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Trek 1.7 Specialized Allez, Boardman Team. Which one?

Hello



I’m currently looking for a new bike for tri and sportive riding around the £1,000 mark. I have looked extensively at the Trek 1.7, Specialized Allez Elite and the Boardman Team Carbon.



I’m 6’ and just shy of 14st could anyone share their opinions in these bikes or for that matter anything else in this range?



Thanks

Comments

  • gdh250467gdh250467 Posts: 237
    I was in an identical position to you earlier this year. 6 foot, 14 st (now 12 st, woo hoo!).



    Was intending completing initial races on a Marin Carbon Hybrid, but thought might as well commit myself fully, so started looking at road bikes, and choices were:

    Specialized Allez Elite,

    Giany Defy, or

    Boardman



    In the end went with a Boardman Team Carbon. Bought a display model that had a small scratch, which gave me a £100 discount, and persuaded them to throw in two carbon bottle cages (usually £29 each) as well.



    After about 6 weeks riding had the bike checked over at my local LBS. Stayed away from Halfords, and was advised that the local Halfords bike mechanic also gets his bike serviced at the same LBS, which says it all. The general feedback from the LBS is that it's an excellent bike for the money, light, well specced etc.



    I must say that I can't fault the bike, probably my best decision this year, other that taking up Triathlons (wish I done it years ago when I was younger and fitter). Bike is light, and fast and handles really well.



    Now fitted a set of clip on aero bars, and a triathlon saddle and it flies.

  • MrSquishyMrSquishy Posts: 277
    Mate, I am in exactly the same position as you at the moment and had those 3 bikes on my shopping list, as well as the Giant Defy 1.



    In terms of reviews alone my preferences were Giant/Boardman, then Spesh, then Trek. Hlafords would not let me test ride the Boardman, so that went out the window and Defy 1's seem to be in very short supply at the moment. Yesterday I test rode an Allez Elite, Trek 1.7 and Orbea Aqua it was a very worthwhile exercise.



    Despite Specialized stirring something deep in my loins, I actually felt more comfortable on the Trek. As it happen, it now looks likely that I'm going to go for a custom build on a Ridley Triton frame, courtesy of the good people at Bridgtown Cycles. If, for whatever reason, that turns out to be a shocker of a ride then I'll be going for the Trek.



    My advice - go out and test ride them all if you can. The bike that best suited my physical make-up (short legs, long back) may be completely different to you.
  • treefrogtreefrog Posts: 1,242
    Boardman, ,Specialised has slack geometry, Trek some have dodgy carbon
  • SwimfanSwimfan Posts: 19
    I can't buy a Boardman Team Carbon (medium) because Halfords don’t have any. Despite some really helpful staff its taken me some time to finally be told this....and nothing else..."there are none in the UK" and head office are not expecting any until August. I tracked some down through forums but they were 'reserved'





    I am very careful about bike selection and had spent months agonising over every minute detail and the usual can I afford it or not angst…..finally decided to commit and some time later….sorry there are none. I've looked at alternatives of which there are few who even come close to the bargin this bike offers.



    Its so annoying!



  • willieverfinishwillieverfinish Posts: 1,381
    Hold on a minute - What wrong with specialised ? I've got an allez elite ?



    Tell me tell me ?





  • ipay1980ipay1980 Posts: 84
    in the last edition of triathlon plus mag, they reviewed best bikes for £800! The Boardman came out on top with great reviews.
  • MrSquishyMrSquishy Posts: 277
    willieverfinish wrote:


    Hold on a minute - What wrong with specialised ? I've got an allez elite ?



    Tell me tell me ?

    Ask Mike at Bridgtown Cycles, he gave me the lowdown yesterday.
  • willieverfinishwillieverfinish Posts: 1,381
    Yep - I'm driving from Surrey all the way there on Monday morning so he can educate me and impart some much needed wisdom.



    I won't chuck it out for scrap just yet. [:(]

  • I've had a Boardman Team Carbon delivered this week. Early days but very happy so far. I went through the same dilemma about Halfords as everyone else seems to, but had it checked and fitted properly out when it arrived and it seems a good build. Ordered it online and it arrived in under a week. Can't argue.
  • eamonneamonn Posts: 30
    I recently bought a Trek 1.5 and I absolutely LOVE it! Got a deal on it because it`s last year`s colour(white trimmed with red and black-much nicer than this year`s green). Apparently they use the same frame on the 1.7 and 1.9 but with different spec.

    I moved from a Claud Butler San Remo and can`t believe the difference.It`s lightweight,responsive and rides like a dream,especially uphills.Just added Profile Design T2+ tribars and clip in pedals. At my level it`s all the bike I`ll ever need.
  • http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad9-105-compact-2009-road-bike-ec016027



    I got the Cannondale CAAD9 105, great bike, got last seasons for £900. Maybe consider it.
  • GHarvGHarv Posts: 456
    cboardman...



    [image]local://2026/00CD2F6821B344C8801ED16955169DF6.jpg[/image]
  • [toPh][toPh] Posts: 244
    That boardman is sexy!



    How much is standard?

  • GHarvGHarv Posts: 456
    Have just changed the wheels, added tri bars, my tri tip saddle and bottle cage.



    G
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