Specialized 2001 A1 Sport Road Older Road Bike

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 13  
[Aug 10, 2002]
Christopher Paton
Triathlete

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Strength:

Beautiful golden yellow paintjob! Really stands out! 105 components (apart from chainset) Comfy saddle (in my opinion)

Weakness:

Damn wheels. Paintjob scratches easily :( Rear derailler hanger rubbish

[Price is in £GBP] Firstly I got this bike in a sale as it was a 2001 model and they had to get rid of it. For 105 components it was, and still is, a superb bargain. I did have a problem with the front forks being bent (couldn't get the wheel out) but I got a free upgrade to carbon forks (apparently this was a rare problem of which I was about the 3rd occurance so don't worry). To riterate other comments here, I must say the wheels are poor. Nice Mavic rims but they go out of true at the drop of a hat and I've broken 3 spokes so far. Also my rear derailler hanger is pretty useless as it lost a screw v. quickly and now falls out when I take the wheel out (must fix this). And final niggle is the clearance for both wheels is tight. But it IS a lovely bike nonetheless, just get new wheels!

Similar Products Used:

None really, only my old Peugeuot with no STI.

[Jun 16, 2002]
LoneWolf
Recreational Rider

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Strength:

Fast. Light. Looks and rides like it cost a lot more. Mostly good components. Comfortable.

Weakness:

Cheap seatpost clamp. Should have used 105 hubs instead of Ritchey. Safety tips on the Kinesis Carbon 2 fork hinder fast front-wheel changes. Changed the Body Geometry Pro saddle out for an SI Flite Gel (but everyone's butt has a different opinion). I'm nit-picking really, because I really do love the bike.

I've put a few hundred miles on this bike already, and I can say, it's a sheer joy to ride. Light, responsive, shifts great, and comfortable. The 62cm ovalized aluminum tubing doesn't flex even though I can pound cranks (6'4", 195lbs, 37" inseam) and it looks and feels aero. Handles well, and isn't harsh. Goes really fast (I'm in the big chainring most of the time). Awesome paint job. I can't comment on the wheelset, as the former rider had them rebuilt with Wheelsmith spokes instead of Specialized, and Mavic Open Pro rims (but I'd think of that as an indicator). The crankset is admittedly Specialized, but has a true one-key release (which the 105 crank lacks) and is equivalent, using the 105 bottom bracket (I switched to Ultegra crank & BB because I got a deal). I'd have preferred 105 hubs to the Ritchey ones, but they seem to work just fine, and at least have rubber boots to keep out grit. 1.125" threadless headset setup is a nice touch. Carbon fork is light, but not flexy (but needs to lose the safety tips, even though it saves $$$ on lawsuits).

Similar Products Used:

80's Miyata road bike, Schwinn/Paramount 564 Aluminum

[Jun 12, 2002]
pnitefly
Road Racer

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Strength:

Geometry, Well tuned frame, 105 group

Weakness:

Wheelset SUCKS, so-so crank and seatpost

I bought this bike for mountain bike training. However, it is a joy to ride and I am actually becoming a roadie because of the bike. I am really impressed with the price and included components. Of course the crank and seatpost need to go and I am glad specialized skimped on those components(as most riders replace those things anyway on most bikes) to make room for the 105 hardware. As I am new to road bikes I have found 105 to be very reliable. The frame geometry seems to fit me very well 73" and 185#. I feel more stretched out and comfortable. I tried the Giant TCR and I felt like I was in the fetal position the whole ride! The frame is worthy of upgrades and with some planning and research you can build quite a road burner. Now, the bad news. The wheelset SUCKS! Very fragile and harsh ride! I have already broken 6 spokes on 2 different occasions getting stranded miles out. Not very happy about that. Specialized warranteed the repairs but I finally got tired of the breakdowns and got Bontrager race lites. Awesome! but that is another review...

Similar Products Used:

Giant TCR, numerous Trek bikes

[May 10, 2002]
The Viking
Recreational Rider

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Strength:

Frame geometry & quality welds

Weakness:

Spokes! I broke 2 within 300 miles and the dealer re-laced the rear wheel under warranty. Saddle, tried to live with it hoping it would brake in, had to replace it after a month. Pedals are extra.

An off the peg bike with an entry level price. I was very impressed by the paint job and smooth welds and after the test ride I had to buy it. My average speed has increased and it eats hills, although I''m not sure how much is due to the new bike or my previous bike being too small. I''m 6''1" & 80kg (180 lb).

Similar Products Used:

Raleigh

[Apr 30, 2002]
schmitty13
Road Racer

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Strength:

Carbon fork is nice. Frame and componentry are solid. Looks good. I needed a mid-level ride for Little 500 training and some racing. She doesn''t know it yet, but she''s getting me cross-country this summer, too.

