36Oly_Rider

I like to think of myself as a patient, easy going guy, HOWEVER, Feb 2nd I ordered a 2013 Specialized Allez Race frame so I can build a bike up. Knowing that it was backordered until April, I was cool with it. So, it gave me time to buy the other tidbits. Anyway, about March 26th or thereabouts, my LBS looked it up and said they were going to be made available March 29th...That date rolls around and the now the avail date is May/June...What the heck? At this rate, the 2014 models will be out before I get my frame...

Has anybody experienced this before?

Bob Dopolina 

Yes.

Silvercivic27

That's why I don't like ordering things.

roadwarrior

Here's how the bike business works:

If there are no, or not enough orders for bikes with a particular fame, said frame does not get manufactured. Apparently this frame and subsequent models, as far as new orders, are not enough to warrant making more. They may have a backlog of bikes using this frame and no need for more production.

Also know that frame sales are at the end of the line. Manufacturers are not in the frame selling business. they are in business to sell finished bikes. After they make the frames, a certain number are held back for warranty. After the finished bikes are done, and the warranty frames are held out,then you might get lucky.

That May/June run is probably 2014 anyway...do you may end up with a different color. I doubt the frame is changing. By summer, we have all moved on to the next year. You might check that.

BTW...in the reviews I looked at people seem to be mentioning the amount of deflection in the drive train area. A lot. Not sure why they call it a "Race" when the frame is flexing in places where you really do not want it to flex.

roadwarrior

I like threads where people complain and then never come back to the thread.

Campag4life

We know one thing...the OP may be patient and easy going but he doesn't understand the bike business.
You don't order a frame in Feb for a forthcoming riding season with any expectation that it will be available.
Good comments RW btw on frameset availability...makes sense.

thump55

Webster defines the word "backorder" to mean: Go find something else because waiting for this will cause you pain and misery.

zenout

Lbs paying its bills?Just asking

Campag4life

Has little to do with it. Bikeshops have little sway on extracting any frame out of the OE. RW explained the dynamic accurately I believe.
Specialized...I ordered a frame from them last year, is notorious for only providing updates and no solid commitment when a given frame would be available. In my case they beat expected delivery but many report that some frame orders fall into the black hole...again...I believe for the reasons RW explained...factory full bike builds and demand to justify a given production run of frames dictate timing.

clausen

I waited 6 month for a frame. Good things come to those who wait.

36Oly_Rider

Most sensible answer I've gotten yet.


Yeah, you're right...I do have some nice parts and whatnots to stare at, though...It's sad, I'm already thinking of upgrading some of it...Its neverending....