Specialized 1999 Allez Sport

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Bow Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Maui, HI

Bike Setup:
Adjustments are no problem.

Summary:
Overall the bike works well. Once I got it setup for me by my bike shop, it became more comfortable to ride. During slow uphill climbs, I began to hear the rear spokes creaking. Turns out they were defective & needed to be warranty replaced.

Weaknesses:
Well, after breaking 4 spokes, 1 at a time on 4 seperate occasions, all on the rear wheel, I found out that there was a recall on the Ritchie Wheels as the spokes were deemed defective. So if you purchased during July/August 2002, beware. Take it into your dealer. Too bad I had to take my bike all the way to Haleakala Volcano on Maui, HI and find out.

Price Paid:  $960.00 at Summit City Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
any

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
Excellent bike. Very light. I have ridden this bike about 2500 miles, and I have no complaints. I too have had a squeaky bottom bracket, but I will keep on riding to see if it goes away. My only future changes will be rims and fork. Stock is O.K., but I would like to drop some weight off the bike for racing.

Strengths:
light weight, ultegra components, smooth welds

Weaknesses:
bottom bracket

Similar Products Used:
old Nishiki

Price Paid:  $895.00 at Local Shop

Favorite Ride:
Anything with a large, fast group

Bike Setup:
Ultegra except for the shifters(105) and the crank(specialized)

Summary:
I looked at a bunch of different bikes and it was looking as though it would be a Tiagra or a 105 bike. A friend introduced me to this dealer and he came up with the Allez Sport with Ultegra for under $1,000.00. I bought this bike for the group but was surprised by the overall performance of the frame. I weigh 250lbs. and like to push the big ring and this bike takes everything I dish out.
I will be switching to a Cannondale R800 this winter because I got the frame for the cost of a carbon fork.
I have mixed feelings about getting rid of this frame because it was fun to ride. The paint job also brought comments. The team calls it the "Great Pumpkin"

Strengths:
Stiff, handles my 250lbs well.....

Weaknesses:
Fork needs to be carbon and the seat had to go. An Ultegra crank would also be nice.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $870.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Anything with a tailwind

Bike Setup:
Stock, except upgraded to Terry Fly TI saddle, Look pedals.

Summary:
The "bottom" line is lose the saddle if you buy this bike!! As a long-time steel frame rider, I've had no quarrels w/the alum. ride, including the fork, but I have no frame of reference. It's been comfortable over 600+ miles in about five weeks. I've considered upgrading to lighter wheels, but for a 205-lb. rider, the stock setup is probably fine. If you can pick up this bike for under $1000 as I did (w/less than 100 mi.) it's a steal - where else can you get full Ultegra (exc. BB/cranks) on a decent frame for the price?

Strengths:
Ride, components, value

Weaknesses:
Saddle

Similar Products Used:
None (last road bike was a 1983 Nishiki International - so old the stock chainrings were drilled!)

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Wheels of Northbrook

Favorite Ride:
35 mile ride in Barrington Hills

Bike Setup:
Stock components, changed saddle after one month, changed to ibis carbon fork after three months.

Summary:
After riding steel frames for 10 years, I opted for the Allez Sport aluminum frame because of the value. No other bike within $500 came with Ultegra. The ride is much harsher than my steel frame is, but the triple chain ring, the lighter weight, and the addition of the carbon fork have made it a decent touring bike. Since I weight 220 lbs, I don't feel the harshness of the ride that a lighter rider might feel. However, after riding the bike for about 1200 miles, I will go back to steel.
If you are looking for a great value it an entry level racing bike or don't mind aluminum's harsh ride, try the Allez Sport. (The Allez Sport now comes with the 105 group, so it is not quite the value it was)

Strengths:
Ultegra Components, Excellent value, great color

Weaknesses:
Harsh ride (see bottom line)

Similar Products Used:
Replaced Trek 470 steel frame. Also tested Bianchi Eros, LeMond Tourmalet, Cannondale R600