Bike Setup: Stock'07 Allez Expert (53x39t), brushed, upgraded with Durace derailleurs (f&r), toupe gel saddle, and Michelein Pros.
Summary: After over 1000 miles I can say that this is one exciting bike! Ever been on a real spirited, strong, sensitive racehorse that's been in the barn too long? The Allez Expert feels like that! Very responsive and quick with sensitive steering. I am a small (5'6"), old (69), light (150lb) rider and the delicate handling requiring a light touch seems perfect. Also, the aluminum allows me to feel contact with the road and sense the spirit of the bike unlike carbon fiber. There's still plenty of weight shaving carbon with the fork, seatstays, and reinforced saddle base and adequate road damping with the zerts inserts. In my initial bike testing at various LBS's I felt the Allez was a winner but there were so many unfortunate levels of bike prep on the demo models that it was hard to discern what was characteristic of that particular bike and what was just a matter of good or bad component adjustment. Therefore, I'd recommend learning to maintain and repair your owm bike early on. All in all, the Allez Expert is exceptional in my book, just remember to keep your lips closed when you ride with that big grin (through bugs!).
Strengths: After much personal research, I believe it is the very best bike for the buck - in that not-entry level/not-super racer range of biker.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have the momentum (weight)for driving through strong headwinds that my 50 year old steel bikes have and who the heck cares? Also it is so exciting to ride that it increases my heartbeat rate without "stressing" my heart (from exertion) and so it is difficult to get an accurate (or valid) reading on my heart monitor! OK, so I do "excitement intervals".
Similar Products Used: Tested: Trek, Giant,and all the levels of Specialized Allez. Own: vintage Kalkoff, Royce Union, Releigh and Specialized Roubaix Expert, Sirrus Elite, Sequoia, and a Mongoose mtb.
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Summary: Great bike. Solid, yet supple. Not overly light but pedals fast and efficient. Comfortable on long rides. I have 2000+ miles on it and I love this bike to the extreme.
Strengths: Stiffness laterally. Climbing geometry. Stock parts are decent too.
Weaknesses: Wheels. A little heavy, but can be changed so no discount on rating.
Similar Products Used: Various treks, lemonds, roubaix.
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Bike Setup: E5 Aerotec aluminum frame with carbon seat stay & fork w/ zertz inserts
Specialized carbon handlebars
Full ultegra gruppo, including cranks & BB
Ultegra R600 wheels
Specialized Mondo Pro tires
Look Keo sprint pedals
Summary: I surprised myself when I bought this bike: I had been fixated on full carbon bikes, including tarmacs and roubaix, but tried this one on advice of LBS. Glad I did; this bike is rock solid on straights, makes me appear to be a much better climber than I am, holds a line on curves at speed, and doesn't beat you up after 3 hours in the saddle. It's fast, stiff, responsive almost to the point of twitchiness, absorbs a heck of a lot of road vibration. I find myself pushing the edge on curves and haven't been let down yet. But it's not a doctor's bike: look elsewhere if you want your bike to be the latest in carbon bling and provide a comfy, conservative ride above all else.
Strengths: Fast, responsive, climbs like a demon, rock solid on descents, handles like a dream, more comfy than aluminum frame bikes are given credit for. Full ultegra gruppo is buttery shifting, I haven't had to true the low spoke count ultegra wheels in spite of hitting potholes and riding some rough pavement.
Weaknesses: The specialized mondo tires are grippy, roll well, but are prone to puncture and are wearing out fast. I've got 800 miles on them, and will probably have to replace them before they hit 1000.
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