Specialized Transition Expert

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Waikiki to Heart Attack Hill

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace drive train
Ultegra brakes
Neuvation Aero wheelset

Summary:
Stiff and comfortable. This is my first TT bike. I had been riding a road bike converted to a Tri/TT bike. I thought that I'd be uncomfortable with the aggressive TT positioning, but this bike is comfortable enough that I stayed in my aero position majority of the time for the Century that I did.

Strengths:
Comfortable and stiff. Light and aero for an aluminum frame

Weaknesses:
It's my first TT bike so I have nothing to compare it to. So no complaints here.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at bicycle generation

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Weston at sunrise

Bike Setup:
Zipp 404's front and back, seat hydration set-up.

Summary:
This is actually a 2008, purchased 3/09 at $1000 savings. I love this bike. I just upgraded from a Trek 1200 (2001) aluminum with aero bar clip-ons to this beautiful bike. I'm still keeping it in the house, can't stand to put it in the garage just yet. My speed increased 2-3 MPH with no extra effort. It's a head turner too. I'm passing people now that used to speed past me. I have the small, fits 5'6" female comfortably.

Strengths:
Style, weight, comfort.

Weaknesses:
Has taken several tries to get the fit down.

Similar Products Used:
None. This is my first Tri-bike.

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at Specialized

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Roto'orangi NZ

Bike Setup:
Transition Expert, Ultegra 10 speed, ultegra brakes, Durace bar end shifters, Shimano R560 wheels and Shimano compact cranks.

Summary:
This was my first time trial bike, having done a few seasons of club racing and the occasional TT, and eanted to have a go with proper set-up. I have little experience to go by, but I have found this bike amazing - good stiffness and very comfortable. Totally converted me to riding in the aero position - I'm 5'10" on a 54cm frame, which makes it a reasonably aggressive set-up. Taken several minutes off a 28km rolling ride.

Strengths:
Stiff frame, very aero, comfortable and looks great. Fantastic Specialized Tri-specific saddle.

Weaknesses:
The seat post seems to lower on its own - had to put tape on it. Not a biggie. Would like to upgrade the wheels at some point.

Similar Products Used:
Normally ride a Giant OCR Comp with Ultegra, before that Giant OCR Zero, before that Easton frame.