Specialized Allez Sport 18

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Stonefield Cycles, S

Favorite Ride:
Hanchurch Hill

Bike Setup:
Standard

Summary:
This is the first real quality road bike I’ve purchased. I looked long at hard at the options that fell within my limited budget, and the Specialized Allez Sport just seemed to offer that bit more in the way of quality components. The double-butted all aluminium compact frame is rigid but not harsh. It responds instantly to input from the rider, but the carbon forks and seat post offer adequate damping over poor road surfaces.
After a few rides, the all Shimano Tiagra/105 mix has bedded in nicely and now shifts instantly without fuss. It comes as standard with 52/39 chainrings and a 12-25 cassette at the rear. This gives a good range of gearing, and I’m left wondering why the triple chainring option seems to be so popular?
I’m actually beginning to understand what people have meant when they said that a bike “climbs well”. This machine is a revelation over my old steel-framed steed.
Also, it just looks so cool with the black and red “sunburnt zebra” colours on the sloping top tube compact frame.

Strengths:
Rigid lightweight frame. Full Shimano gears. Looks the biz!!

Weaknesses:
None. For the price, this is great value.

Similar Products Used:
Numerous steel framed road and mountain bikes over the years.