Specialized Allez A1 Sport

Price Paid:  $839.00 at WAYNE'S WHEELS

Favorite Ride:
Roas by PIR

Bike Setup:
STOCK + CLIPLESS PEDALS, SPECIALIZED COMPUTER AND A KICK@#$ BOTTLE CAGE I GOT FROM SPECIALIZED.

Summary:
I USE THIS BIKE TO STAY IN SHAPE FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING AND FIND MYSELF WANTING TO RIDE IT MORE OFTEN THAN MY MOUNTAIN BIKE. IT'S A GREAT VALUE AND I WOULD DROP THE MONEY FOR IT AGAIN IN A HEART-BEAT. LOVE THE LOOK, FEEL AND RIDE.

Strengths:
CARBON FORK, FRAME GEOMETRY, BUTTER-LIKE FEEL OF THE RIDE.

Weaknesses:
NO CLIPLESS PEDAL, TEH HFOLLOWING YEAR'S MODEL SEEMS TO IMPROVE ON AN ALREADY GREAT BIKE.

Similar Products Used:
FUJI ACE.

Price Paid:  $675.00 at Bicycle Village

Favorite Ride:
Country roads

Bike Setup:
Specialized Comp. Computer, SPD Pedals,

Summary:
I purchased the bike as a late model but has good components such as Tiagra and rear 105 deraileurs.

Strengths:
The Flight Deck is Awesome, this bike is light and fast. Very good hill climber. Carbon Fiber Fork added bonus.

Weaknesses:
Coasting Speed is lower than some bikes.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Tourmalet, Lemond Alpe'De Huez. Giant OCR-3, Trek 1200,

Price Paid:  $875.00 at Outspoken Bikeshop

Favorite Ride:
Rolling hills of Clermont, FL

Bike Setup:
Stock: all Tiegra except 105 at rear derailleur, carbon fork.
added: Mavic SSC SL wheel set.

Summary:
great entry level race bike. I did my first Duathlon in April, 2003. will ride in many sprint triathlon this summer. it is a great starter bike. the upgraded wheels help a lot. great bike for training as well. I ride with riders who rides Lightspeed, Softtail, Trek and Cannondale. I am right there with them.

Strengths:
stiff frame, good carbon fork, very good value. no need to upgrade any components.

Weaknesses:
I didn't win my age group. (it was me, not the bike). 2003 model has lower level of specs. shifting is good. it can be a little less "clunky".

Similar Products Used:
Allez Sport is my first road bike and I plan to ride it for a while. my MTB is a Cannondale Scapel. which I ride more often than road bike. 3:1 ratio.

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Evans

Favorite Ride:
Quiet country roads with good tarmac!

Bike Setup:
Stock: 105 set up, Ritchey stem and bars, Mavic wheels, Specialised saddle, SPD pedals

Summary:
My first non MTB since I was a kid and it's great. Wanted a good frame that is upgradeable and this certainly is. Relatively light but not too much flex so I can still 'honk' up the hills. Excellent entry level road bike

Strengths:
Frame, 105 set

Weaknesses:
Integrated gear/brake levers feel a little flimsy - but had no actual problems with it. No clipless pedals

Similar Products Used:
Giant

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I use this bike on weekends and oftentimes for my daily commute (if the chances of precipitation is nil). This is a great bike... I have logged 2000+ kms on it (city streets and country roads) and I had no problems so far despite being in a serious crash once after I got cut off by a car (my helmet broke as my head hit the pavement hard).

This bike is great for climbing hills as I could stand on it at a higher gear without feeling any flex from the frame whatsoever. The Tiagra drivetrain (105 rear derailleur) also shifts smoothly.

This bike is definitely upgradebable... I plan to upgrade the wheelset next year even though the stock Aero Alexrims look good and perform flawlessly.

Strengths:
High quality Aluminum Frame. Kinesis Carbon fork. Good looks specially with the combination black rims, spoke and chain rings.

Weaknesses:
Does not come with clipless pedals but I got a pair for free from my LBS.