Specialized Allez Elite 27

Price Paid:  $922.00 at Cycleworks, Capitola

Favorite Ride:
Carmel Valley

Bike Setup:
Specialized Allez Elite, 27-speed. All stock except Armadillo tires, NiteRider lights in winter. Performance Forte Classic Mag/Ti pedals (great pedals).

Summary:
I'd been riding my old Peugeot, and then my various MTBs using slicks, for years when commuting. Finally decided my 33-mile commute could justify a separate bike. This was it.

When I first read the reviews on this bike I was worried about the wheels. But the Trek I'd been considering had similar complaints, so I figured it's an issue across manufacturers. Well, I ended up with wheel problems:

I trued the wheels once after break-in. Just minor tweaks. But I had a hard crash at about 2,000 miles that twisted the rear wheel enough to require more serious truing. A week later a spoke pulled out of the hub. Obviously it was overtensioned from the truing after the crash.

Does this mean the wheels are no good? Not in my opinion, though I would say that fewer spokes must mean they each have to carry more of the weight. The upside is the lighter wheels and better aerodynamics.

The frame has been flawless, providing stability without sacrificing too much handling. I like the lightweight compact geometry. And the ride, while somewhat harsh, is good enough to keep me going even on 100-mile rides.

The Shimano 105 components are awesome, and much crisper than the Tiagra. If you ride a lot they're worth the higher cost. I love the integrated shifters/levers. I'm also very glad I got the 27-speed; the mountains around here would kill me without it.

I replaced the Turbo tires with Armadillos to reduce flats, and found a significant improvement in comfort too. But it's still mostly stock, and every component has been great. No complaints! Well maybe one; the stock brake pads seem to have limited grip. If they ever wear out I'll see if there's room for improvement.

BTW, the bike weighed about 19.6 pounds in size 52 cm when new. Cool!

Strengths:
Decent price, light weight, race-geometry compact frame, great components.

Weaknesses:
Wheel quality maybe, slightly harsh ride.

Similar Products Used:
Peugeot, 1976-vintage!

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Gilles Cycling and F

Favorite Ride:
anything fast and smooth

Bike Setup:
shimano 105 chain ring and derailleurs, Look A5.1 pedals and Sidi Titan 2 shoes, Cateye wireless computer.

Summary:
I tested everyting in the $1000-$1400 range and this was the best bike to be found. It came with a triple chain ring but my LBS exchanged it for the Shimano 18 chainring and Shimano front and rear derailleur for free, only a minimal labor charge. All of the components are brushed alluminum to match the bike. LOOKS GREAT!!!!
I have had minimal trouble thus far, the wheels are a touch out of true, but nothin'I can't handle with a spoke wrench and truing stand. I'm 6'2" and 215lbs. a little warp is to be expected. Overall the bike is smooth and fast, a great buy. For everyone complaining about the wheelset, learn to true your wheels, you'll save a ton, no matter what wheelset you have.

Strengths:
Lite, fast, responsive, shimano 105 components. LOOKS EXPENSIVE!

Weaknesses:
brakes are sketchy.

Similar Products Used:
tested Trek, Cannondale, and Giant (blah) in this price range.

Price Paid:  $925.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Sunday afternoon, 4PM from good LBS

Bike Setup:
Thomson Elite seatpost, Selle Italia Flite Ti Gel Saddle, Shimano M520 pedals, cheopo computer, freebie rear wheel, all else stock.

Summary:
This bike has me really perplexed. I love road riding and the feel of this bike has been great, but I HATE the wheels. The real 105 components have worked well, but the knockoffs aren't so great. The brakes squeel no matter how they are adjusted. The carbon fiber seatpost wouldn't stay put no matter what I did to it. I eventually tightened it so much that I cracked it (and it still didn't stay where I put it.) I didn't notice it was cracked until I pulled it out to replace it.

I got a great deal on the 2003 model as the 2004s were starting to come in. I had read the reviews here that said to replace the wheels. I asked my LBS about it and they said they'd never had any problems with them so I took a chance and bought it anyway. That was a mistake. In the first 300 miles I had to true the rear wheel 5 times and this wasn't a minor wobble either. Then the final straw was 30 miles into my local MS150 it broke a spoke. Another LBS doing SAG gave me a new wheel and I've been using it since. Guess what? No problems in 400 more miles. My LBS warranteed the original but I'm not putting it back on the bike. I'm keeping the freebie.

I've spoken to two other people with the same model and they've both had the same problems. One gentleman had his warranteed twice and his LBS finally built him a new set. He wasn't a big guy either.

Bottom line. Don't, I repeat Do Not buy this bike with the stock wheels.

Overall the feel of this bike is great for a first time roadie. The 105 components work well and I'm glad I didn't buy a bike with the Tiagra level shifters. I test rode a few and the 105 shifters are just more comfortable and crisper shifting.

If I had to do it again I don't think I'd buy this bike and I'd definitely buy from a shop that supported local roadies better.

Strengths:
105 components, carbon fiber fork, light weight, good price. When it works well, its a great ride and very enjoyable.

Weaknesses:
WHEELS! WHEELS! WHEELS! as well as the carbon fiber seatpost, cheap knockoff brakes, and uncomfortable saddle.

Similar Products Used:
None, except test rides of other bikes in a similar price range.

Price Paid:  $1050.00 at Pittsburgh Pro Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Central Park

Bike Setup:
Stock with Shimano Flight Deck SC-6501.

Summary:
This bike is an extremely good buy for the price. You get Shimano 105 components (except the Specialized crank and brakes), a very light frame, and a carbon fork and seatpost that do a decent job of muting road vibrations. The store didn't have an Elite 24, so I had to go with the triple chainring. This bike is a great buy and I'm putting a lot of miles on it...

Strengths:
Extremely light frame, Shimano 105 groupo.

Weaknesses:
Not in love with the Specialized crank/brakes, nor do I have a need for the triple chainring.

Similar Products Used:
LeMond Tourmalet.

Price Paid:  $999.00 at high Gear Cyclery, S

Bike Setup:
Speedplay x2 pedals

Summary:
So far I love this bike- The weight, 19.5 lbs is phenomenal and is like riding a glider compared to my old Bianchi Premio - The 105 Gruppo is fairly smooth, although I have the triple ring which is a waste. No problems with the wheelset yet, but it's early. Love the 105 shifters. The bike is responsive and (again compared to my old Bianchi) handles like a sportscar. Added Speedplay x2's and I love those as well. Used to ride on Looks, but the sspeedplays ae so simple and I like the freedom of movement.

Carbon Seat Post and fork really dampen the vibration-

Strengths:
Weight- Full 105 gruppo - (Rare at this price -) Carbon seatpost and fork

Weaknesses:
None found so far- Triple CR is a waste of weight on this bike

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Premio, LeMond Nevada City, Cannondale R300