Specialized S-Works E5 Road

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Georges cycles

Favorite Ride:
Anything with friends

Bike Setup:
Full Dura-ace with chris king/ open pro wheels

Summary:
I got this frame and fork to build up a road bike for days I don't want to ride my triathlon bike. I have not put alot of miles on the bike yet, but instant response is that it is a fast bike. I thought that the bike would be stiffer than my litespeed since the E5 is all aluminum, but to my surprise- it does not beat you up too bad. The fork and seatpost do a good job of soaking up the bumps. The frame turns very well at speed and is very stiff for hill climbing and sprinting. It is a race bike through and through. I am impressed with this bike and it has surpassed my expectations. A few times, looking over my shoulder, I noticed I can drift very fast. Be careful of the fast steering in situations like this. I have a s-works mt. bike and love that too. I did not think that specialized would be that good building road bikes, but they are. In Wisconsin- everyone sells Trek. There are not many Specialized dealers. In my opinion- that is a crying shame!

Strengths:
Fit is right on since it is available in basically every size instead of a 2 cm spread. The bike has nice paint and is stiff as can be!

Weaknesses:
None that I can see

Similar Products Used:
Cinelli, Cannondale CAAD 3 team saaco, Trek 2000 aluminum

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Specialized s-works

Bike Setup:
Specialzed S-works, kysrium wheels, Bonetrager stem, bars , ultegra components

Summary:
what a bike. Had a trek 5200 which was a great climber but really seemed to lack acceleration in that final sprint. This bike has no such problems. A racing machine... you feel the bike respond instantly and it's also a better climber than the trek. This will win me a few hill top finishes

Strengths:
stiffness, climbs like a cougar, looks great

Weaknesses:
maybe a little shaky at low speeds, but who wants to go slow?

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200, Mecacycle Turbo

Price Paid:  $3900.00 at Bicycle Village

Favorite Ride:
everywhere/anywhere with a hill

Bike Setup:
stock, with Specialized Pave seatpost for better shock absorption.

Summary:
SUPERB!!! Stiff, fast, light and pure fun. I recomend this bike to anyone that gets a good deal and wants a really fast, stiff bike that will be used on hills. I dont see the point in buying a new bike, when this one is absolutly perfect! Aluminum sounds out dated, but this design is flawless and comperable or better than carbon or titanium. I love this bike!!!

Strengths:
stiffness, light, power transfer, quality set up and great bike for the money on stock bike.

Weaknesses:
maybe on really long, bumpy roads, it might be too stiff, but this can be fixed with carbon add-ons.

Similar Products Used:
trek 5200, litespeed tuscany

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at PS Cycling & Fitness

Favorite Ride:
Hanging Rock, Pilot Mnt. loop

Bike Setup:
all shimano ultrega components, ritchey pro stem and handlebars, litespeed 4-ply carbon seat post, selle italia flite gel, ksyrium sl wheelset

Summary:
I bought the bike at the end of may 2003 after training all spring on a 2000 Specialized Allez Comp. I had the bike built up with all ultegra components, carbon seat post, and ksyrium sl wheels. It took about 30 miles to get use to the change in geometry. The bike was awesome. It is stable at normal and fast riding speeds. Accelerated both in sprints and climbs like a rocket. Being a hill climber I took full advantage of the acceleration on the hills when riding with friends. The frame is solid and transfer power smoothly and quickly to the back wheel with no hesitation. The ride a lot smoother than what you would expect out of such a stiff frame. After tryin two different carbon seat post I found one that eliminated even the roughest roads vibrations (I weight 130 and the first seat post was for a people a little heavier). I was a little hesitant about how the bike would handle in fast corning but found out quick in one race that it turns like a dream. On the down hill part there was a hidden 180 degree turn (the cation sign said 10mph) with very little time to break. I held on with my life the bike stuck it at over 25mph with out skipping or chattering across the road. Even without having dura ace components the bike is still light at 17lbs with pedals, seat, and bottle holders.

Strengths:
Power transfer responds on demand, super fast acceleration and climbing, great buy for the price, amazing cornering speed and stability.

Weaknesses:
It's a little unstable at slow speeds (5-12mph) Have to find the right carbon seat post to dampen vibrations. Once you have the right one it's like riding on smooth roads all the time.

Price Paid:  $2000.00

Bike Setup:
Shimano Ultegra including pedals, Mavic Ksyrium Elite, carbon fork and seat post

Summary:
I purchased the S-Works with Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheels, and carbon seat post and fork. This bike replaced my 25 year old Schwinn Paramount-(full Campy record). At first I didn't like the bike because it was so different than my chrome-moly Paramount, but after a few weeks of riding I adjusted to it, and after a few more weeks I began to love it. It is very light, accelerates and climbs unbelievably well, is stiff, but softens-up with the carbon so it is comfortable on my 30+ mile rides. The red finish is first-rate. It is probably a little overkill for a 56 year old recreational rider like me, but I love it.

Strengths:
Acceleration and climbing, light-weight, red paint job, steady and firm at higher speeds

Weaknesses:
probably uncomfortable on day long rides

Similar Products Used:
Replacement bike for my 25 year old Schwinn Paramount- Reynolds steel and Campy record- 10 speed