Specialized 2000 Allez A1 Elite Triple

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Rivercity Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
West Hills

Bike Setup:
Stock except for chris king headset

Summary:
This is actually a review for the 2001 elite with 105/ultegra. Overall a fast and responsive bike. I upgraded my headset to a Chris King and noticed a significant difference in the handling. The ritchey aero wheelset works well but i think they flex on hard climbs. I haven't had any problems with the bike except for a broken rear spoke after 1K miles. I was planning to overhaul the frame with dura-ace, ksyriums, carbon seatpost, etc. but decided to get a new frame instead. The ride can be a bit bumpy when i'm commuting .

Strengths:
Good components. Ritchey stem/handlebars and wheelsets. Color scheme (black/silver/red) looks great! I love how the bike just accelerates uphill with ease.

Weaknesses:
Not sure if i would pay full retail ($1800) for it. Bikes a little heavy (slightly above 20lbs) for a 57cm compact frame.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike, was riding a specialized mountain bike for 5 yrs.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Gregs in Bellevue

Favorite Ride:
Mt Rainier area

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
I will first say I really love my bike.
I will have to hack on it where it needs hacks, but I love my bike.
Upgrades I will do or have done.
-Spokes. Done.
-Saddle
-Carbon fork.
-A higher end wheelset.
My hope is with these few it will soften the ride a little. I rode the STP(200 miles, one day) and took a beating. Maybe just me, but a softer bike would have helped. I love the bike and how quick it is. I would buy it again but would have the upgrades done at the shop. It is my first quality road bike and don't want to give it up or replace it but I sure envy the dudes on the TI or Car Fib setups. In a few years, I'll break down and get a new baby. This one still has my eye though. Enough to put $$ into it still.

Strengths:
-Absolutely great looking bike. Love the colors scheme
-Ultegra. Hard to get Ultegra on a good bike for a grand. Nearly flawless mechanically.
-FAST. Great climber and super fast on decsents. Speed.
-Super control

Weaknesses:
-Very stiff. That's aluminum for you
-Rear spokes. The other posters were on the money. The first rear spoke went after about 400 miles, the 2nd another 100 after that. I ended up getting the wheel redone and my mechanic said it is %100 chronic of the bike and that specific spoke. JUNK! SHame on you specialized for putting crap on a nice bike. It was a great look though, the black spokes.
-Saddle. I still am using it but this is the last season. Just doesn't work WELL which is what I want.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Any climb

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Mavic Ksyrium wheelset.

Summary:
Nice looking, light frame and good
componentry for the price. I had the same
spoke troubles as others and the flawed
rear dropout design is annoying (skewer
cap must be removed or tire must be flat
to install the wheel). The aluminum fork
really brings out the rattle of Ultegra
shifters and is as uncomfortable as to be
expected. Climbs very well.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, pretty frame. Cheap even
with the corners cut (cranks, fork, etc).

Weaknesses:
Spokes, rear dropout, heavy stock wheels.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond, Trek, and a Klein Quantum.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at WheatRidge Cycles Co

Bike Setup:
Prolink Gel Saddle, Mavic Ksyrium wheels, Ultegra cranks.

Summary:
A good bike. However, a few to many easy to fix flaws that Specialized should address.

Strengths:
I haven't been riding and racing for about 8 years. This was my introduction to the latest technology. The bike is quite light and rigid. Certainly doesn't have the comfort of my old steel bikes. I really like the sloping top tube. It is ok value for money.

Weaknesses:
Specialized did a very poor job of putting this bike togeather. Firstly, there are runs in the paint and the stickers are not straight. Then there's the spokes. I think I got 100 miles. Luckily Wheatridge replaced the spokes. Then my crank decided to come loose while climbing off the saddle - crank was wrecked). Then my rear changer almost fell off. All of these problems are easy to fix by specialized and taint an otherwise good bike.

One major design flaw is the specialized saddle, it is so uncomfortable.

Similar Products Used:
Eddy Merckx
Bianchi
Raleigh
Diamant
Cadex

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Belmont Bike Works (

Favorite Ride:
short and fast

Bike Setup:
Stock with Flight Deck

Summary:
Great bike for the price. Serious upgrade from 12 year old steel Giant Perigee. Spokes on rear wheel broke after 150 miles, bike shop replaced spokes and hub (Shimano 105) immediately, no questions asked. Great bike on rolling hills, fast and good control.

Strengths:
Ultegra components, speed

Weaknesses:
Spokes, only reason for lower overall rating

Similar Products Used:
None