Specialized Allez Comp Cr-Mo 18

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at spindoctor bartlett

Favorite Ride:
specialized allez comp cr-mo18

Bike Setup:
STOCK

Summary:
This bike is amazing! Having upgraded in summer of '04 from a 1991 Trek 1200, the difference in ride qaulity was astounding. I test rode several aluminum bikes is this price range and they could not compare. Getting a $400 discount (due to the fact that it was an '03 model) made it an even greater deal. I put in several hundred miles between August and November and it still feels like brand new. Haven't even had to adjust any moving parts!

Strengths:
STEEL IS REAL!

Weaknesses:
BARS ARE A LITTLE WIDE

Similar Products Used:
TREK 1200
GIANT TCR AERO

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at spindoctor cyclewerk

Favorite Ride:
specialized allez comp cr-mo18

Bike Setup:
STOCK

Summary:
This bike is amazing! Having upgraded in summer of '04 from a 1991 Trek 1200, the difference in ride qaulity was astounding. I test rode several aluminum bikes is this price range and they could not compare. Getting a $400 discount (due to the fact that it was an '03 model) made it an even greater deal. I put in several hundred miles between August and November and it still feels like brand new. Haven't even had to adjust any moving parts!

Strengths:
STEEL IS REAL!

Weaknesses:
BARS ARE A LITTLE WIDE

Similar Products Used:
TREK 1200
GIANT TCR AERO

Price Paid:  $1592.00 at Bob's Bicycle shop I

Favorite Ride:
Tropical Trail - A1A- home

Bike Setup:
All Stock equipment, 56 cm frame. 120 mm stem exchanged for a shorter one, NITE RIDER 10w bar mounted headlight, LED tail light

Summary:
Purchased 2003 Allez-Comp Cr-Mo 56 cm bike after feeling cramped on Medium aluminum Sequoia Sport. I wanted to stretch out some but not assume racing posture. Have to echo previous reviewers' comments about steel's comfort. Gearing, components, handling (shorter wheel base than Sport)are all significant upgrades. Rode two 12 mile rides several days before doing 31 miles in 2 hours over weekend in 25 mph winds. Speed is up, comfort is up, and I have not tapped the potential in the bike yet. Have reached 24 mph in the seat with wind. At 50 years age and only 600 miles on cycle computer, believe I've found the match I was seeking. Great value for price. Was riding 50 miles on Sport. This bike makes that distance a breeze.

Strengths:
Comfort from steel frame
shifters, brakes, wheels are fine

Weaknesses:
Paint scratches-chips easily

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Sequoia Sport
Trek 730

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
fat tire 40

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra 18speed drive train, shifters, brake set and bb. Specialized C3 fork, carbon seat tube, stem and bars. Cane Creek threadless headset.

Summary:
This bike is a candidate for the blue collar bargain of the year. For $1740 retail, it is an impressive package of all Ultegra components and a lightweight, comfortable steel frame. The frame is light, responsive and very vertically compliant (i.e. comfortable on rough Chicago-area roads). Several reviewers have quibbled about its weight, the wheel selection, and mysteriously enough, "frame flex". Surely there are lighter frames available for the money, but the frame is by not means heavy or plodding, and is more comfortable than a lighter comparably priced aluminum frame. As for the wheels, I don't know if the Shimano R540 wheelset would have been my first choice, but they are not unduly heavy and have held up incredibly well after 800 miles of pounding on some pretty rotten roads. Finally, as a 180lbs-plus rider, I have not detected any frame flex either while sprinting or climbing, even out of the saddle. I do not buy this as a legitimate concern with this bike. Between the Ultegra stuff, a solid set of other components from Specialized, and a very cool, well-mannered frame, this is an under-the-radar bargain. Buy one while you can.

Strengths:
Steel frame, compact geometry

Weaknesses:
The Cipollini Turbo tires are grippy and fast, but appear to be wearing quickly. In addition, I have flatted 3 times in 800 miles, much more than usual. It could be a bad tire/wheel set combo.

Seat is questionable, takes some getting used to.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Spokes etc.

Favorite Ride:
Wolf Gap

Bike Setup:
Stock Shimano Ultegra

Summary:
Awesome bike. I have been riding a Fuji Team (Al Easton ultralite tubing) for the last 2 years and wow what a differnce. This bike weighs 1.5 - 2 lbs more but it is so much smoother and soaks up both the large bumps and the high frequency buzzing that was so prevalent on my al bike. It is just as fast and does not flex under loading and I am 215. Shimaon 540 wheelset is heavy but staying true.

Strengths:
Aweome steel ride. i will not go back to Al!!!!!

Weaknesses:
Paint is chipping a little. Watch out for that seatpost clamp as it can damage you carbon seatpost

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Team, Cannondale Caad5, Trek 1200