I feel like I rarely see C&V Specialized bikes on this forum, why is that?

MTB's are represented in a number of threads. Road bikes, not so much except for Allez and a few others.

Exactly. Why? Not old enough? Not desirable? Not many were sold initially?

You see Specialized Expeditions showcased on the vintage touring bike threads. The early 80's versions were top of their class.

The company is too new. The early bikes barely meet the C&V criteria.

Yeah, I took a day and drooled all through that vintage touring bike thread. The Expeditions and Sequoias are the cat's pajamas.

I have kind of an idea of putting drops on my 84 Stumpjumper, but the bullmooses are too cool.

IMHO is that there are just not that many steel frame specialized road bikes out there. base on observation of forum and local craigslist. But often when one shows up in the forum they are really nice.

There's no real "C&V Critera." It's kind of like defining "pornographic" or "obscene" with "I know it when I see it."

Besides, the company was making bikes in 1981- most of the bikes talked about here (or that I pay attention to) were made in the 80s.

For me, personally- the "vintage" era ends with the end of Suntour. It seems a lot of things were changing right around then and that was the final change. I think Classically inspired bicycles are still being made and bikes such as Waterfords and Rivendells are at home here as well.

I think it's because Specialized is a company that didn't manufacture their products, but designed and then out-sourced production.
They started with tires and accessories. Jumped onto the MTB tidal wave...very smart and timely. But approached road bikes from the high end. The Allez therefore was very limited in numbers. A great design, but I wouldn't call it 'flashy' compared to the stiff competition from Europe. Stiff domestic competition from upstart Cannondale and rising Trek, and slipping Schwinn in the mid to high end.
There were less expensive Allez-Sport models later, and the Sirrus in the late 80s. By that time, the market was flooded with mid-level models that the buying public decided on.
They managed to feature their Allez in a movie, but other than that, they didn't make much marketing noise. I think their focus was MTBs, since that was where the money was.

- The Specialized Expeditions and Sequoias are very popular, I've seen them posted fairly often.

- The 3Rensho Allez frames were probably their nicest road bikes, and they get a lot of love on these forums.

- The love for the early Specialized mtbs is well-documented.

- I would like to own a Rock Combo someday.

American Flyers

The red 3Rensho Allez's are pretty nice mid '80's bikes. I had a snazzy 88 Allez with the purple, yellow and white paint. Had Suntour GPX on it, was a nice riding bike. But as had been noted above the company is relatively new and made its mark with the Stumpjumper.

Here's my dad's Allez bought brand new in 1988. I can't find a single picture of it on the 'net aside from the single shot of part of the downtube in the '88 catalogue.
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/...KCBQD.jpg.html

I'd like to forget my '90 Sirrus...what a POS.

I own two vintage specialized mtbs, a 1989 stumpjumper comp (full deore xt gruppo) and a 1991 team stump jumper (full suntour ex pro gruppo). Both are really great bikes that I have enjoyed riding over the years. The 1991 team was my first mountain bike and I've taken it on a number of offroad adventures. I picked up the 1989 stumpjumper comp from CL; they can be found fairly inexpensively 2d hand and make great platforms to tinker with (commuter, drop bar conversion, gravel grinder, etc.)

What didn't you like about it?

I'd love to find an early stumpjumper! They are super cool.

Everything. Just a poor handling, sloppy bike. Heavy, flexy, FRIGHTENING on descents with this shimmy (and this is when I was young and dumb enough to really descend). I really disliked that bike...to the point where I even used a Cannondale instead on a few rides. I saved up for months to get it...it was what I could afford, but it sure didn't handle or ride like my wealthier friend's (and better sponsored friend's) bikes.

Back in 1992, the guy who lived across the street from me had a red Allez. Got me interested in road riding again.

I fall between sizes for Allez, so I don't see myself owning one.

Specialized Expedition by djk762, on Flickr

Just because this thread needed more pics....

-D

I just got this 1990 Sirrus last week. It looks like vintage but it is not. Down tube and investment cast fork. Frame and fork with headset weigh 6pounds 3ounces Thats lighter than my 531 DB bike of the same 56CM size. It is a 38" wheel base so not a touring bike. It looks like a Allez with eyelets. Came with out wheels so I put these on it to test ride before tearing it down. Handlebar stem frozen in. Had to cut it out.

SORRY I said 2000. It is a 1990-91, I changed it.
Ed

I sold this one in the spring. It was pretty darn close to flawless.

Dang nice pics and bikes guys thanks for bootin'

I need a 56cm sometime

Biplane fork domination

My stolen Specialized might not be pretty, but it offers one heck of a decent ride quality...