peiffer83

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I am a spinning instructor at my gym, and am ready to get a bike that actually moves. My local Bike shops have these bikes. Both for the same price $1050. I want to go fast, so I am picking a road bike. This is my first bike. I was wanting some opinions on both and what you guys think is the overall better bike. I really like the specialized because it is red and matches my shoes. I have not ridden the Cannondale yet and will this Saturday. The main difference I see is that the Specialized has the carbon seat stays. Also the guy at mountain man, where they sell the specialized gave me deals on all the accessories too.

https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/c...el-8RA96D.html

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...sp?sid=08Allez

Anyways here are the specs:

FRAME Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, compact race design, FACT carbon seatstays w/ Zertz inserts
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK Specialized FACT carbon steerer and fork legs w/ Zertz inserts, alloy crown
HEADSET Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed bearings, alloy 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM Specialized Comp-Set, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable
HANDLEBARS Specialized Expert, 6061 alloy, short-reach drop, ergonomic top shaping, 31.8mm
TAPE/GRIPS Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
REAR BRAKE Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Tiagra, 9-speed STI, flight deck compatible
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Tiagra, 9-speed STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE FREEWHEEL SRAM PG-950, 9-speed 11-28t
CHAIN Shimano HG73, 9-speed
CRANKSET Shimano Tiagra, 2-piece crankset
CHAINRINGS 50x34T
BOTTOM BRACKET Sugino integrated, exterior cartridge bearings, alloy
PEDALS Composite body, alloy cage w/ toe clips and straps
RIMS Jalco Dynamics 270, alloy triple wall, machined sidewalls w/ indicator grooves
FRONT HUB Specialized forged alloy, 24 hole, double sealed bearings, straight pull spokes, QR
REAR HUB Specialized forged alloy, 28 hole, double sealed bearings, straight pull spokes, cassette, QR
SPOKES Stainless 14g, straight-pull
FRONT TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI, Flak Jacket
REAR TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI, Flak Jacket
TUBES Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE Specialized Alias, carbon reinforced base, microfiber cover
SEAT POST Specialized Pavé II, FACT carbon w/ Zertz insert, aluminum head, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized CNC, alloy, 31.8mm clamp
NOTES Chain stay protector, chain catcher, derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual


Frame CAAD9 Optimo
Fork Slice Ultra Carbon
Rear Shock N/A
Rims Shimano, WH-R500A
Hubs Shimano, WH-R500A
Spokes Shimano, WH-R500A
Tires Maxxis Fuse Foldable, 700 X 23C
Pedals N/A
Crank Shimano Tiagra, 39/53
Chain Shimano 9-speed
Rear Cogs Sram PG-950, 12-26
Bottom Bracket Shimano, Tiagra
Front Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Shifters Shimano Tiagra
Handlebars Control Tech Compact
Stem Cannondale C-4
Headset FSA alloy integrated, 25mm top cover
Brakeset Shimano Tiagra
Brakelevers Shimano Tiagra
Saddle San Marco Ponza
Seat Post Cannondale C2 Carbon-wrapped
Sizes 48,50,52,54,56,58,60,63cm
Extras Shimano, WH-R500A, nipples, Cannondale gel tape

voltman

I'd take the CAAD.

rail157

I agree, go with the Cannondale. The Allez Elite is a nice frame, but the CAAD is truly impressive for an aluminum frame.

Hida Yanra

I own an Allez, but I wish I would have bought a CAAD instead. The frame is much better.

The Allez has some 105 mixed in which would be nice, but I'd say go with the better frame and if you are using it hard enough to notice the difference, you can upgrade it later. It is a much better idea to get the best frame you can, components can be upgraded from there.


CAAD all the way.

peiffer83

Even though it has the carbon seat stays?

nikoncmk

I think you are comparing apples to oranges... the allez is a more "relaxed" geometry. The correct comparisons are Allez to Synapse (not the caad)... I think.

voltman

Yes. The stays aren't that important on this frame.

voltman

The Allez has a racing geometry.

Jynx

I don't care what anyone says, mixed material bikes are a negative not a positive.

Pinyon

I like the Allez, but only because of how it fits my body. Test ride both on a really steep hill, and do a fast-spin and seated interval or two. That always tells me which one fits me better. I think that the frames are similar enough in performance and quality, as to make fit the most important thing. And maybe which one you think "looks" better.

peiffer83

Right now I like the look of the quickstep specialized right now. I guess I will just have to ride the caad this weekend.

peiffer83

Maybe there are alot of CAAD fans on here. But the Specialized does have better components with the 105 rear, but the caad does have a better wheelset.

