Bike Setup: Completely stock with Ultegra components.
Summary: I bought this bike just out of college and was looking for the biggest bang for my buck. I believe that I lucked out on this deal!!! I have about 10k miles on this bike and other than routine maintenance, I have only needed to replace a shifter-a car issue not a manufacturer issue. I have ridden it daily as a commuter (25 one way), have done many 60-75 mile rides, and even a couple of century rides on it. The bike is nice and stiff, since I am 6 feet and 190lbs, I can put a lot of torque on the crankset, but it has never flinched or tweaked underneath me.
Strengths: Bang for your buck
Reliability
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Favorite Ride: LBS outings, 30 milers twice a week
Bike Setup: Specialized compact race design, E5 AEROTEC, fully double-butted, heat-treated tubing, FACT advanced composite seat stays with Zertz inserts
FORK--Specialized Carbon Speed Zertz, bonded carbon fiber legs, carbon crown, carbon steerer
HEADSET -- Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8? integrated threadless, with triple sealed cartridge bearings, carbon cone with 2 each 5mm spacers
STEM -- Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt
HANDLEBARS--Specialized Pro, carbon racing drop, 31.8mm diameter
TAPE / GRIPS
Body Geometry, thin Bar Phat, cork ribbon
FRONT BRAKE --Shimano Ultegra
REAR BRAKE --Shimano Ultegra
BRAKE LEVERS --Shimano Dura-Ace, STI
FRONT DERAILLEUR --Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull, double
REAR DERAILLEUR--Shimano Dura-Ace, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS --Shimano Dura-Ace, STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE--Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed, 11x23t
CHAIN--Shimano Dura-Ace
Summary: This is an excellent 20lb. bike. It is stiff to the point of slight twitchiness and as a midlevel 60 miles-per-week rider, I find myself able to race competently on this bike. The Ti paint scheme is great, and it was the last year one could get this bike with Dura Ace and Ultegra components. I think the '06 was built with 105 components. So far I have been very pleased with this bike. The seat is not particularly forgiving on longer rides, but the bike jumps when the power is hammered down into the cranks. I mean, jumps. I can literally feel my rear wheel skip when I do burst accelerations. Also, watch out for muscle fatigue on this bike. I burned out my legs on an intense and fast climb and my legs started shaking and the whole bike started vibrating from side-to-side and skipping on the road like I was riding on sand. There is is a testament to the bikes stiffness. It feels everything and translates EVERYTHING! I upgraded the tires and that is all. A very good product that you will be happy with!
Strengths: Stiff. 20-21 lbs. Responsive. Excellent components. Excellent and efficient power transfer from the pedal to the wheel. Great sprinter. Tight geometry makes it quick to turn. You can really throw this bike side-to-side in a sprint.
Weaknesses: Seat could be more comfortable. Tires were mediocre.
Similar Products Used: None. This is my first real road bike.
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Bike Setup: full ultegra comp,shimano wheels,mavic tires,toupe team saddle,
Summary: Good frame design,comfortable to ride in long distance and uphill.
all my friend which are using giant's and litespeed bikes,are agree with the good things of this bike.
so if you are in $1000-$1500,kind of guys take this bike you 'll be surprise with the smoothest,powerfull,lightest feeling.
Strengths: responsive
Weaknesses: i can,t find it
Similar Products Used: giant
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Bike Setup: Mavic Axiom wheelset, All 105 components, Specialized Pro tires.
Summary: Had been riding a 1976 Peugot PR-10 w/ Reynolds 531 aluminum frame. It was good quality 30 yrs ago but I decided it was time to take advantage of the new technologies. Took me a season of riding to actually take the plunge & was then faced with trying to sort through the many choices in this price range. Did all the research (magazines, on-line, friends, etc) & then settled on the recurring theme from all this advice...get what feels right. I checked with various LBS & test rode a number of bikes. Finally concluded that I couldn't really justify the additional cost for what felt like nominal differences between components (Ultegra vs 105) since they were all such a huge upgrade for me. Narrowed it down to the Cannondale & Allez compact. Test rode them back to back to back & am very pleased with the choice. The Allez felt more responsive going up a steep hill & more stable going back down. It had a softer ride, yet seem to want to surge forward more when I got on it. I've got about 300 miles on it now & am very pleaseed with the way it handles/rides. I did swap the seat out because it was so uncomfortable. Using my old split leather seat added the comfort I needed & softened the ride further. This bike shifts smoothly & accurately...a blessing on the hills (vs the friction shifters on my Peugot). I dropped about 7 #s of weight from my old frame & have seen my speed/time go up. I'm looking forward to the sprint triathlon season to see how much of an impact this new ride will have.
Strengths: Lightweight, responsive, smooth, comfortable. Good bike for speed & distance.
Weaknesses: Only the seat. Carbon is lightweight but it's painful after only 10 miles.
Similar Products Used: Test rode Cannondale, Felt, Trek, Fuji & Novarra.
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Bike Setup: Full Ultegra 9 speed double. Nuevation M28 Aero wheelset. Hutchinson Fuzion Long Distance tires.
180 pound, 18+ mph rider.
Summary: I love this bike. I've averaged about 2,000 miles a year for the last three seasons and I couldn't be happier. I've ridden it in many centuries as well as the Harpoon Brewery ride. (136 miles at 19.1 mph!)
It's fast, comfortable and quite a good looker. It is the "titanium gray" paint scheme. Mine was on the floor as a triple, but the nice people at Wheelworks converted it to a double for my purchase.
The bike fits me well. All Specialized products seem to. (Cannondales do not.) I was able to test ride the bike in aluminum and steel and chose the aluminum. It just wants to GO! It’s very exciting. The steel was too soft.
It does everything well. It climbs reliably. It descends with authority and cruises the flats smoothly and with grace.
I did only get about 3,000 miles out of the Shimano R540 wheelset. I've since put on a set of Neuvation M28 Aeros. (Check them out!)
I love to ride and I love to climb. I put in a decent amount of miles each season. I don’t see needing more of a bike than this. An excellent value.
Strengths: Stiff yet all-day comfortable.
Excellent value with full Ultegra (at least it was in 2003)
Quick handling, yet not nerve-racking.
Fast, yet fast.
Did I mention it's a good looker. Mine is all black, gray and polish.
Weaknesses: Shimano 540 wheels were squishy and I killed them after only 3,000 miles or-so.
Toes overlap front wheel swing, making it hard to do track stands. This tightness makes for an excellent performer though.
Frame welds ain't too pretty to look at.
Similar Products Used: Canondale
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