Specialized | Biking To Live

I Pulled the Trigger….Not the Finger

Posted by Bryan on Jan 27, 2010 in Blog, Uncategorized | 18 comments

This evening I was able to look at and ride the Specialized Allez Elite I talked about yesterday. The guy was kind enough to bring it to me because I didn’t have a bike rack to bring it back home in the event I did buy it. He even cleaned it up some before bringing it over.

He was selling it because his girlfriend basically said he has too many bikes (four) and needed to get rid of one. I jokingly told him he should get used to those kinds of demands if he intends to marry the chick. He hadn’t even listed it on Craigslist yet but saw the ad I posted a couple of days ago describing what I was looking for in a bike.

You all saw the pics in my bicycle comparison chart post but let me fill you in on the components. It’s an Allez Elite Double with a 53/39 crankset and 9 speed 12-26 cogs. The front derailleur is Tiagra while the rear is 105. The shifters are Tiagra STI. It’s also got the Zertz inserts in the carbon fork and seatpost along with carbon seat stays.

Overall I was very impressed with the bike when I rode it. It’s a huge difference from my Cannondale. It was quick on the pickup and braking. Shifting was awesome. I admit it. I was in love.

So, once I get it totally cleaned up I’ll take some more pics of it to post.

Thanks to everyone who listened to me moan and bellyache over the last few months about not having a bike. No excuses now.

Bicycle Comparison Chart

Posted by Bryan on Jan 26, 2010 in Bicycle Parts, Bike Shops, Blog, Cycling For Beginners | 14 comments

Most of you know I’m searching for a new bike. My price point is right in the neighborhood of $800 which doesn’t let me get to the 105 component level I want unless I can find me a good deal used (which I’m open to) or buy online (I’m skeptical of doing). I do know that I want at least a 9 speed rear cog set and would like STI. I’m open for compromises such as considering a triple chainwheel set instead of a double. After finally concluding that I won’t be challenging Lance or Levi in the Tour De France I’ve decided that I can probably forgo my 105 requirement. At most I’ll be doing the organized ride which would be more for distance riding rather than placing. The number one priority of my new bike is, as it always has been, to help me lose weight.

I decided to make myself a handy-dandy chart to help me along and to show you what I’m looking at (the real reason for the chart is because I’m an Excel geek that can’t help myself). I did get an email from a guy who has a 2007 Specialized Allez Elite Triple that sounds promising. He’s sending me pics tonight to look at.

Those bikes in the chart below labeled as ‘local’ are available at a Local Bike Shop while the ‘online’ bikes are available at Bikes Direct. There are advantages and disadvantages to buying at either place. I wish there was a Bikes Direct store here in Dallas that I could go look at some of their bikes. We have one back home in Florida but, alas, I’m not there right now. I didn’t include any bikes from Performance Bikes but those are options too. In fact, I’m thinking of hitting their store tonight just to see what they have since it’s been so long since I’ve been in there.

Bicycle Comparison Chart (click to enlarge)

Update:

I mentioned earlier about a guy with a 2007 Allez Elite. It’s actually a double not a triple. Pics of it are below. My initial thoughts are that it looks to have been ridden hard which isn’t necessarily bad. The cogs do look pretty grimy to me and the entire bike needs a cleaning. I’m not sure about the cranks. On the plus size, he wants $500 for it which seems like a great deal. I’d value my readers opinions.

I downsize the pics he sent me since they were around 2mb each.

Click to Enlarge

Ten Awesome Looking Time Trial Bicycles

Posted by Bryan on Apr 7, 2009 in Blog, Cool Bicycles | 4 comments

When it comes to looks and style, it’s hard to beat the coolness factor of time trial bicycles. Built for speed, they employ aerodynamic designs that have been developed over years of testing and racing. Riders are fitted to their time trial bikes in order to transfer the maximum amount of energy as possible from their bodies to the bike. These specialty bikes also use cutting edge materials like titanium and carbon fiber in order to make them as light as possible.

I’ve collected some images of trial bike bikes that possess the ability to not only be fast but look fast.

BMC Time Machine

BP Stealth

Cevelo P3C

Cervelo P4

Fuji D6 Professional

Kestrel Airfoil Pro

Look 596

Specialized Transition

Trek Equinox TTX

This is a repeat of the Trek Equinox above but I’ve included it because of the awesome paint scheme that was specially done for Lance Armstrong’s comeback to professional cycling. The 1274 signifies the number of days that have elapsed since his last race and his return at the Tour Down Under this year.

Lance Armstrong Time Trial Bike

This is certainly not an all inclusive list. I’m sure there are others out there that could have made this list but just weren’t included. My criteria for this list were that they have the coolness factor and aren’t prototypes. If you have a recommendation for the list please include it in the comments.