Weakness:

The wheels. And a lot of people have said it, so I originally wasn''t going to mention anything. BUT, after I snapped four spokes in the first 3 months (all on the rear), I couldn''t take it anymore (even with all repairs under warranty). I had just the spoke replaced after the first two spokes snapped. After the third, I had the entire wheel relaced. After the fourth, I bought new wheels to ride. At 6''3" and 170 pounds, I''m not exactly what you call fat, either.

Everything I need for a price I could manage. Once I replaced the wheels, it''s been perfect.

Similar Products Used:

Cannondale R800, Raleigh R700

[Dec 12, 2001]
Roadfrog
Commuter

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Strength:

Stiff, strong frame and solid components- Good looking bike (yellow and blue)

Weakness:

A little heavy and the paint job is a little sloppy

Quite comfortable for such a stiff frame, guess the carbon fork helps. For me, this bike does everything that I can ask for... I commute to work every day, and on the weekends I take extended rides. Can''t really say how many miles I have put on it(had it from last Feburary), but I have not had any problems with the wheels... guess I got lucky!

Similar Products Used:

A Trek 1200 about 8 years ago

[Nov 20, 2001]
j4knee
Recreational Rider

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Strength:

Frame stiffness, 105 Groupo is good for me I can log the miles and know it s dependable. I was custom fit so this bike just feels like its an extension of my body. Color I normally hate yellow but this one just caught my eye. PRICE!!! Biggest value for the money. Smooth welds make this bike aesthetics as apeasing as Trek, Cannondale...Much better componentry for the price.

Weakness:

Cheap crappy rear derailure hanger, had to have it replaced inside of the first two weeks. Crankset/Botton bracket prep. Had to take it back to Supergo to have it repacked, it was almost dry from the factory. Shame on Specialized!!!!! I do see a Wheel set upgrade in my future but not yet. No spoke problems here though and I am a big rider, 225 lbs.

This is an excellent bike for me. I am not a century type yet, hope to be one day. It is resposive fairly light weight and stiff. The bike is solid, I feel like all of my downstroke force translates into forward motion. The bike looks sharp and sleek, even without the fastback geometry.

Similar Products Used:

Nishiki, Cannondale, I owned the Nishiki, wanted the Cannodale until I road the Specialized.

[Jul 02, 2001]
Anonymous
Road Racer

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
Strength:

Great frame , nice smooth welds .105 groupset fine for my standards , nice looking stem n bars

Weakness:

saddle not very comfortable, cheapo specialized seat pin needs replacing.
Specialized crank looks a bit dodgy to me .

This is a great bike for people new to road bikes like myself , the saddle may wear in in time who knows ...
The bike is pretty light, looks good, and the frame is worthy of further upgrades . As for the mavic rims no spoke problems for me so far touch wood !

Similar Products Used:

Cannondales and bianchis

[Jun 11, 2001]
Anonymous
Triathlete

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Strength:

Great component mix. The 105 setup is great for the novice road rider, myself included. The knesis c/f fork helps a bunch over the ruff stuff. The somewhat stiff frame goes from 0 to fast in the blink of an eye. The yellow paint job is pretty eye catching too, not that color should be the deciding factor when purchasing a bike. Especially when going over the $1,ooo mark. Great at cornering, pretty short wheelbase lets you really lean it over and carve a nice arc.

Weakness:

The wheels!!! Specialized thought they fixed the problems they had last year with all the broken spokes but I've busted 3 of em. Problem solved thanks to a great LBS who gave me a better rear wheel. The bike isn't the lightest thing either. Other than that its fantasic.

Great first road bike, great secondary road bike too. If you are shopping for a fast bike and you don't want to give away an arm and a leg check this bike out. I highly recommend it. Just make sure to ask your shop what they will do for you when you break and spoke or 3.

Similar Products Used:

Bunch of other bikes in the same price range and lower.

[Aug 07, 2001]
Anonymous
Triathlete

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
Strength:

One of the few brands that makes a bike big enough for me (6'5"). I did not have to lift the seat post to the sun. I like the Specialized name as well. This was one of the bikes that had kept the classic diamond shape. I do not care for the fast back design . The 105's componentry is great, weight is negligible to me at this point. It is my second road bike and I am just now really riding longer distances 30 to 40 miles 2 or 3 times week

Weakness:

Damn back wheel, had 6 spokes break, then had back wheel relaced, then two more broke, then a final relace.... Thank God for the folks at the Bike Shop. Really treated me well. The other problem I had was with this bike is the saddle. It is not kind at all. I moved to the Coda and plan on going to the Okatavia.

Great bike. fits me well recommend this bike to taller folks that want to be fitted correctly. Plan on changing spokes, so talk to the bike store about upgrading to 14 gauge rather than the 15 that comes with it. Gave it a 3 for value do to the wheel and making me go in for all the time

Similar Products Used:

Trek 2000,

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