Specialized 2000 Allez A1 Elite

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Supergo of Santa Monica

Bike Setup:
Stock, except for a easton E70 carbon fork.

Summary:
Great bang for the buck, I would have needed to pay at least 500 more to get anything else even comparable.

Strengths:
Ultrega components.

Weaknesses:
I've had problems with spokes on the rear tire breaking as well. Two within almost a months time. However 14 guage spokes and a rebuild seem to have fixed the problem

Similar Products Used:
none.

Price Paid:  $699.00 at Supergo in Chandler, AZ

Favorite Ride:
N. Phoenix hills

Bike Setup:
Stock except for tires/tubes (shredded one on the first ride)

Summary:
The MSRP on this bike is something like $1400. Supergo advertized it at around $900 and when I got to the store they were selling it for $699! That price is unbeatable for an Ultegra-equipped bike!

Some parts are cheaper -- the Specialized cranks and Ritchey hubs come to mind -- but they're quite acceptable.

The quality of the frame really surprised me. Smooth-ground welds and nice paint, it's really impressive for a cheap Taiwanese frame.

The Specialized Body Comp seat is terribly uncomfortable for me. The first thing I've ordered for it is a Terry Buzz Off saddle.

Strengths:
Ultegra components at a VERY low price, surprisingly good build quality, very versatile with braze-ons for a rack on the rear.

Weaknesses:
The top tube seems proportionally too short -- this may be totally subjective.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale

Price Paid:  $1100.00

Bike Setup:
Switched to the dual chainring, all ultegra setup. Otherwise the bike is stock.

Summary:


Try to talk the dealer into throwing some wheels on with thicker gauge spokes. They use these skinny 15 gauge spokes and maybe over-tension them. Therefore, after riding on rough roads they are likely to break. I threw all 14 gauge spokes on mine and haven't had a problem with them breaking or going out of true.
Think hard about if you want or will soon want a double chainring. You'll end up spending a couple of hundred dollars to switch it over.
Great bike, but if you think you might race, go the next step up to the Allez Comp and you'll get a carbon fork and all ultegra drivetrain for a couple of hundred bucks more.

Strengths:
Price for the ultegra componetry
Light, Stiff, I love the saddle. very comfortable

Weaknesses:
Could use a carbon fork if you live in an area with rough roads. The aluminum fork can be jarring.
Spokes breaking at 1,500 miles.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Eros

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at T-TOWN BICYCLES

Favorite Ride:
CENTURY

Bike Setup:
ULTEGRA EQUIPPED, SPECIALIZED CRANKSET 2-RING.

Summary:
FOR ULTEGRA EQUIPMENT THIS BIKE HAS A LOT OF BANG FOR THE BUCK.THIS BIKE HAS PERFORMMED FLAWLESSLY FOR ME. pOUND FOR POUND AND DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR YOU CANT BEAT IT. IF YOUR ON A BUDGET AND CANT AFFORD A HIGHT DOLLAR BIKE THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU.

Strengths:
LIGHT WEIGHT BIKE WEIGHED IN AT 20LBS. SHIMANO ULTEGRA EQUIPPED. LIGHT AND RESPONSIVE. COMFORTABLE SADDLE.

Weaknesses:
WHEELS MAVIC CPX23 REAR WHEEL DOES NOT STAY TRUE. THE FACTORY STEM RISES TO MUCH TRADE IT OUT.

Similar Products Used:
TREK2200, CANNONDALE RS600

Price Paid:  $1085.00 at Town & Country

Favorite Ride:
55 miles/ride - Hilly roads

Bike Setup:
Good Value. Shifts flawlessly.

Summary:
Suspect wheel spokes where over tensioned and I now need to rebuild the wheels. Submitting warrenty claims.

Strengths:
Lots of good hardware for the price. Very smooth ride. Handles very well.

Weaknesses:
Breaking Spokes at 1,000 miles

Similar Products Used:
My first road bike.