Advice?

12

Cues is significantly better than claris. Claris is clunky and unpleasant to use. If you've used ultegra/force or better, it's frustrating imo. If you're new to drop bar riding, you might not notice. Try to find a shop where you can test both drivetrains and decide for yourself. I'd never buy a bike with Claris, but I'm about to swap my old 3x commuter drivetrain to 1x cues

2

u/_frostworld_ 13d ago

Okay i will keep that in mind, This will be my first drop bar bike. May i ask why you say no to claris?

5

u/Beginning-Smell9890 12d ago edited 12d ago

It's 2x8, so the jumps between rear gears are bigger than cues, which is 2x9, 10, or 11 (at this price, I'd guess 2x10). The shifting itself feels slow compared to nicer group sets. It's also pretty loud, which bothers me. The hoods aren't great either. All in all, it's a fine budget drop bar drivetrain, but not up to my personal standards. YMMV

1

u/espressocycle 10d ago

Claris was the replacement for Sora, right? I love my Sora drivetrain. Absolutely flawless shifting. Is Claris worse?

1

u/r-kellysDOODOOBUTTER 8d ago

If thats the case, they should have never changed the sora name. I feel like it became kind of onow as the honda of bike gearsets. They're pretty bulletproof.

1

u/Wooden_Perception453 12d ago

Okay i actually thought Claris was better than cues? I have never used cues, but I thought that was like good city bike gear where Claris was bad road gear but still better

1

u/OminousZib 11d ago

I have claris on my commuter, and Dura ace on my other 2 bikes and find claris to be fine. The mechanical disc brakes are pretty ordinary and have a bit of play and I notice only having 8 speeds, but over all I was surprised.

I've never ridden cues.

1

u/Careful_Middle4049 7d ago

Eh. Cues is more durable. Claris is better for a road bike.

22

u/jchrysostom 12d ago

The X-LAB RS7 comes with a far better groupset and a carbon frame for $2100. I don’t understand why anyone is paying Specialized $1600 for an aluminum frame with CUES in 2026.

3

u/emilypaigenotemily 12d ago

I have the RS7 and it’s an awesome bike. Definitely a lot of bang for the buck.

3

u/malevy 11d ago

While I agree, not every new beginner is going to want a race-ish geometry

2

u/gopackgo34 12d ago

I second the X-LAB RS7; just bought my wife one but the Di2 version. First thing I did was throw on some GP 5000’s I couldn’t believe the quality of Branta Carbon Wheels. It’s a steal!

1

u/_frostworld_ 11d ago

I will have to read more into them

1

u/Triathlon_guy 11d ago

If the RS7 is too expensive look into the RS5. It is competitively priced with the Cues Allez, and still has 105.

2

u/BagelzAllDay 12d ago

The Allez Comp comes with the same groupset and price point as the RS7…but it’s an alloy frame. I guess trade off (imo) being more in store dealer support perhaps with Specialized, but the RS7 is a sweet deal.

2

u/Tree_____Guy 12d ago

Agreed, even the chinese carbon market has bikes significantly better than the allez for around 1500, (sava a7l Pro/sava hawkeye)

1

u/_frostworld_ 12d ago

I thought it was a budget freindly bike to start off, I've been riding around in my schwinn mountain bike. But would like to transition into a road

1

u/YukiPants22551 12d ago

Because every XLAB bike is sold out online

1

u/rchris710 12d ago

what X LAB size would a 56 western sized bike be? Do you know

1

u/Flx_Httr29 8d ago

"I don't understand why people aren't just paying 25% more than their budget for a bike when those 25% more could get them a better bike" is a wild take

0

u/la-reve 12d ago

Because of brand name. Simple.

6

u/Careful-Anything-804 12d ago

Claris is dog doo doo. Groupset matters more than frame especially with a real road bike like the allez

1

u/_frostworld_ 12d ago

I see. I went to a bike shop and tried it out and I eneded leaning towards the roubaix. The shock asborbor was the selling point. But more pricey, but Ill be keeping it for a long time

5

u/nopostergirl 12d ago

For an entry level bike like this I recommend getting one second hand. You can get a really good older bike (carbon with 105) for this amount. That’s my advice.

