I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. The current over-hyped feeling toward carbon is just way over the top, and alu bikes are way underrated! :thumb:

Sorry to jack the the thread a bit. This thread kind of got me interested in this frame so I did a quick search and came up with this.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bik/896271668.html

The ad says that the frame does not have S-Works written on it, but I can clearly see it on both the frames mentioned in this thread. Different years?

What's so coveted about this frame?

That frame was produced and was available primarily to LBS employees as a special if I remember correctly. It is the same frame as the standard S-Works E5 but with carbon seat stays. That frame does not S-Works emblems, just the big Specialized S.

Well I started the build at 10:00pm last night and took for her first shakedown ride at 9:00am this morning........

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...cture007-3.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...cture013-3.jpg

Totally F'n sweet ride. Congrats. How does it compare to your Tarmac?

Before getting all the way through the thread I was going to post another Aluminum S-Works I found on the Seattle CL, but it looks like you've kept the damaged one. She looks like a beauty, minus that dent :( .

On a related note, do you know what the difference between one of the Allez aluminum frames and that S-Works frame is? They look very similar.

Bummer. Sorry about the disappointment.

If you want I'll gather up some members and we'll go down there (UPS) and exact some vengeance. :mad:

I'm not going if it's the US Postal Service though . . . . . those are some bad*****es down there. :o I got a family and all.

Some of the lower end Allez frames were made of A1 Aluminum. The higher end Allez, prior to 2009 were made from the same Columbus E5 SLX Aerotech aluminum as the S-Works E5. The difference between those and the S-Works is the hydroforming of the tubes. (Notice the top tube difference betweenthe S-Works E5 & Allez)
I beleive the S-Works utlizes less material and are lighter.

T.J.

Just got home from a 43 mile shakedown ride. I was expecting the E5 bike to ride overly stiff but even with the ES wheels on it it was fine. The E5 took bumps a tad harder than the Tarmac but not overly so. Honestly Joe if I closed my eyes I would have a hard time telling you which bike I was on. Keep in mind the E5 and the 06 Tarmac have EXACT matching geometry.

Did somebody say E5? ;) Here's mine:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e4...-1-2008010.jpg

It's one sweet ride, for sure. As you've noticed, the ride totally belies the conventional wisdom about aluminum. It's really quite smooth and comfortable. And of course, the bike is just an absolute rocket. The E5 is an extremely well-balanced frame. I have no concerns about speed in crits or comfort in road races. I'm absolutely itching to race it come March.

Beauty grolby...Yea, I was very impressed and surprised by the ride quality. I can honestly say that my carbon does not ride all that much better. Maybe it mutes the road noise a bit but not by a huge amount.

Gary, it looks like your aluminum has been rocked, not the other way around.

KA CHOW!

It'll be interesting to experiment / hear your impressions with the same wheels.

Cheers,
T.J.

I'm glad that the frame will work for you!

Honestly I was a little worried that you wouldn't be able to ride it at all :/

I have ridden the ES's on both so my opinion on todays ride was with a wheel set that I have used on both bikes :thumb:

Man, that really sucks about the shipping damage. I'm with you, totally OCD want everything to be perfect. Nevertheless, I think you got a really good deal on a winter bike and something you won't be afraid to race in crits (if that's your thing).
I love my Caad9, I think there will always be a market for a nice high end aluminum bike, but I'm not sure the major manufacturers agree.
I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I enjoyed seeing the build.