is related to the frame material as well as geometry, tube thickness, and other factors. Wheels, tires, and tire pressure also play a big part. My ti cyclocross bike can be stiff. Toss a pair of carbon wheels w/tubular tires on it, and it feels much more compliant. I have steel, titanium, aluminum, and carbon bikes. They all have pluses and minuses about their "feel."

Ride a bunch of bikes. Decide what fits and you like best.

[wawa]

I'm nosy if you rode any bikes this weekend.

[chw57]

May 8, 2016 12:12:10 GMT -5 wawa said:

I'm nosy if you rode any bikes this weekend.

Not yet... We were out of town. But I'm planning on going tomorrow!

[sadlebred]

Oh, Carbon. You won't crack the frame unless you hit something/get hit by something. I ride hard, and my carbon hardtail mtb is 3 years old. Holding up fine! Carbon these days is much different than 15 years ago!

[FishChicks]

I'm mostly a lurker here, but as a biker, I had to chime in on this one. I would recommend checking out the Felt ZW series bikes. I have an older Felt ZW and I love it. We (as in the bike and I) rode 1,800 miles together last summer, including my first century, and it performed beautifully. My ZW is old enough that it's ultralight aluminum, but the newer models in your price range are carbon with Shimano Sora components, which I've heard good things about. Felts are a bit harder to find, but they tend to be good values, based upon my research.

I like the fit - it didn't need any adjustment for my 5'4" self. My bike has the SRAM Apex groupset, which isn't flawlessly smooth like the Ultegra groupset on my gravel bike, but has never once failed me during a ride. The bike is responsive and has always felt steady on descents. The only thing that's bad about it is the stock seat. That thing is truly awful and deserves to be chucked into the rubbish bin immediately!

[chw57]

OK, so I tried 3 bikes today.
1) Specialized Dolce Elite. It has Tiagra components and is only $1180, but it felt amazingly comfortable.
2) Bianchi Intenso. All carbon, but I didn't love the fit quite as much. Am I crazy for passing up all carbon for only $1650 on sale?
3) Trek Lexa SLX C. They only had it in a 54, which is too big, but I'm going to go back and try it in a 52 this week.

I'm almost sure I'm going with the Lexa, but I need to ride it in the correct size to know for sure. I'm also torn because I rode 1 and 2 at bike shop A, where the people seem a lot nicer than bike shop B, where I rode 3.

[farfalla2011]

Since you don't love the fit, I wouldn't force the Bianchi even though it's carbon for a good price.

In regards to the bike shops, is there another LBS that sells Trek in your area? It may be worth seeking out another shop out to see if you like the people better. If there's not, I would definitely go with the bike that fits and feels the best, even if the people aren't amazing. I totally understand the conflict of feelings there though.

[sadlebred]

I agree. See if there is another shop in your area that sells Trek. See if you can try the bike there. You want to be comfortable with the shop, too.

There are plenty of carbon bikes out there, don't sweat over the good deal!

[sadlebred]

Either way. You'll probably need new shoes if you get Speedplays unless you have road shoes now. Maybe ride the bike for a few weeks with your old pedals and then decide. There are several different Speedplay models. I run Speedplay Zeros on all of my road bikes (and soon to be track bike.)

[thedutchgirl]

Congratulations!

I have Speedplay Light Actions, which I really like. I went straight to them when I got my road bike. I have a pair of MBT shoes I use for spin class and road shoes that I use with my bike.

[cinco]

Yay! Congrats!

[wawa]

Congrats!! I'm curious to hear what you think of the upgrade once you've had it for a few months. I have to admit that the fact that you did an Ironman on your entry level bike makes me feel better about my gamble that my under $1000 price range isn't something I'm gonna grow out of anytime soon.

I was having occasional doubts based on stuff LBS people had said. I'm just not there yet though that spending more made any sense. I might decide at the end of this season that I hate road biking for all I know. I'm not married to it yet like I an running.

[labbie]

Congrats! It's a beauty!

[cole]

Congrats, so pretty!!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations!!! She's beautiful!

[mysticmuffin]

Congrats!! So pretty!

[libbygrl109]

Very nice!

[Susie]

Congrats, she's beautiful! Finding the perfect bike is so fun.

I have 105 pedals, and haven't ridden with Speedplays. It isn't a big enough deal for me to make a change right now, but if I were buying, dual sided entry would be really nice to have.

[farfalla2011]

Congrats!! You'll have so much fun on your new bike.

What pedals do you have on your old bike? I have Speedplay Zeros that I decided I hated - thankfully I made a trade with my BIL so I didn't pay anything for them. They are too hard (for me) to get into that I wasn't comfortable riding knowing I go through stop signs and things like that a lot so I'm in and out of them quite a bit. If you are interested in Speedplays, I would probably look at the light action ones? I went back to my Ultegra pedals that ultimately work great. I may try the light action ones some day because I do like the idea of dual sided entry, but I don't want to spend the extra money right now.

[sassystace]

Very nice!

[chw57]

I have these pedals right now, and I don't dislike them...I am just pondering upgrading...

www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M540-SPD-Pedals/dp/B00A3FZ6QA

I definitely don't want something that feels harder to clip in and out of!