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Considering Secteur or Allez - advice wanted

by atlaz
Tue, Sep 14, 2010 10:37
12

I've decided to replace the SS road bike (my early 80s Raleigh) that I use for commuting and local road rides and get a "proper" road bike for general riding fitness (I mostly ride offroad) and commuting.

I'm looking at getting something on the cyclescheme around the £500-600 mark and given the generally good reputation of Specialized as a safe bet, started looking at the Allez or Secteur (particularly 2010 models). The problem is, I've got no idea how to decide between them so I thought perhaps people on here might be able to advise. Given an equivalent model, what's the difference between the two and which, as a newbie, is likely to give me more of a gentle introduction to more serious road riding?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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12 comments

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Super Domestique | 14 years ago
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Don't think you'd be disappointed with the Secteur Elite. My mate who has one loves it.

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atlaz | 14 years ago
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So yeah, I went to the spec concept store, had a sit on a few and got some fitting advice from the guy at the shop. Now he's almost got me convinced to buy the Secteur Elite, it was all I could do to stop myself putting down a deposit. Sneaky bugger also showed me a mountain bike I might be adding to the collection too.

Generally though I felt more comfortable on the Secteur as it's a little less racy which suits me given my background. Now just waiting for our bike to work people to explain what I'd need to pay before I commit to either of them.

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ffc65 | 14 years ago
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Of course the main thing putting me off the Allez 16 is that I very much doubt I`ve got the fitness or legs to go with a 52/39 on anything even slightly resembling a hill 1

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ffc65 | 14 years ago
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I`ve been looking at both of these bikes and can`t choose between them which is annoying as Edinburgh bike co-op had them both for £399 up until last Sunday. Be interested to see which you choose and why

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Super Domestique replied to ffc65 | 14 years ago
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ffc65 wrote:

I`ve been looking at both of these bikes and can`t choose between them which is annoying as Edinburgh bike co-op had them both for £399 up until last Sunday. Be interested to see which you choose and why

The Allez seems to be £450 everywhere at the mo except one place - Freeborn 3

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Super Domestique | 14 years ago
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At the risk of offending triple users then perhaps yes lol.

Actually, as you mention those with big hills will find them more useful.

Funnily enough my dad went out yesterday and grabbed himself a 2010 Allez in silver for £399. Which also means my son has now got himself a nearly new Carrera TDF foc!

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atlaz | 14 years ago
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Am I right in assuming the triple is just really useful while you get the legs or MTFU (particularly as I live in Surrey, not the Alps)?

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atlaz | 14 years ago
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I think I'll try to pop up to Ruislip tomorrow to take a look then

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Super Domestique replied to atlaz | 14 years ago
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atlaz wrote:

I think I'll try to pop up to Ruislip tomorrow to take a look then

Cool. Keep us posted.

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Super Domestique | 14 years ago
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Basically yes. Due to the taller headtube but not dramatically hence why you need to sit on both bikes. You can always compare their geomtery here:
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/bikes/

Also, due to the triple, etc the Secteur will be slightly heavier than the Allez with a double. But as mentioned before you can get an Allez with a triple if you prefer the feel of that model but need the extra gears.

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atlaz | 14 years ago
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My LBS sells both so I'm going to have wander around. Given I'm unlikely to be joining clubs or doing anything organised on the road, the Secteur comfort levels were what made me think about it seriously. The reviews of the Allez seem good but there's not a lot of info about the Secteur to compare to. I think ultimately if they both fit, it's going to be a small difference overall.

I'd assume the secteur is a bit more "upright" in terms of riding position?

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Super Domestique | 14 years ago
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Hi. I had a similar dilema when buying my first road bike a few months back. I looked at a few makes and settled with Spesh due to its reputation and quality. I was also won over by the look of the Allez 16 in red (have you read the test on here btw?)
However a friend suggested the Secteur as he'd just got himself the Elite version. My budget was £500. So I could have pushed the extra 50 for the Secteur if I wanted.

The Secteur is more set for comfort/endurance so has the triple rings up front (you can get an Allez with a triple btw) and has slightly wider tyres (25 instead of 23 iirc) and more padded bar tape, again iirc. Basically it is an alu frame version of the Roubaix. The Allez following the Tarmac more.

That said I just could not get past the look of the Allez and its more racy feel. It is not uncomfortable as the headtube is only 10mm shorter. Plus the triple was not really needed either and heart won v head in my case. I would recommend going to a decent shop and having a proper size up and test rather then just the 'best price' on the internet too.

Hope this helps. Any other questions and I'll do my best to answer.

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