Specialized Allez Vita

Price Paid:  $325.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Boise to Lake Owyhee Oregon

Bike Setup:
Everything is stock, except the previous owner put a ultegra 11-25 cassette on the rear for climbing. Profile Aero bars came with it and a Cateye Cadence computer. I just put a set of Continental Gatorskin tires on it and it increased the handling noticably on sharp downhills.

Summary:
This bike is incredible for the price. Light, great mid-range components, sexy looking colors ("ron" burgundy/silver) and handles downhills like a jet fighter. I love it. I have a heavy seat (350 grams) on it and it is still about 19.5 lbs stock. I am a 170 lbs man, but the 54cm frame and compact geometry fits my 5'7" body really well.

Strengths:
light weight, solid quiet shifting, smooth ride

Weaknesses:
I have to fiddle with the derailer settings often to keep the 3 ring quiet. Thinking of going to a compact crank for weight and noise reduction. Original Tires are flat magnets, but they do have over 2000 miles on them.

Similar Products Used:
2004 Specialized Allez Triple

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Bikesource

Favorite Ride:
Tour De Sewickley

Summary:
Every small woman should tru this bike on for size. It is truly a good fit. The PETITE of bikes.

Strengths:
Fitting

Weaknesses:
Deraillier.
Shifting has never been consistant. Doesn't seem to hold an adjustment. As a result the chain comes off randomly and inconveniently. Has become a safety issue.

Similar Products Used:
TREK MT. BIKE

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Gift

Favorite Ride:
Central Park (for now)

Bike Setup:
Had to cut the seat post a little; replaced pedals for clipless (Shimano PD-R600) and replaced saddle with Terry Firefly (only real noticeable difference so far has been the weight).

Summary:
My fiance bought me this bike over the summer and I think it's great. I am 5'1" and ride a 44 cm bike. It is light and not too stiff. The components it came with are good for its price range (ultegra rear derailleur and ultegra short-reach shifters). It seems like a better deal than the Allez Dolce because you get the same frame for much less and you can upgrade your components at your own pace (and budget). I am new to road biking so I wanted to ride a bit before I decided which components were worth upgrading, etc. I may switch to a double crankset because I don't seem to need the triple and I am having a little bit of trouble with the front (Tiagra) derailleur dropping to the innermost ring unintentionally during halfshifts going up hills. (I have been accused of excessive shifting by my fiance so it might just be me -- either way, the double crankset should rectify the problem). Did the 30-mile MS Society bike tour and had absolutely no problems with shifting or the bike, but it was a pretty flat course.

Strengths:
Great value, great bike.

Weaknesses:
I thought the handle bar felt a little wide -- I had the LBR replace the stock handlebar with a narrower Bianchi one.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Capital Bicycle

Favorite Ride:
Maryland and Delaware

Summary:
What an amazing bike. I had tried many others (Treck, Raleigh, Giant, others) in my search for the perfect bike. I tried this one, and decided on it within minutes. It fits great, is extremely comfortable for my small frame (5'2").

Strengths:
Very light and comfortable. Saddle is excellent. Short handlebar works great for my arms, hands and fingers.

Weaknesses:
None whatsoever yet.

Price Paid:  $1049.00 at Eddy's Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
any road

Bike Setup:
I switched to clipless pedals the day I bought it.

Summary:
There are not many small bikes available for short people out there(I'm 5'2), and after test riding the vita, I knew it was for me. Everything was just my size. The seat post was trimmed about an inch to accomadate me.
My first ride on it was for 30 miles. The saddle was very comfortable.

Strengths:
Great fit, and easy to reach for breaks/shifters. This bike is great for short, petite women.

Weaknesses:
Hard to fit on the car bike rack due to the short tube length. Water bottles are hard to get in and out, due to frame size.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale mountain bike