KidTruth

Looks like I'm in late to vote for Specialized. I tested both bikes and went with the '08 Specialized Allez Elite. The ride was smoother, I liked the look more, and most importantly I love the stiffness of the Allez. I feel it is offset nicely by the carbon and the zertz inserts (I don't feel every tiny bump in the road) but when I'm really really putting all my strength into the bike that stiff frame works wonders. I feel like the bike is locked firmly in position even as I'm sprinting up to 30 mph (hey, it's fast for ME, okay?!)

The specialized wheels are on the heavy side, nothing special - but you aren't going to get any good wheels on a $1000 bike anyway. Having a 105 rear derailleur on the allez sealed the deal from me - aside from the fact that specialized also includes their new Alias saddle (because specialized makes not just bikes, but also all the peripherals you'll need to go along with it) which is a fantastic saddle, topped only by the Toupe (also a specialized saddle.)

KidTruth

Once more.. stiffness.. look at that bottom tube on the allez.. it's enormous. There is 0 frame flex, but with all the carbon/zertz/etc... it's still comfortable enough. It's a pretty intelligent frame design.

As for mixed frame materials, yadda yadda... gimme a break. Carbon is tough stuff. If you're going to say that an all-aluminum frame is inherently superior, your argument should logically extend to titanium, which is better in every way.. so why not recommend a titanium or steel bike instead? Aluminum is not a bad material, but IMO an aluminum frame with carbon fork/seatstays/seatpost is the way to go. It combines the durability (it won't need an ultrasound if it falls over) with the advantages of carbon (comfort, weight.)

Unless you're rich enough to not have to care. In that case, stop reading this thread and immediately go buy an S-Works Tarmac.

sprintr

CAAD... own it, love it!

peiffer83

Thanks, I wish there were more specialized fans here. I really like the specialized bike but I do have to test ride the caad. The guy who sells the specialized gave me a ton of deals on the bike and the accesories (all specialized) to go along with it.

voltman

I'm a Specialized fan, but I think the CAAD model is a better deal due to the frame. It looks like you've made up your mind already though. If you want the Specialized, go ahead and get it. It will be a good bike and you'll love riding it.

Hida Yanra

By all means, if you like the Allez, go for it. It is a great bike - I use and love mine for training rides, road races, crits, groc runs, and everything else.

IMHO the 105 RD is the best part of the Allez deal. The carbon is "eh" in my opinion - it doesn't make much a difference to my mind.
Inasmuch as you asked for opinions - I think the CAAD model is the better way to get into the world of machines-as-move-when-you pedal-them (yeah I spin too, just couldn't resist)
Getting the best possible foundation (frame) to work with is ideal in my mind - once you get started riding you will be buying extras anyway - I thought I would be able to resist buying little this-es & thats, but I gave in just as most everyone on BF has.

Bottom Line - you won't regret the Allez, get the one that you feel in your gut.

donotpanic

CAAD. the allez is insanely heavy and the carbon in the frame isn't really that great.

peiffer83

What is the weight of the allez, I cant find it anywhere, or im just stupid.

torps

caad9

Pinyon

I liked the stiffness of the Allez also. The only bikes that were stiffer were either too harsh, or out of my price range. If you are not a clyde like me, or like put BIG sprinter-type power to the pedals, then I don't think that you will be able to tell the difference with frame stiffness, though.

If you need more bike than either one of them offer, then you are ready for paid sponsors. Neither one of them will hold you back. Get the one that you LIKE, and feels best.

flaco

I had the very same choice when I bought my first road bike, and I bought the Allez, but in retrospect I wish I had gone with the Cannondale. I think the Zertz thing is gimmicky, and probably has far less effect on ride quality than people think. (Tire pressure and size are way more important factors.) The CAAD frame, on the other hand, is the best aluminum frame you can buy, and still made in the US. So, the tradeoff is a lower component spec on the Cannondale, but hey, if anything is unsatisfactory, you can trade up easily. Not so much the frame.

BarracksSi

Rode 'em both, liked 'em both. Actually, the Allez was the first "modern" road bike that I tried, and I was surprised by how it rode nicer than I ever expected from a road bike.

I ended up buying a CAAD8, and I dig it. I doubt that I'd complain if I had the Allez, though, either.

They're both good bikes.

GreenD

Like others have said, buy the bike that you think feels best. I had an 07 Allez Elite (basically the same as the 08) and I liked it but it was a little too big for me and the next size down was too small. Im stuck somewhere between a 52 and 49 in Specialized sizes otherwise I'd still have it. I test rode the caad9 6 twice and thought it was good bike too. It felt lighter and more nimble than the Allez. The Tiagra rear derailleur blows though, IMO. If you decide on the caad9, I would upgrade the RD to 105 on the spot. You probably wont notice the CF stays in the Allez, but the head tube is a little taller so riding position is a little more upright/comfortable or not as aggressive as the caad.