Bike Setup: 105 shifters, deraileurs, brakes, cogs, hubs. mavic open pro rims. michelin axial carbon tires. look pp296 pedals. specialized body geometry comp saddle.
Summary: this bike is great. it was my first road bike and i havent gotten tired of it. the first upgrade i'd make is a carbon fork to ease long rides. and maybe a 105 crankset, but other than that the bike is gold. its a really nice frame to build on. i'm 6'5" and the 62 fits me better than trek frames.
Strengths: it accelerates nicely and its a great descender. you get a really nice frame for the price, plus 105 components are always nice.
Weaknesses: the aluminum fork is a minus on long rides. also, they use a specialized crankset which is heavier than a 105.
Similar Products Used: trek 1200, specialized a1 comp
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Bike is a mixture of Shimano 105 and Specialized components. All stock so far...
Summary: I really had no idea what to look for in a good quality road bike when I bought this bike a year ago, and for the most part I have not been dissapointed by this purchase. The frame is very stiff and I'm plan to replace the stock aluminum fork for a carbon fiber to help with this. The Specialized pedals that were included with mine, kind of sucked and I replaced these with Shimano Ultegra level pedals. I hope to replace the wheels soon, which have been the biggest source of frustration, 3 or 4 broken spokes so far. After having spent a year learning about road bikes, I still would recommend this bike even considering the above problems. I think it's a good platform to start from and worthy of upgrades as necessary.
Strengths: Stiff Aluminum frame would be a good platform for beginning racers as is the adequately performing Shimano 105 drive train.
Weaknesses: Wheels! Frequent trueing required and I break a spoke about every thousand miles. Shimano STI shifter broke during normal operation for no apparent reason, although this was covered under the warranty. Squeeky bottom bracket. Specialized clipless pedals that were included on mine.
Similar Products Used: None
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Stock, except for: (recalled stem and handlebar) Speedplay X2's, Seatpost, Specialized Body Geo Saddle, Profile Aerobars, and planning to get a set of racing wheels (Red Mavic Open Pro's built w/ American Classic Hubs)
Summary: This was second bike purchase, but first road bike. When looking around for a bike there simply wasn't a bike as well equipped as the Allez. I've ridden it for a little over a year and a half, approx. 4000 miles, done about six centuries, and a couple criteriums. The ride is great for a bigger rider like me, but starts to be too stiff after about a hundred miles! For the first two months it worked flawlessly!!! BUT after those three months, I felt like everything was going to fall apart!!! The plastic shifter cover came off during a race (it was replaced by shimano for free), two of my crank bolts came loose (that was replaced as well), the Ritchey post got stripped after loosening and I hit a pothole (I decided to just buy a lighter and better seatpost), while racing a rear spoke broke for some unknown reason!! (I got it replaced, but it cost me), the plastic rim strips causes flats (bought velox rims strips, problem solved) So after that period of about three months of pure hell, I finally got it all back in perfect condition and there hasn't been a single bad vibe from the bike. The bike has been put through race conditions and heavy usage, but got through the tough times. After all the thrashing I put it through, the Specialized Allez just kept coming back to be ridden once again. Though, it isn't the best racing rig, it can be raced, but you may have to put more maintenance into it. Four Stars for value due to the minor repairs I've had to due. Four Stars for overall because it has performed well as a whole. So for anyone looking for a bike that is worth every cent and want a bike that can be beaten' up... The Allez A1 is the bike for you!
Strengths: Value. Climbs Well. Aesthetically Pleasing. Decends are always stable. Decent Ride. Fast and Efficient. Once "Broken In" Works Flawlessly and is a joy to ride. Equiped w/ Emergency Triple!
Weaknesses: Poorly Assembled. Durability Issue. Stem and Handlebar were recalled 3 months after I had purchased the bike. Seat post got stripped. Chainring Bolts fell out. Shifters Rattle. Plastic Shifter Cover on the 105's Broke After First Race. Broken Rear Spoke
Similar Products Used: None
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Stock (with the obvious exception of clipless pedals)
Summary: I am one of those guys plagued by the notion that I could have had something better. I was pleased to discover that the guy selling me the bike actually discouraged me from buying a more expensive bike b/c he thought the Allez was about as good as I was going to get, absent going up another $1,500 bucks. I test-rode a number of models (some Treks, Cannondales, and Giants costing up to $2,500), and none matched the comfort, quickness, and performance of this bike. The redone-for-99 105 components are certainly good enough for most needs (if I need to "shave grams", I can more cheaply lay off the twinkies); and the rest of the package is a lot of bang for the buck. Since buying the bike, I have been on it every chance I can. Significantly, and still nagged by the notion that "maybe there's something else better out there," I have researched and researched how to upgrade this bike or how to improve performance with even a different (aluminum) frame. Much to my surprise (pleasant!), I can't find too much I'd upgrade, nor have I ridden a frame that is that much more enticing to justify additional cash. Other than some lighter wheels and different tires, I think I'll be riding this bike for a long time to come....
Strengths: Exceptionally fast and nimble, comfortable (esp. for aluminum), uncanny value
Weaknesses: None yet noted (after 1000 miles)
Similar Products Used: Trek, Cannondale, Giant
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: Yowza!!! I really like this bike, have ridden MTB for a while, and this bike is great for a beginning roadie. The price can't be beat. Have about 300 miles on the bike so far and no problems. People say that aluminum is harsh, but with nothing but mountain biking to compare to it doesn't seem that harsh to me. Bike is fast, and climbs great. Did a ride last weekend that included Kanan (SoCal Road to the beach) and the bike did wonderful. The only problem I have is that the bike was so inexpensive and I like it so much, I keep thinking how much nicer a bike for a zillion dollars might be. For now I am happy.
Strengths: Great finish, price, most components
Weaknesses: The stock seat it terrible, cranks starting to creak a bit.
Similar Products Used: GT
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
4 of 5
5 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5
