Specialized 1999 Allez M4 Pro

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Johnson road

Bike Setup:
58CM Dura-Ace Components, 7700 STI Flight deck, Easton EM/EC 90 Handle bars, stem, forks. Specialized Aratar Seat, Neuvation Aero wheeles, continental tires, Salsa Titaniun Skewers, 9 speed, Cane Creek Headset.

Summary:
This bike goes with little effort, this is my entry into the road game, I have been riding hills for many years. With this bike, the transition was nice and easy. Highly recommended

Strengths:
This is a rocket, Little effort on the uphils, screams on the downhills. Great value for the money, I added a lot of higher end components, but finally got the bike that I wanted. The Green is outstanding. Love the color.

Weaknesses:
NA

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Friend

Favorite Ride:
Allez Pro

Bike Setup:
Ultegra parts group, BBB seatpost, Stella Italia seat

Summary:
A very good buy. Parts group are excellent. Very good climber. I dont rid it too much only for training. Trying to race XC mountain bike. Will hopefully race for the first time this weekend.

Strengths:
Frame is stiff, great parts group. The tires lasted 6 years!!! Love the paint.

Weaknesses:
Seat sucks.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at A Wheel Experience

Favorite Ride:
Old Plank Trail

Bike Setup:
stock except for Profile aero bars

Summary:
Everyone was right. This bike is a rocket. I was 2 minutes faster on a hilly 17.5 mile course with a lower heart rate. This thing climbs almost by itself. I also found I fit a smaller frame than I anticipated. My Cannondale R600 was a 63cm (just a hair too big) and I fit the 58 cm frame on the M4 perfectly. I can't wait for my next duathlon in 2 weeks. Since I got an older model, I got a great deal. I would have been hapy even if I paid a lot more. I had to have a forward seatpost before to put me in a good TT position. Not with this bike. This is a good bike for someone interested in TT or multisport.

Strengths:
light weight, aero frame, ultegra group, incredably responsive

Weaknesses:
seat, what a rock!!!

Similar Products Used:
Niskiki Riviera GT, Cannondale R600

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Lemoore Bike Shop

Bike Setup:
I have added a Body Comp seat, and Speedplay Titanium pedals. She is now sub 19 pounds with a small seat pack containing a tube and CO2 pump. I highly recommend the Speedplay pedals. They are pricey, but at 150 grams for the PAIR - you are not going to get any lighter.

Summary:
The bike rocks. I really like its responsive nature. When you sprint - you feel at though all your energy is getting to where it is supposed to - the rear wheel - not absorbed into the frame. The bike handles well and somehow does all of this without giving the rider the classic harsh aluminum ride. So, I recommend the bike without reservation. I will say this though, if you can afford it, take the Comp home. The frame is so nice - it deserves Dura Ace components. Buy this bike if you are a serious rider looking for a quality piece of gear at a fair price. Oh yeah - if you hate the green, its ok - they are yellow now.

Strengths:
Good original components/contrary to most owners, I like the unique paint job with the black stem, handlebar, and Mavic Open Pro wheels/the M4 aluminum gives a responsive yet not harsh ride/the Ultegra components have worked perfectly for me

Weaknesses:
You have to overtighten the seat post clamp to stop the seat post from rotating (yes, even with an ungreased seat post/If you buy the correct size frame, it does not leave much seat post showing when your seat is at the proper height. This is odd to the eye and makes it a pain to put on your home work stand./You cannot buy this bike unless you have an extra $100.00 for a seat.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale CAAD 2 - harsh ride: brutal / Giant Carbon - a real string bean. You could see the bottom bracket flex in sprint.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at supergo

Bike Setup:
new stem to replace the nice looking but short ritchey, new saddle, vittora techno tires - otherwise stock

Summary:
awesome bike at a steal $$. frame size runs big so you could go down a cm or 2. long top tube and funky seattube allow it. got my usual size (they didnt have anything 'a bit' smaller) and it doesnt show as much seatpost as i normally would.

rides perfect, no flex, ultra responsive- and its aluminum so you have some lively feel, not dead like fiber.

ultegra components are solid- no problems. mavic open pros are solid and light- the front has developed the 'mavic rattle' but doesnt bother me.
the seat is okay for short rides but if youre serious enough to drop a K on a bike, get a real seat.

i wouldnt be happier if i spent 2x as much. i give it 5 flamers for performance, 5 for design and 5 for value. oh, i hate the green paint but for the $, ill live with it.

Strengths:
stiff, lightweight, responsive without being skittish . good components and quality

Weaknesses:
way too short stem, weird seatpost/frame area, dumb plastic cover for the seatpost (never used), seat is a proctological experience- get a new one.

Similar Products Used:
None