Originally Posted by Slightspeed

When my steel frame Bianchi Forza got hit by a car, I was OK, but needed a bike in kind of a hurry with a charity ride coming up that I had already paid for. The Forza wasn't a great bike, but I had it dialed in, and enjoyed riding it, Shimano Exage, Biopace crank with indexed down tube shifter for the rear. I found this 2002 Specialized Allez aluminum frame, 9 speed triple for $399 as a closeout when Performance was leaving Specialized. At first I didn't like the aluminum's stiff ride, but loved the responsive sharp handling. An Easton carbon fork cured most of the road buzz, along with a Roubaix handle bar with zertz insert at the stem connection. It's 18 years now, and I've moved on to modern carbon, as well as several old steel bikes, but I still enjoy a spin on the Allez, though its mostly my bank and post office run bike these days.

I always liked the paint job, and the paint has held up well over the years. I have replaced the saddle with an Ergon, the front derailleur upgraded to Ultegra, new Claris shifters, and 105 brakes, besides the Easton fork, ITM stem, and Roubaix bars. Fun bike.

I always thought the Sugino crank was one of thd nicest looking modernish cranks.

I also ride this 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite triple, my first carbon bike. Recently upgraded to Reynolds aluminum wheels and Brooks C17 saddle. We've done several centuries and big climbs together. I didn't like the handling at first, but the new wheels really tranformed the ride.

Same bike, a few years ago. I just like this picture from a Solvang century.


Near the top of Gibraltar Road.

Heading back down the hill,