AFCFORME

I was told at my LBS(who also happens to be a huge Specialized dealer) that Specialized has pretty much "given up" on their aluminum bike frames and to go in a different direction than say an Allez model.

He recomended me a aluminum Felt over the aluminum Specialized's.

Anyone else know anything about this? kinda caught me off gaurd as all ive heard about the Allez model(s) is pretty damn good things.

AEO

doesn't surprise me, carbon has been the market focus for quite some time.
I don't think it's a terrible loss since the really good aluminum frames are CAAD8/9 and scandium/aluminum frames from rocky mountain, eddy merckx, etc.

AFCFORME

Bummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmp

waterrockets 

Even if Specialized completely stopped R&D on aluminum frames, and just kept making the same frame from 3 years ago, it's a great frame.

hyunelan2

Well, if you look at the number of different Allez models available this year, compared to previous years, this would seem about right. Also, the highest model Allez only has Tiagra components, whereas in previous years you could get higher groupsets.

Zinn-X

I kind of find that sad... Specialized's manufacturing processes for aluminum have improved greatly over the years, at least on their MTB side of things. It sucks they would just throw that market away. Even BMC has a high-end al frame. Are you sure the shop owner wasn't just trying to push something on you?

mrbubbles

Buy the previous years Allez model with aero seattube (06 and before) instead, they're going cheap on ebay because of the carbon craze. 07/08's Allez received the least improvement and attention on their road lineup.

voltman

They aren't making the same frame. They don't sell the E5 aluminum frames anymore, at least in the Allez line.

otismedina

Weren't Specialized's older aluminum designs pretty good? Like the S-Works E5? I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure that the Allez Pro and maybe Expert have a similar if not nearly identical frame. (The difference with the Allez Pro and Expert are are the carbon seat stays.)

otismedina

They did in 2007. I'm pretty sure the only difference b/w this frame and the E5 are the carbon seat stays. Correct me if I'm wrong.

2007 Specialized Allez Pro:


2004 Specialized S-Works E5 Road

voltman

I think there are a couple slight, slight geometry differences.

TRAVISD

I still ride a S-works alu frame. I think its a 01 model. The same frame that Festina rode. Its a great frame.

AFCFORME

I dont think so. They sell both Specialized and Felt at the shop. But it is a massive Specialized dealer. One of the biggest in Orange County id say.

AFCFORME

Goooooooooooooooooner

otismedina

According to the geometry numbers published at the specialized website, they are identical.



E5, Allez Pro
Seatpost Length: 300mm, 300mm
Crank Length: 170mm, 170mm
Fork Rake: 45mm, 45mm
Front Center: 576mm, 576mm
Chainstay Length: 405mm, 405mm
Wheelbase: 970mm, 970mm
Seat Angle: 74.0degrees, 74.0degrees
Head Tube Angle: 73.0degrees, 73.0degrees
Top Tube Length: 537mm, 537mm
Seat Tube Length: 480mm, 480mm

voltman

The head tube on the S-Works is slightly, slightly shorter.

otismedina

Pshhhha.

gurana

I usually take anything a person that is trying to sell me something with a grain of salt. First I would question where he was getting this inside information. Then I would question what impact their 'giving up' makes on the alu frames they currently had in stock. If they're no good, why do they sell them? He may have been pushing the felt because he's trying to get rid of them.

Ever see those 'top ten' listings at CD and DVD stores? A friend of mine worked at an FYI a few years ago. Apparently those charts aren't based on any actual sales data, but rather they're made by the store manager after he/she takes a quick inventory and sees which CDs they have too many of, and they want to move them. I can't say that this is true for every music store, but it is something to keep in mind. It's possible that even if he was pushing a less expensive bike on you, he would still have an ulterior motive other than your best interests at heart.

That's also not to say that the felt wouldn't ultimately be a good match for you, I just wouldn't base my decision on that information. As you tell it, it sounds more than a little suspect to me.

otismedina

You're right about that, my bad. Other than that, I don't see much difference.

So that being said, I'd go for a late model Allez Pro or Allez Expert. That would be a dope setup. Although, Felt does make some good cycles.

markyore

The manipulation of the tubing is also supposed to be different fot the S-works making it lighter. There has been a few threads on this.

Flak

Is this really a surprise though? I expect alu to eventually go the way of steel and become a niche product as carbon fibre takes over as the mainstay frame material to build bikes with.

p.s. - i have an 07 Allez Elite frame with the A1 alu and carbon seat stays and fork....rides nice.

AFCFORME

I definitely thought it was suspect. thats why i asked on here.

But it really wasnt him trying to "get rid" of the Felt model cuz the one i was looking for(F75) he said he would have to order for me.

And like i said that shop ( https://www.surfcitycyclery.com) is a huge Specialized dealer. So im not really sure what his motives were haha.

waterrockets 

Yeah, once they get down to a 3 lb. frame for $300, that will probably make sense, if it rides decent. Leader has got this dialed in for aluminum.

stapfam

I ride C.F.and I ride Aluminium. Boreas Ignis (Now Principia) on the al and Giant TCR C as C.F. Both ride well- but after a couple of hours- the Boreas is the bike to ride.

Brian6751

The Allez frame to get is the E5 AEROTEC. The last ones were in 06' on the Comp triple, Expert, and pro along with the 07' Expert and pro only. Everything else is regular SLX or A1. I've been riding this frame for almost two years now and cannot see any benefit in something different. They are great frames, but it does appear Specialized is no longer making "top of the line" aluminum frames anymore. The Allez is just a beginner model now with a cheaper frame.