Helping my gf find a new bike. She is an amateur triathlete. She is competing in her 2nd half ironman in a few weeks. She also likes to ride for general wellness and fun. Mostly on paved bike paths. Maybe an occasional 15min commute to work. Her goals are to do a half ironman a year with the occasional olympic and sprint mixed in. Mostly rides solo or with 1-2 friends.
She has an offer for a 2024/2025 Allez base for $1,099 usd and a 2023 Felt VR 40 for $1200usd.
Currently rides a 2000s Allez that’s way too big. It’s a size 54, when she needs a size 49 or maybe 52. She tried a 49 allez base at our LBS and LOVED it. Finally feeling a bike that fit and could put some power down. She suffers from lots of lower back pain and soreness after longer rides. Even with a 70mm stem she still doesn’t use the hoods. She isn’t the “gear head” type and isn’t the type to look for upgrades. Just wants to be comfortable and challenge her own times each year. Willing to invest $1,500 tops.
The allez seems nice but has the claris. I think the Felt might be a better deal with the Tiagra groupset. What is everyone’s thoughts? Going tomorrow to look at both the bikes mentioned. Has been difficult finding anything local around size 49. The felt is a 47 but geometry around a size 50 allez.
Cheers
Links for reference
https://www.capitolcyclery.com/product/specialized-allez-1243748-1.htm
https://www.feltbicycles.com/en-us/archive/2023/road-bikes/vr-endurance-road/vr-40.color.007EAE.html
by PerdidoKai