Buying a bike: Is this a good deal?

Scott Baird

So I plan on commuting from my parents' house to college this coming year and am in the market for a road bike.

I went to the local bike shop and there really wasn't anything good in the price range i'm willing to spend, aside from a 2006 Specialized something-or-other road bike. It's got a 105 gear set and is identical to whatever 2007 equivalent he is selling for $1,300 except that the 2006 one doesn't have carbon fiber wheel-connecting whatever-the-fucks because they just started doing that this year. Anyway, the 2006 model is new-in-box and he said he'd have it assembled by tomorrow afternoon. He's asking $850 for it.

Is this the market price, or would i be getting ripped off, here? It still has all the warantee stuff that a new bike would have, it's just about 500 dollars cheaper.

Also, if it helps, from looking at Specialized's website, I believe the bike is the 2006 equivalent of the Allez Elite Triple. Maybe that's what it was called then, as well. I'm pretty new to all this.

Thanks

tsmvengy

The Allez is a nice bike, and if you want an $850 bike, then it's a good deal. But I wouldn't buy it without riding it - is it really the right fit/size for you? Road bikes have different frame heights as well as LENGTHS - so you may feel more comfortable on one bike vs another. I would as a rule ride it before buying it.

Scott Baird

Yeah, it's the right size, but I definitely plan on riding it around before handing over my money.

Proto

I've got the 105 group on my Surly Cross-Check and I can vouch for it being pretty damn great. Once you move up to the Ultegra or Dura Ace groups you are paying for a weight reduction (and arguably less durability) that's probably only useful if you are racing.

Regarding the Allez, keep in mind that it's a pure road bike, so you won't be able to mount fenders or racks on it which you may want to do if you are commuting.

Good price though.

Serphimera

I think that's the same bike I have and that is what I paid for it.