indie kid

Hey, im new to road cycling and am about to buy a bike.

Ive narrowed the choices down to the Cannondale R500 [https://cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RR5T.html]

and the Specialized Allez Sport [https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9357]

Does anyone have any personal experiences with either bike?

Thanks for your help.

simplyred

I don't have experiences on the bikes...
But I'll still give you my $0.02...

The R500 has a better frame hands down.. it's a CAAD 5, meaning it was their "top-of-the-line" frame a couple years ago...
They are VERY similar in componentry.. so the drivetrain is a tie..
It's very difficult to say which is better parts-wise, as you have picked two that are pretty much in car terms "Camry vs. Accord"... It's almost down to preference..

I think either choice would be a great one... go to a local bike shop that carries both C'Dale and Specialized, so that you can ride and see which feels nicer...

DO take notice the length of your "test ride" stem length and handlebar angle.. those are adjustable to any degree... so if something feels uncomfortable with respect to your hands and arms, it's not the bike persay, it could be the stem length or angle of the hoods/handlebar...

My choice would be the C'Dale... for a bike..
For posing purposes.. the Specialized in Red is SOOO sweet... lol
Good luck

-Peter

Iron Chef

The Chinese Allez looks like a girl's bike.

samp02

Get the one that feels the best. Not much difference in either. Good Luck.

Bikeophile

check out some of the reviews on Road****************
I've heard some crappy stuff about the BB in the Cannondale...basically though, again these are basically the same bike from two different companies..so take them both for nice LONG test rides and see which one you like better...or which one matches your shoes better

linux_author

- have a Specialized Allez Sport, purchased used (a triple w/black frame, most likely 2003 version) for $500... in process of replacing a few components (upgrading to 105)... bought it as an inexpensive entry road bike... quite comfortable for me after raising the handlebar a tad, adjusting seat height and sliding the seat bit forward... another benefit is the 28/32 spoke arrangement as i'm pretty chunked out right now but working on losing weight...

- i had the dealer weigh the bike on a digital fish scale - 20lbs. + change (not that the weight means that much)...

jdevi

I bought the 2005 Specialized Allez Sport in black ( JMHO: hate the red, looks like a Wal-Mart bike) a couple months ago and love it! It climbs great, the wheels have held up so far, and I am not a lightweight. If $$$ matters to you, I think it is the way to go, it is considerably less $$$ than the C'dale for what is very close to the same componentry.

If I had a ton of $$$ I probably would ride a C'dale myself because of the American made aspect, but I don't so I can't.

P.S. Throw a pair of clipless on the Allez Sport when you can, makes a world of difference!

indie kid

thanks for the help so far but let me also throw in some other background info: the cannondale is only about $100 more so im not worried about the price, and im skinny [5'11 135] so im also not worried about which will hold more weight. Should i still shoot for the specialized or go for the cannondale?

simplyred

Ask a store to setup a test ride session...
Make sure they have BOTH in stock... so that you can make instant comparisons..
The good thing is that you are buying a bike that I'm sure most stores will carry..

If money [the 100 difference] and strength of the tires is not a big deal, then you're fine with either... Either bike will make you one happy rider...

indie kid

The main thing im having trouble deciding on is the difference in the frame. The cannondale has a straight top tube, and the specialized has a slanted one. What differences does this make? Pros and cons of each?

Thanks.

Serpico

of the two, I like the Cannondale

why don't you ride both and see which one you prefer, they're both nice bikes

Iron Chef

Yes the Specialized is a girls bike.

simplyred

This will depend on how proportioned you body is...
I have longer legs with proportion to my belly to neck... so compact works a tad better for me.. comfort-wise... [ie. the distance b/t saddle and stem is shorter]
Trust me... call your bike shop that carries both of these and try them out... We can only tell you so much... your body will give you the answer...

And yes, most people are hinting the C'Dale is a better bike... which it is.. frame-wise.. you can slap Record parts and such on that frame and race with the best... the Specialized... not so much... but we can't tell you what to buy and what not to buy.. the C'Dale COULD be a harsher ride, so if you plan to do some long-d riding... be prepared..

CALL THEM!
Good luck man..

-Peter