Specialized Allez Comp 27

Price Paid:  $1450.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
South Kettle Moraine, WI

Bike Setup:
2003 Specialized Allez Comp Triple, Cyclomax Orion II wheelset, Specialized Alias saddle, Look A5-1 pedals

Summary:
Super bike - fast, comfortable and durable. I upgraded from a comfort bike in June and put 4,000 miles on the balance of the year. At 220lbs I went through the Shimano 540 wheelset at 1,500 miles, but the Orions have been solid and the rest of the bike has held up terrifically. It's taken me on three centuries in comfort, is solid on hills, and stable at over 50MPH. Not cheap, but much more than I expected.

Strengths:
Durable - I didn't think any bike could hold up to 200 mi/week with a big rider. Never misses a shift, great looking (Orion IIs and zebra paint).

Weaknesses:
None. I've heard aluminum alloy frames eventually fail, but this one still looks and performs like the day I bought it.

Similar Products Used:
nothing comparable

Price Paid:  $460.00 at Local Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Backroads of Gilroy

Bike Setup:
see previous review

Summary:
This is a previous review retraction of sorts. My last review of this frame and fork set was off the mark to say the least.

The frame sway thing was caused by my saddle being too far back in the post mount. My mistake. If anyone is experiencing something like odd frame movement while in the saddle, try moving the saddle forward. It worked for me, but I'm only 160 lbs and 5'7.5" on a 54cm frame.

The fork is fine, stiff not too stiff.

It is a good climber, not a so so climber. I definately noticed that I have more air when I reach the summit of hills I am familiar with than I did with my old bike.

It is a great frame fork combo. So I'm giving it a double nickle (two 5s).

Strengths:
Works well at any speed, but faster is better. Stable downhill, follows the road surface like it should. No wobbles with hands off bars. High visibility with Zebra paint theme. Good upgrade path from older hefty short frame Chromo. For an AL race frame, it's smooth.

Weaknesses:
None after 300 miles. early days... Will report back after a year.

Similar Products Used:
see previous review

Price Paid:  $460.00 at Local Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Cannada Road - uphill

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace STI, Ultegra drivetrain, Mavic Cosmos, Terry Fly, Pave post, carbon stem, alloy bars, frog pedals, 18.5 lbs. must get lighter wheels

Summary:
I indicate that I am a recreational rider, but that's only because I don't race and there is no category for tenacious hill climber and madman.

I built up a triple bike with the '03 Allez Comp E5 Zebra frame and C3 carbon fork set. I did not buy an assembled bike.

Overall I'd say I like the paint most of all. The compact geometry is stout. I think the fork is too stiff for this frame and causes some unusual frame feedback characteristics on smooth relatively flat road surfaces. On climbs, curves, downhills, and rolling uneven road surfaces the weirdness goes away. It is hard to explain. One of the other reviewers called it a frame sway. It sort of feels like the start of a flat tire, but it only lasts an instant. I may be able to cure it with a full carbon fork, but not sure. Anyway, it's weird, but not dangerous at all.

Great uphill sprinter. In the saddle climbs are so so. My old Centurion IronMan Master climbs better in the saddle, but weighs too much. So in the end the Zebra is a better overall uphill bike.

I would not recommend this frame to anyone that doesn't put in a lot of miles on a weekly basis. It is for aggressive experienced butts. I could do a century on it without any discomfort. But your average Joe or Josie, might be screaming at about mile 20.

Put the Specialize Pave post on it to knock out the sharp road edges and make the rear fell cozy. Pave really works.

I gave it a 5 for value because of the paint, and it is heavily discounted now.

I couldn't give it a 5 overall, because I don't understand what is causing the sway issue during even cadence on smooth surfaces.

Strengths:
Accelerates well. Good uphill sprinter. Flys with the wind at your back. Runs true into the wind as well. Very stable. Good quick steering. No problems on fast 45+ MPH downhills. Sticks like glue. Predictable braking characteristics.

Weaknesses:
The weird sway thing. Side winds will give you a thrill the first time you run into them. The frame acts like a sail. Fork is a bit stiff and jarring. I've ridden smoother AL frames, but they had slower steering than the Allez Comp.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing in AL compact geometry with straight stays, Giant TCR1 would be closet, but it's carbon with s-stays

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at A Bikes

Favorite Ride:
zion

Bike Setup:
stock except for tires and soon to have new saddle.

Summary:
this is an awesome bike. im getting involved in my first season of road racing this spring and ive been training on it for 3 months. it will take u as far and as fast as ur legs will make it go. its that simple. the ultegra component group is simply awesome. its pretty light and it better be at this pricepoint. its definately not a budget bike but there are more expensive ones out there. i think its a pretty good deal overall. if i could go back and change a few things i would probably switch out the saddle for a selle italia gel saddle or something similar and id get rid of the cipolini tires that come with it because they get torn up pretty easily. other than that no complaints.
ive found this bike to handle extremely well and it is has proven itself to have a very stiff frame.

Strengths:
amazing frame
great component group
pretty light-weight stock
great handling

Weaknesses:
toss the saddle

Similar Products Used:
cannondale r1000

Price Paid:  $1650.00 at Kegels Bicycle .. Ro

Summary:
I am a beginner rider with limited miles but spent a lot of time researching this bike and going on demo rides on other brands. I live in a large urban area and visited several bike shops selling different brands. I test rode Litespeed, Trek, cannondale, Giant, Fuji, and of course Specialized. I found a lot of nice bikes that rode well but for the price and what I got (great frame and componnent group with all ultegra) I was very happy with the Allez Comp. The bike rides excellent ( I have logged about 350 miles in) I like the fact that it has a carbon fork, stem and post. One thing I would have liked to see is a lighter Wheelset. Stock was Shimanno m540 that weigh in at almost 1900 grams. Overall a good bike especially for low level and novice rider.