There's almost always a way. Serial numbers are frequently not a sequential set of numbers. Manufactureres need to decode them when a faulty part gets returned so they can tell when, where and who made a part. It's likely that the person you talked to didn't know so gave the stock answer.

"A" might be 1990. It's common to use letters for year codes.

A - 1990
B - 1991
C - 1992

So G for Giant then a year code...

That might work I got her in 1991. so if the A signifies 1990 the 9 could refer to September. As I remember it the timing would seem about right.

i really like the '03 and the '00 paint jobs

the '01-02 leave something to be desired...

I've noticed some white spots forming near the lugs on my frame. From what I understand that means electrolytic breakdown in the resin.

I may snap some pics and send them to Specialized for their opinion.

Aww man!! I like my 02 elite. I like the sparkly yellow and black a lot. ;)

To each their own.

Oh ... by the way... you might enjoy this deleriou5:

ftp://ftp.smoovenet.com/pub/lardlad/...ason9/bus6.mp3

cAPS

The only thing left to be desired is to ride it!! I got a 2001 Allez Sport in that awesome yellow with black decals.

-Dan the Man-

When did Specialized first come out with the Allez???

-Dan the Man-

Here is the photo from the Specialized website. I do not actually have any pictures of mine. I changed to a San Marco saddle, and I have Speedplay pedals, but you get the idea.

Another old school Epic Allez rider here. Just picked it up this winter, it's getting a new drivetrain this week: wheels, casette, chainrings & chain. About the only thing different from the pic is that red Schwinn seat has been banished and replaced by a Koobi AU Enduro.

Heres my 2001 Allez EliteI upgraded to Ultegra double but dont have a picture of it yet. I love this bike so much.

Hey propp, that's a nice bike! I got the 2001 Sport... almost the same, but has black and red it in. Very nice bike!!!

-Dan the Man-

Did the 2001 Elite and the 2002 Elite look exactly the same? That's my bike but with different wheels.

cAPS

http://members.cox.net/tbeaudoin1/pics/bikesncar.jpg

I don't have any pics of just the roadie, yet anyway!

2003 Allez Elite, pretty much stock stuff with Ultegra pedals. I ditched the pump for CO2, love that thing :D

Its in the kitchen on a trainer now, to hot out to ride :(

todd, nice 'stang in the background :)

Showing the 2003 Cippo Allez love (nakid pic be careful :rolleyes: )
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/att...&postid=690162
Dressed to kill
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/att...&postid=690165
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/att...&postid=690510
Matching 2003 Stumpjumper Pro
(oops cant find the pic put it's this frame in the exact same white they used on the allez only other color is the black lettering)
http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/attach...p?postid=88293

Sorry I meant to say 2002. I upgraded the wheels in that picture but by that point I hadnt upgraded the components.

http://sec1955.home.comcast.net/newbike.jpg

2004 Elite.
Just brought it home, first road bike - I am very excited.

Thats the first I've seen of the 2004s. That looks awsome. Nice bike. Congrats on the first roadie!

2004!?! I didn't know those came out yet. Oh man, I'm gonna have to go to my LBS and check em out!

-Dan the Man-

Here's my Allez Elite '03

I've had it for a few weeks now and love it!

I should have gotten silver bottle cages now that I've seen em on other Elites. Ah well, it's usually going by waaaaaay too fast for anyone to see anyway. ;)

Thanks!

Nice ride, sometime I wish I had a triple.......

It’s odd, at the LBS the ’03 version is more than the ’04. I don’t think the guys there noticed that until I pointed it out.
It looks like the main differences between the new and old bike and mainly cosmetic differences. Painted fork, different frame graphics etc..
Also the I think the rear derailer might be in a little bit different, but I am not sure – so don’t quote me on that one.

I don't know, gotta research on the '04 models.

-Dan the Man-

Great topic ockey53! I just ordered an '04 Allez Comp Cr-Mo with the triple (we got a lot of steep hills in Santa Barbara). Should be here early September. This is my first road bike in quite awhile. The big change for '04 is the inclusion of the Specialized Pave seatpost (a combination of carbon & elastomer - very trick). The handlebars get the new Specialized "Bar Phat" treatment. Same blue and white color scheme as last year but this year the frame comes in a 62cm as oppose to the 61cm of last year. The fork is now upgraded to a C4 (full carbon) same as on the S-Works bikes and on top of everything else the price is less than last years model. Oh yeah, and it's also reported to be slightly lighter than last year (probably the fork). I am also having the LBS put on a Shimano FlightDeck. I'm getting pretty excited just writing this... can't wait til it gets here. I'll post a picture when it does.