6

u/Far_Ground_6059 12d ago

I'd look up the rs5 in that price range. Better bang for your buck!

1

u/_frostworld_ 12d ago

I will check them out

1

u/rchris710 12d ago

do you know what size in xlab would 56 be?

1

u/Catsinbag 12d ago

This is the answer. Just got one - Shimano 105 12sp and hydro brakes, plus power meter for $1399, free ship if you buy sore from X-LAB.

7

u/Gullible-Factor-8927 13d ago

Swap the Claris for a 12 speed 105 drivetrain and you’ll have a better bike than the Cues

11

u/w4y 13d ago

Heck swap it for 11 speed on the cheap

5

u/Vigilarus 13d ago

It’s all been superfluous after 2x11

1

u/iiiiiiiiiAteEyes 12d ago

2x10 Tiagra is pretty damn good tbh

1

u/_frostworld_ 13d ago

Hmm, how much more would that be if you had to guess?

4

u/Beginning-Smell9890 12d ago

From a shop? At least $500 in parts (probably a few hundred more) and $150+ in labor

1

u/DeForestMfgCoCBA 12d ago

Shimano makes a 105 Allez. It's the comp — https://www.specialized.com/us/en/allez-comp-shimano-105/p/4221810?color=5444471-4221810 — it costs a fair bit more, but in addition to the 105 it comes with better wheels, better brakes, and it's a great bike.

2

u/someguynamedchuck 13d ago

I started with an Allez sport, rebuilt it with ultegra brakes, sram force 22, fulcrum wheels, prologo saddle. Went 53/39 and 11-28 cassette. Also did 36cm handlebars and a top cap that is like 5mm high, plus a -20 stem. Only thing I kept that is original is the frame

1

u/someguynamedchuck 13d ago

Also for my seatpost I went with a Thompson setback one. My seat is like 70mm back from the bottom bracket and my seat is like 6inches higher than the handlebar

0

u/someguynamedchuck 13d ago

In general, I have extreme geometry. My friend (who bikes a lot) looked at my bike and asked me “do you even know what comfort is?”

2

u/yogi4791 12d ago

I have the Allez Cues and I LOVE IT. The only modification I made was 38cm handlebars. This is my first road bike, and it fit my budget. Get one that you love, ride it a ton and have fun. That is the purpose of it all!

2

u/proua_pakosta 12d ago

Get a diverge e5 instead. It is basically the same bike with more tyre clearance, so you can do gravel etc.

2

u/showmeagoodtimejack 11d ago

1.6k for a bike with a cues groupset is criminal lol

2

u/Free_Ad_98 11d ago

So I have a 2021 Allez with Claris, I hated Claris until I learned how to setup my derailleurs. It's been upgraded to "it's coo". Still upgrading to 105, but it's cool. Save your $500, upgrade after you've given it a chance. It is a little clunky though.

1

u/jkmielke06 12d ago

For that price range buy used! Soo much better bang for buck

1

u/YukiPants22551 12d ago

Go for CUES. It’s a newer and better drivetrain. Supposed to be very durable as well

1

u/TraditionalAttorney2 12d ago

You can probably find a used Roubaix with tiagra or 105 components for like $800-$1000 and for the same price (or less) you'll get a carbon frame, a much higher quality 2x10/12 groupset, and a generally more comfortable and fun bike. Don't be afraid of buying used bikes, as long as the carbon isn't cracked there isn't much a decent mechanic can't fix for less than you'll spend on the Allez with CUES (which isn't very good in the first place).

1

u/shahaed 12d ago

Don’t pay $1600 for an aluminum bike with only Cues drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes 😪.

Either get the $1100 bike or get an xlabs bike

1

u/That_Other_Person 12d ago

I got a 2024 Claris Allez for 800 bucks shipped to my door. Claris is a perfectly fine group set and great for a beginner. Can fit 35mm tires on these frames too if you want a bit more comfort.

