Price Paid:  $0.00 at Cycle Surgery - Spit

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
My secret loop in essex :)

Bike Setup:
Base model Allez triple, 52/42/30 front Sora, 12-25 8spd rear Tiagra. Unbranded brakes and other no-name components.

Summary:
Good starter bike but at the time I bought it, I knew I'd be riding lots so really I could have looked at a low-end Tarmac as my starter bike. Back then however I had no idea why people would spend 'tarmac kinda money' on a bike.

Strengths:
Nice frame, pretty stiff. No problems with it. Would like to upgrade wheels and other components but feel this should be done for my next bike (if I can ever justify getting it).

Relatively cheap means I can take it almost anywhere (good part of town, bad part of town), be a little reckless with it, and if it breaks, I can just buy another one.
Recent upgrades are Thomson Elite seat post and Keo Sprint pedal with Spec BG Comp shoes.

Weaknesses:
The brakes. They're just not powerful enough. I'm not sure if it's me not servicing them right, but I've tried new brake pads and various adjustments, but they really need more stopping power. Perhaps I should try KoolStop pads.
I went for a triple, not knowing what kind of gearing I'd need. From now on I'll only look at Compact chainrings.

Similar Products Used:
I've not tried any other bike. The only bike I looked at was Trek 1000, but I disliked certain components on it, the wheels, and it just wasn't as sporty looking as my Allez.

Price Paid:  $780.00 at woodland hills wheel

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
long beach loop

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
i've only had this bike for a weeks, put 250 miles on it. it is an amazingly versatile bike. i've been able to do some pretty major climbs (over the santa monica mountains) relatively easily, and am completely impressed with the way that it handles. i was initially turned-off by the mix of sora, and tiagra components, but they work perfectly, and the triple really helps get over the sepulveda pass.

Strengths:
sora shifters show which gear you're in. geometry is racey, but not too uncomfortable for long rides. passing guys who have been in the game as long as i have and spent 8 times as much as i did. overall great bike. try as you might, you still cant buy speed.

Weaknesses:
the wheels aren't great, which is to be expected. i already knocked the back one out of true on my first 50+ mile ride.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
W&OD

Bike Setup:
All stock baby!

Summary:
This is my first road bike, so I really don't have anything to compare this to except for my mountain bike. I really do like this bike though. It's fast, has a very nice wheelbase, and is great to control. I test rode other bikes before buying this bike and I like this one the most by far. I think it has good looks, a good feel, and has some excellent features for a beginner bike. Learning to shift with my hands in on the hood is very different...but not bad.

Strengths:
Carbon fiber forks
Carbon fiber seat post
Nice wheelbase
Good price

Weaknesses:
Brakes, this thing definitely needs some better brakes!

Similar Products Used:
- Test rode Giant OC3
- Test rode Trek 1.2
- Sat on a Fuji (can't remember model)
- Sat on a Schwinn (can't remember model)

Price Paid:  $699.00 at UC Cyclery, San Dieg

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Mission Bay and Fiesta Island, San Diego

Bike Setup:
Swapped out the stock stem for a shorter one and SPD pedals.

Summary:
The best entry-level bike for the money, hands down. Next to the Trek 1000, there was no comparison between the two. The frame technology is far superior to the Trek's with the hour-glass seat stays and the tapered top and down tubes. The Sora 8-speed shifters are adequate for recreational riding and the Tiagra RD is solid. Like everybody else, I find that the Sora FD is impossible to dial in so that it doesn't rub. The ride is super silky smooth and the bike likes to go fast. 2007 wheelset is superior to the 2008's but the '08 has 9-speeds. Pick your poison. The no-name brakes work fine.

Strengths:
A stable and forgiving bike for new road enthusiasts. Same frame/fork as higher-end models. Excellent value for the money.

Weaknesses:
wheelset and brakes are no-name products with suspect lineage.

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Capital Bikes - Anna

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Annapolis Neck

Bike Setup:
Speedplay Zero, Profile Designs Aero Bars

Summary:
I purchased this bike in May 2007 and have put over 2000 miles on it as of December. Coming from a mountain bike background and with an interest in competing in a couple of local triathlons, I didn’t want to spend too much. Initially, I bought a set of low end SPD road pedals so I could use my mountain bike SPD shoes. That worked out fine but later upgraded to Speedplay Zero Cromos and Specialized Pro Road Carbon shoes. I also slapped on a set of Profile aero bars and was off to the races. As stated in some other reviews, I did have some trouble with the stock front derailleur and replaced it with a 105 model. The bike has performed well and exceeded expectations. I’ve never experienced any aches and pains associated with fit and the bike rides very comfortably. I don’t live and ride in a particularly hilly area and have rarely required the use of the small/triple chain ring.

I raced in 4 triathlons on it and held my own in the field with top 25% age group placements. At one larger race and with the unintended assistance of some minor drafting, I averaged 21mph on a 40k course. I kept pace with many higher end tri bikes and especially enjoyed passing guys with aero helmets and $1,000+ wheel sets. The Allez is a classic road bike and one that would have cost two to three times as much just a few years given the improvements in bike technology. Strengths include the carbon fork, sturdy frame, carbon seat post and low key good looks. Weaknesses include low end group and wheel sets but that’s to be expected for the price.

In summary, the Allez Triple is a great introductory road bike. For next season, I recently placed an order for the 2008 Cervelo P2C Ultegra but plan on keeping the Allez Triple for rainy day training and my 17 mile commute to the office. It will be interesting to see what a $2,500 carbon bike really has over a $650 bike.

Strengths:
Carbon fork, sturdy frame, carbon seat post and low key good looks

Weaknesses:
Low end group and wheel sets but that’s to be expected for the price.