Specialized Allez Comp 18

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Bicycles Inc

Favorite Ride:
Joe Pool Lake Route

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace (9 sp) / Ultegra Brakes / Ksyrium SSC wheelset / Thomson Elite seat post / ITM bars / Shimano PD 7750 pedals (the Lance pedal)

Summary:
FIRST: This review is for the FRAME only. I purchased this frame/fork because I have had excellent luck with Specialized in the past and this frame happened to be my size and the last one in the shop and had a great price on it. I actyally went in to buy some bibs.

This is my first ever compact geometry frame, Int the past I just thought they looked too wimpy, but now I must say I was wrong. So Yeah, I couldnt be happier, It reminds me so much of my 1999 Allez Pro in the way it feels and responds.

CONSIDER: Mine isnt set up stock like they sell in the shop, this could bias my overall review, but i am trying to do it from a frame only perspective.

Strengths:
Anyway, it rides like I expected it to. When I get up and torque it, it responds like I want it to, when I am doing 40+ down the few big hills here, it is smooth with no vibrations, it climbs well, and it looks totally cool.

Weaknesses:
Its a Specialized Frame, in my 6+ years experience with Specialized I havent found a weakness yet. They know what they are doing.

NOTE: This bike has an integrated FSA headset, I personally would prefer a Chris King non integrated headset. But, this isnt a Specialized weakness in the frame and that is what I am reviewing.

Similar Products Used:
Currently own a 1999 Specialized Allez Pro, and a Quattro Assi Team 2000 Rocket.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at The Bike Shop Kailua

Favorite Ride:
Tantalus Drive Oahu

Bike Setup:
ITM Millenium Wing Bar Handlebars, Shimano SPD pedels, D/A Shifters, f and r derailers, 10spd casset, Fiz'ik Arione saddle

Summary:
When I was looking to get back into the sport I went out looking at all the standard middle to high-end bikes and origanally got caught up with the bad ass zebra stripes (which all my friends make fun of me for). This bike rides awesome it doesnt matter if your climbing or just spinning out on the open road. It's great bike with a great componant set.

Strengths:
Affordability
Frame
Full Ultegra

Weaknesses:
The Seat Sucks

Similar Products Used:
Nothing new just a few old 10/18 speed schwinns

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
The long one

Summary:
Great bike. I do get alot of flack from the local hicks here in Central, PA for the zebra stripes. I was going to buy a Cannondale until I found out the Specialized had the same components for $300 less. Very light bike for the price. Unless your riding in The Tour this is all the bike you'll ever need.

Strengths:
Just about everything. The only component I've switched out was the saddle.

Weaknesses:
I put about 2000 miles on the bike last year and ripped through the pair of Cippo tires. Seat is terrible.

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at SMC

Favorite Ride:
Ahwatukee Foothills

Bike Setup:
Stock Allez Comp 18 except for Terry Fly saddle and Dave's Speed Dream Aerolite wheelset. Also added Profile Airstrike aerobars, Speedplay X/2 pedals.

Summary:
This is my first road bike since high school, so I shopped and compared quite a bit. I ended up with the Allez comp primarily due to the good bang-for-the-buck, the good ride, and it fit me reasonably well. This is an excellent bike for anyone wanting to ride fast, either recreationally or racing. It has a fair bit of versatility as well. I have comfortably ridden 3 centuries, and with aero bars, it makes a decent tri bike. This bike will eventually be my dedicated tri bike after I get a custom frame for road racing/training.

Strengths:
Excellent ride: Do not fear the aluminum
Good value, especially compared to Trek 5200
Great looks (black & white zebra job)
Nice parts spec (except for weaknesses listed below)
Reasonably light weight (wheel upgrade will help here if you can swing it)

Weaknesses:
Shimano 540 wheelset: Rides nice, but I broke 2 spokes in first 6 months. They are also fairly heavy, and they taco if you break a spoke. I just couldn't trust them, so I upgraded to a set of Dave's Speed Dream wheels.
Stock seat is horrible.
Oversized handlebar makes fitting aerobars, computers, lights tricky.
High speed shimmy: I have the 61cm frame, and it shimmies pretty bad hands off, and will also develop a high speed wobble over 45 mph. It was controllable, but it scared me.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at UK

Favorite Ride:
This bike

Bike Setup:
Standard except for Ksyrium SSC SL, ITM The Stem and USE Alien carbon aero seatpost.

Summary:
My first decent road bike after riding MTB for 3 yrs. This bike is reasonably light in a 58cm frame. The standard R540 wheels, stem and seatpost have been changed and this bike now rides and looks superb. I have not seen many bikes that look this sexy with the zebra paint and black Ksyriums SL's. A match made in heaven! I chose the black SL's over the new silver SL's cos they look so good on this bike.

Strengths:
Ultegra group, looks.

Weaknesses:
None really at the price.