Specialized 2001 A1 Road

Price Paid:  $699.00 at sheepshead cycles

Favorite Ride:
prospect park

Bike Setup:
kestrel ems pro fork,custom ultegra/mavic wheelset(colorado cyclist),ultegra r/derailer and cassette, and specialized armadillo tires.

Summary:
nice looking bike.comfortable for an aluminum frame.has race bike geometry.stock wheelset was junk.made a few upgrades.a good quality bike for the price.

Strengths:
light for an entry level bike,geometry,red

Weaknesses:
wheelset,aluminum fork,stock tires.

Similar Products Used:
trek,bianchi.both good bikes.

Price Paid:  $640.00 at Bicycle Village Denv

Favorite Ride:
Every Ride

Bike Setup:
stock (for now)

Summary:
So far I am liking the bike. Only time will tell, I just bought the bike today, and am making the move from MTN bikes. Ive been actualy riding for about 2 years now. Ive gone from BMX to MTN/ Downhill and now to Road. From what I have done so far, I like it a lot, The shop didnt do a good job tuning the rear derailer so I had to adjust it midway thru my ride. But thats not a bike problem, its the shop guys who built it.

Strengths:
Size, comfort, style, and componotes. (cant spell too well) Weight is unbeatibule. This is also my first road bike.

Weaknesses:
I hope my rims dont give out. That happed w/ last years model aswell.

Similar Products Used:
n/a fist road bike ever

Price Paid:  $860.00 at Valley Cyclery, Scot

Favorite Ride:
Around the McDowell mountains between Scottsdale and Fountain Hills

Bike Setup:
All standard Shimano componentry (i.e., "gruppo" -don't ya just love it!?); Ritchey handelbar and h

Summary:
This is a GREAT bike. Though I've identified myself as a "recreational" cyclist, my ego, competitive nature, and desire to acquire top level cylcling equipment are as much involved in my selection and purchase of a bicycle as would be the case if I were part of the racing scene. Therefore, it was a bit of a difficulty, and disappointing, for me to accept that my financial situation did not permit me to buy (new that is) a bike at the upper levels of make, model and componentry that my fantasies would have dictated. But after months of shopping, talking the ears off of LBS sales persons and taking various upper, middle and lower end bike models out for test rides, I firmly believe that I found and purchased a winner. Despite warnings from the bike shop experts that an aluminum frame would "beat me up" on a long (or at least a relatively long ride for me, i.e., 50 miles), I found that not to be the case. The aluminum used in the 2002 Allez A1 is comfortable; much closer in ride quality to my ancient 32lbs. steel frame road bike than to the Giant TCR2 model that I tested. Moreover, this bike is responsive and fast. I can climb hills in my Scottsdale, Arizona neighborhood, which backs up to the lower slopes of the McDowell mountain range, easier than I can walk them. In the flats or simi flats(for those who know the area: north and south bound trips to and from Cave Creek / Carefree on Pima Road), this bike sails like the wind. I can't dispute that Shimano Dura Ace, Ultegra and even "105" would lighten the load and be nice to have, but I can definitely say after test riding all of such "gruppos" (funny to utilize an Italian language term to refer to Japanese products - oh the world of cylcling) that the difference between them and the standard Tiagra componentry on the 2001 Allez A1 is imperceptable to an agressive "recreational" cyclist such as myself. The key in purchasing a bike is to be honest about the category of riding in which one actually and primarily engages. Step two is to rid one's self of the desire to satisfy ego-related, or, keep-up-with-the-Jones'-related, so-called "needs" and then test ride bikes that fall within one's budget. The 2001 Allez A1 has not disappointed me. It's lightweight, stiff, responsive, fast and far more comfortable than I would have thought aluminum would be. P.S. It's "crash-wortht too!

Strengths:
Comfortable for an aluminum frame; responsive and fast like a racer despite componentry that cycling snobs find "beneath" them.

Weaknesses:
Original spokes in Mavic wheels were GARBAGE! After breaking four (4), the wonderful folks at Bicycle Ranch in Scottsdale went to bat for me and ensured that Specialized replaced my entire spoke set on both wheels and honored the cost under the Specialized warranty. Since then, new spokes are perfect.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2200; Cannondale R800; Giant TCR2; Raliegh R800; Specialized Allez Comp; GT 3.0 and GT 3000; Schwinn Paramount (year 2000 steel frame); Lemond Zurich; Lemond Buenos Aires; and, Colnago Classic

Price Paid:  $795.00

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
I'm a runner who recently decided to get into triathlons. After consulting a friend who is "in the know" regarding bicycles, he advised me to get this bike because it had better components for the price range that I wanted. I have had nothing but fun with this bike, and regret not getting it sooner. An excellent buy, at least for a recreational user such as me.

Strengths:
Comfortable (for a competition road bike), handles well, affordable, and it is a good looking bike. It is also upgradeable.

Weaknesses:
The Tiagra front derailleur causes the chain to pop off the sprocket occasionally when switching into high gear, but I'm told that this can be cured by a simple adjustment.

Similar Products Used:
None, but I compared prices and components to that of the Trek 1000, Giant OCR-3, and the base Cannondale.

Price Paid:  $850.00

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
All stock w/ Look attac pedals (hey, I mountain bike too)

Summary:
I really enjoy riding this bike. It has been a great tool to help me get back into cycling and recover from knee surgery. This is a great bike for someone who is entry level. I took a little hit in the wallet instead of buying the Trek, but I just didn't trust the Sora components. I considered replacing the wheels right off, but I just decided to wait until they started going bad. This bike will last a long time if you take care of it with routine maintenance and a few upgrades.

Strengths:
Very responsive. It moves in three speeds: fast, faster, and where did he go? The ergonomics of the drops are really nice.

Weaknesses:
None yet, but I am keeping my eye on the rear wheel for broken spokes and warping. I think that the bar-stem may be a little short for larger people. I would look at an upgrade

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000