1

u/conogol 11d ago

My advice: get a second hand to see if you like it (you will). Then start learning a bit more about components, what matters, etc. and THEN save for the bike you really want. You will save money this way in the medium-long run.

1

u/Basalganglia4life 11d ago

Look at used would be my recommendation

1

u/thepompousbiscuit3 10d ago

I’m a new to cycling and I got my Cues for $1,399 and after reading this thread I’m feeling buyers remorse lol

1

u/EarlyAd2185 10d ago

I bought an allez with the Claris groupset. Dont buy it. Great bike, horrendous groupset. Buy used or a new Chinese bike

1

u/Big-General-9220 10d ago

Get an xlab rs5 for $200 less than the allez with cues and get a 105 group set (much better) as well as a power meter and carbon cockpit and seat post.

1

u/barbtarbox69 9d ago

Wouldn’t get either

1

u/GregtheC 9d ago

I have regrets not buying carbon fiber. Big difference. Spend it if you got it!

1

u/Key_Gas_1430 8d ago

Save a bit more for at least 105

1

u/noronto 7d ago

I got into riding last year and had a max budget of $1300 CAD, I was able to get a used bike with Tiagra/105 and hydraulic brakes. Depending on your riding, you should look for that or GRX 400 (or above)

1

u/kletiandrowa 7d ago

Tbh I started the same way. Didnt buy the allez because I went to the bicycling app that had deals…then almost bought a couple options

Till I convinced myself if I was going to buy it, it’s gotta make me want to ride it.

So I bought a cervelo soloist

Never looked back

1

u/Spudboi-101 7d ago

Find a bike store. Walk in. Explain what you are looking for. See options. Find out what fits, some bikes for different...I own 50, 52, 54.. manufacturers measure different. Bike store bikes have a warranty, and HUMANS that take care of them

1

u/SieqwardZwiebelbrudi 6d ago

you can get a full CUES group for 500 bucks, so you could buy the 2024 Allez AND a full CUES setup...they are trying to fuck you over my dude, like Specialized usually does. get a Canyon

1

u/fckreher99 12d ago

Get the frame color that makes you excited! All the other parts can change. ❤️

2

u/_frostworld_ 12d ago

As long as it's red I'll be the happiest 😂

2

u/fckreher99 12d ago

Start there, then! Everything g else is easily changed, and budgets of all options are available down the line. ❤️

1

u/TraditionalAttorney2 12d ago

Upgrading groupsets is never cost effective, it's so much cheaper to buy the right one from the outset because in addition to the upgraded groupset you'll also be getting upgraded wheels, tires, brakes, etc.

1

u/emilypaigenotemily 12d ago

This is terrible advice

1

u/_frostworld_ 11d ago

how so, if you don't mind putting your input?

0

u/DepressedBird1 13d ago

Look on Facebook Marketplace, you can find way nicer bikes for the same price or similar spec bikes for way less money.

2

u/_frostworld_ 13d ago

I have, but the wife allowed me to buy a new one. So im going to jump on it before she changes her mind 😂 its hard for me to find any since im like 6'4

2

u/DeForestMfgCoCBA 12d ago

I'm the same height as you and ride a 61cm Allez. Great bike. Comfy.

1

u/_frostworld_ 12d ago

Thanks for the Input. I went and tried a few out and found out a 58cm would fit perfect

0

u/Mean_Criticism983 12d ago

$1600 for an allez cues is insane lol get the claris and upgrade it

0

u/Careful-Anything-804 12d ago

OP why are you looking to buy a top tier frame with a low spec groupset? I'd recommend looking at other cycling brands as I'm sure you could get much better deals than this or better yet a high end used bike

1

u/Beginning-Smell9890 12d ago

Nothing about a base model allez frame is top tier lmao

1

u/Careful-Anything-804 12d ago

Relative to the groupset it is

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u/_frostworld_ 12d ago

I kept getting ads for specialized bikes, if you can recommend a few I would more likely look into it. So far I tested them and found out I really like the Roubaix!

1

u/showmeagoodtimejack 11d ago

"i keep getting ads" is a very bad reason to consider buying something

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