Hi all,

Older former road rider, out of the picture for over twenty years. Getting back into the bicycling scene and wow, things have changed....

My old Mondia is a relic, and components are looking decidedly different.

Question,

I have a chance to get a brand new Specialized Allez Pro frame (2007, red, beautiful) with a couple of sets of nice wheels, (one set Open Pros on Ultegra hubs, and a set of Mavic Aksium)

I am tempted to find some good deals on Shimano Ultegra or Dura Ace 9 speed components, since everyone is jumping on the 10 speed bandwagon. (Heck, 9 rear sprockets is a significant upgrade from the 6 on my old gear...)

What is the general opinion of this frame?

Which way, and from what source should I look for components?

Good reference books to get me up to speed on the new stuff install/maintainence?

BTW, checking out the local Las Vegas bicycle shops have not been at all a great experience. That is the major reason I am not buying a new, complete bicycle. Unless you are dropping $4K on a new carbon bike, you are not "worthy". That is okay by me...

I get the same treatment when I go into the local BMW motorcycle dealer on my beloved1979 R100RS....

Thanks in advance,

Old guy in Las Vegas

I'll let others chime in on parts and whatnot, but I'll point you at some good maintenance sources.

1) http://www.parktool.com/repair/
2) http://sheldonbrown.com/
3) Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (2nd Edition) by Lennard Zinn

probikekit.com has some good deals on groupsets right now, if you want the length crank that they have. You can get the Ultegra groupset for less than 500.

The one thing I'd say about frames though is that you should find a frame that has geometry that fits you well. One thing that has changed a lot in the last 20 years is that standover height is no longer the determining factor for proper bike fit.

For wheels, take a look at the Neuvations. A lot of people love them for the price.

Welcome back to the road!

I assume that you are paying for the frame and wheels. It may still be cheaper to buy a complete bike. Ususally it cost significately more to build up a frame than buy a complete factory bike. I would encourage buying 10 speed group from probikekit.com . I think the Ultrega group is $450 now on sale. You could get a fitting at a good bike shope for $50-$100 and buy a used bike off ebay-I would still encourage 10 speed in a used bike. The 9 speed system is not compatiable with the 10 speed. When something breaks you can replace it easier if it's part of a 10 speed group. My understanding is that the 10 speed Ulterga is a marked upgrade from the 9 speed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-DURA-ACE-ROAD-BIKE-NEW-DURA-ACE-GROUP-PLUS-MORE_W0QQitemZ150155485125QQihZ005QQcategoryZ98084 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem $1300 for decent wheels and a nice DA setup. I got one of these and put all the components on a Wilier frame I got cheap. Great bike.

I like the DA 10 speed very much. Replaced the 170 mm cranks with 172.5 compact, no complaints. Except 34-50 w/ 12-27 may go too low for some. I didn't get below a 23 today, and I didn't need that. But in the steep mountain roads . . . .

Given what you're coming up from, the 9 speed might be an excellent choice if the deep discount is there. I went from 1992 7 speed STI to Campy 10 speed. I did notice the extra cogs right away and liked them! Only moved to DA because the Campy made my thumbs hurt.

I was in the same situation about 15 years ago, coming back to cycling after a long layoff when my knees went away and I couldn't run anymore.
Don't just dismiss the Mondia--it would probably work fine as a beater/commuter/knockaround bike, even as your main ride until you get back into the sport far enough to have an idea what you really want. I was still riding a mid-80s lugged steel Allez until three years ago. My Atlantis is better, but it cost eight times as much, and it isn't eight times better.
I agree that eight or nine cogs is plenty, and I've stocked up on 8 speed cassettes because I don't plan to go to 10 unless I absolutely have to. It's unnecessary complication for no gain, for the kind of riding I do.
I get to Las Vegas several times a year, but I don't know about bike shops down there. If you're unhappy with the "pro" shops, you might check someplace like REI. My wife's last two bikes came from there, and they're good value for the money. I'd advise against buying from a shop you don't feel good about--they should answer your questions and give you the information you need to make a decision. The shops up here used to be pretty snotty, too, but they've gradually figured out that they can sell a lot more $900 bikes than $3000 ones, and the service and selection in that range has improved. Look around--there's got to be a buttload of shops down there.
The Web sites already recommended are good. If you'd rather work from a book (I would, usually), a good one is Zinn's Book of Bicycle something or other, Repair and Maintenance or something like that. I was a barely -average mechanic when I got my Rambouillet frame, but I built it up without a hitch following that book.
One more thing: Whether you buy or build, really think hard about a triple crank. There aren't any significant disadvantages, and you'll like that granny gear when you're climbing up from Hoover Dam. I'd also look for a frame that will allow tires AT LEAST 28mm wide. I ride 32s or 35s most of the time, and I'm never going back to 23s.

I'd go with the 10 speed thought... You'll have no difficulty finding replacement parts and you won't have to spend MORE money when you realize- "Man, I could have even more gear ratios if I had just one more cog in the back." Just speaking from experience. I spent WAY too much money on small upgrades incrementally instead of just doing it right the first time. You'll be happy with a 10 spd whether from an LBS or from some other deal.