Strengths: Reliability and toughness. I know, sounds dull, but there's nothing worse than a bike that stops functioning perfectly mid-ride. I also like the road feedback from the frame, and the bike climbs really well.
Weaknesses: For me, none. I think if you're after a buttery ride, though, you'd want to look elsewhere: it's pretty good for alloy, but the straight seatstays and tight frame do give a lot of feedback.
Bottom Line:
I've owned this bike 6 years (since 2004, when I bought it in a sale), and I just keep coming back to it, despite the come-hither attractions of slinky carbon frames. I've ridden it through the Alps for a week (more than once), trained on it through winter, left it locked up outside the pool in the rain, and crashed on it more than once. I don't think any of the original bike is left, barring the frame and fork, but it still keeps the same character: a snappy, exciting, reliable ride.
Similar Products Used: Wilier Izoard, Colnago Master.
Bike Setup: It started stock. Then I put Ksyrium SLs on it, then the seatpost cracked in a crash and I put a Deda one on, plus a Selle Italia saddle (can't remember the name, but quite a fancy one). And just recently I swapped the old silver Ultegra groupset for a new Ultegra SL Grey one I had in the garage. Oh, and a set of Ritchey WCS bars and stem.
Strengths: Anyway, it rides like I expected it to. When I get up and torque it, it responds like I want it to, when I am doing 40+ down the few big hills here, it is smooth with no vibrations, it climbs well, and it looks totally cool.
Weaknesses: Its a Specialized Frame, in my 6+ years experience with Specialized I havent found a weakness yet. They know what they are doing.
NOTE: This bike has an integrated FSA headset, I personally would prefer a Chris King non integrated headset. But, this isnt a Specialized weakness in the frame and that is what I am reviewing.
Bottom Line:
FIRST: This review is for the FRAME only. I purchased this frame/fork because I have had excellent luck with Specialized in the past and this frame happened to be my size and the last one in the shop and had a great price on it. I actyally went in to buy some bibs.
This is my first ever compact geometry frame, Int the past I just thought they looked too wimpy, but now I must say I was wrong. So Yeah, I couldnt be happier, It reminds me so much of my 1999 Allez Pro in the way it feels and responds.
CONSIDER: Mine isnt set up stock like they sell in the shop, this could bias my overall review, but i am trying to do it from a frame only perspective.
When I was looking to get back into the sport I went out looking at all the standard middle to high-end bikes and origanally got caught up with the bad ass zebra stripes (which all my friends make fun of me for). This bike rides awesome it doesnt matter if your climbing or just spinning out on the open road. It's great bike with a great componant set.
Strengths: Just about everything. The only component I've switched out was the saddle.
Weaknesses: I put about 2000 miles on the bike last year and ripped through the pair of Cippo tires. Seat is terrible.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. I do get alot of flack from the local hicks here in Central, PA for the zebra stripes. I was going to buy a Cannondale until I found out the Specialized had the same components for $300 less. Very light bike for the price. Unless your riding in The Tour this is all the bike you'll ever need.
Strengths: Excellent ride: Do not fear the aluminum
Good value, especially compared to Trek 5200
Great looks (black & white zebra job)
Nice parts spec (except for weaknesses listed below)
Reasonably light weight (wheel upgrade will help here if you can swing it)
Weaknesses: Shimano 540 wheelset: Rides nice, but I broke 2 spokes in first 6 months. They are also fairly heavy, and they taco if you break a spoke. I just couldn't trust them, so I upgraded to a set of Dave's Speed Dream wheels.
Stock seat is horrible.
Oversized handlebar makes fitting aerobars, computers, lights tricky.
High speed shimmy: I have the 61cm frame, and it shimmies pretty bad hands off, and will also develop a high speed wobble over 45 mph. It was controllable, but it scared me.
Bottom Line:
This is my first road bike since high school, so I shopped and compared quite a bit. I ended up with the Allez comp primarily due to the good bang-for-the-buck, the good ride, and it fit me reasonably well. This is an excellent bike for anyone wanting to ride fast, either recreationally or racing. It has a fair bit of versatility as well. I have comfortably ridden 3 centuries, and with aero bars, it makes a decent tri bike. This bike will eventually be my dedicated tri bike after I get a custom frame for road racing/training.
Bike Setup: Stock Allez Comp 18 except for Terry Fly saddle and Dave's Speed Dream Aerolite wheelset. Also added Profile Airstrike aerobars, Speedplay X/2 pedals.
I have an opportunity to get this bike. I just don't know what it's value would be.
I don't know the year. I'm not sure if the name establishes the year or not. Sorry for the l Read More »
