bigredgrad01

Saw this today near the dropout on the inside, bike is 2007 Allez:

Looks like cracking on on top and bottom moving towards the center of that notch to me. It's bare aluminium covered with clear coat, would be strange if clear coat cracked in those two places without some underlying flex or cracking, no?
Inclined to not take my chances and get a new bike or frame anyways. I am taking it to the LBS tomorrow to see if there are some warranty discounts or frame replacements available to me.
Going to miss this bike, best purchase I ever made (obligatory engagement ring disclaimer aside).
Trip down memory lane:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...-closeout.html

hueyhoolihan

looks like it could be. anyway, good enough to justify getting new frame.

you can quote me!

fstshrk

Specialized frames are warrantied for life to the original purchaser. I think you are getting a 2014/15 Allez frame.

Trsnrtr

From the pic, looks like it's kaput. Time to try out that warranty.

bigredgrad01

That would be way cool, and mad respect to Specialized if they come through. I like the new Allez. Just got the 7 year old receipt emailed to me by the shop I bought it from and will be filing a warranty claim tomorrow at LBS that sells Specializeds.

Ice41000

Yes.

StanSeven

Good that you caught that.

FLvector

Good catch. Hope its covered under warranty.

OldsCOOL

Seeeem Seeeem Sulla-Beeeem I see a new frame in your near future. It is your destiny, Effendi.

Jiggle

If it didn't have a warranty, I'd drill the crack to stop it from spreading and tig a bead around it. 20 minute job.

velociraptor

Am very interested to hear whether Specialized comes through on a new frameset for you.

My experiences with their customer service over the years has been excellent.

Most recently, after I bought the '15 Allez frameset, I called them to voice my displeasure with the chunky 20mm AI cone spacer the bike comes with.

They sent me a 10mm composite FSA replacement for free. To my door. Next day.

unterhausen

stop drilling rarely works. Plus, there are 3 cracks, 2 of which are nearly joined. Or maybe it's one big crack that hasn't quite made it through from the other side. I'm not sure what this material is, but usually aluminum needs post-weld heat treatment or the failure repeats fairly quickly

Wanderer

Yep, that's broke! You will be riding a new free bike, very shortly......

bigredgrad01

Took it to the shop today, they said, yep, a crack, and he saw another one near the bottom bracket too that I didn't see. They said they'll be sending it back to Specialized for warranty, and to expect a new frame in 2 weeks or so.
I am just glad the wheels didn't fall off on me mid ride. Everything else is secondary to that. Riding that bike had an amazing impact on my life, I am going to miss it.

PS, if I had Allez Expert, with E5 Al, should I expect an Expert level replacement frame? The reason I ask is that I want to refresh the gruppo, and new Allez Expert is BB30, whereas lower end frames are threaded BB. Trying to decide what crank to get.

Elvo

Unless they have old stock, you are probably getting a smartweld e5 frame. You can just get adapter cups to use you old threaded BB.

Wheels Mfg BB30 Adapters

ConGrUenCy

Approximately how many miles did you get from the bike over the 7 years?

bigredgrad01

I got about 25000 miles out of it. I weigh about 200lbs. Great bike.

velociraptor

Unless they have NOS, I expect they'll just send you a new Smartweld.

It will come with press-fit adapters for Shimano.

A new Ultegra crankset can be had for around $180 on eBay.

bigredgrad01

I was planning on getting the whole 105 5800 compact gruppo in polished silver on PBK for $400.
I kind of like the shiny polished silver look, because it's true to the material and for reflectivity, since I commute home at night. I hope replacement frame is polished silver like my bike too, they have Comp model in one.
Specialized Bicycle Components

macca33

That's a good'un - the green is the deal maker there!

cheers

velociraptor

Has your LBS gone through this process with Specialized before?

And did they give you any indication of which frame you're likely to receive?

Does Specialized take into consideration your preferences in situations like this?

531Aussie

I've said this many times, but my 1999 Specialized Allez Comp was one of the nicest frames I ever had. I loved riding it, and was pissed off when I spotted a crack on the bottom of the bottom bracket. I bought it used (and cheap) when it was a few years old, so there was no warranty.
It was my first aluminium frame, and I thought: "what's all this about alu being harsh? This is great."

I bought on it a whim, around 2002 (I think). I popped into a bike shop while I was riding one day, and got talking to the shop guy about aluminium frames. He said: "you can have that Specialized frame over there with no fork for a 100 bucks." It didn't have a mark on it, so I bought it on the spot and rode home about 20km, balancing it on one side of my bars.

I'd get another alu Specialized in a second, even though they're probably very different now.

I put the Columbus stickers on it.

bigredgrad01

I just stripped off the components dropped the bare frame off at the shop, the owner checked it out, saw the crack, and another one I didn't, he said they we'll send it in, if everything goes through, expect a new frame in about 2 weeks. I may check in with him next week.
I am now thinking I will keep the triple drive-train I already have, at least through winter training and commuting. I just replaced cassette, chain, cables, and chain rings, so it's in tip-top shape. I want to get some mileage out of my investment.
So even if frame is black, it will be silver components and wheels on black frame, which I think will look pretty classy.

topflightpro

I had an 03 S-Works E5 frame. I still consider that the best aluminum frame I've ever ridden. It was far superior to the 2010 Caad 9 that replaced it.

bigredgrad01

Specialized came through and I got a replacement frame:
Specialized Bicycle Components
In Satin (fingerprint magnet) black with black lettering.
There was an issue with lower headset bearing coming apart in shipping, but fortunately all the balls were in place, so I put it back together, greased it up and snapped the plastic ring back in.
The remaining issue is that it's BB30 as opposed to 24MM, and there is no pre-installed bottom bracket.
I am thinking of getting this one:
Amazon.com : Wheels Manufacturing BB30 to Outboard Bottom Bracket with Abec 3 Bearings : Bike Cranksets And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors
Was also considering the Praxis Works one, but I have some concern about the cable guide screw protruding into it, and WM unit is not flush against the BB wall in the center.