2011 Specialized Allez
 

OK, looking at the website, for the Allez, it shows the highest level to be Apex with huge price gap between that and the Tarmac. Is there really no 105 or Rival Allez? Or do they just not have all the Allez's online yet?

AFAIK, that is indeed the case. Bummer, indeed.

The frame is money, find a secondhand rival/force group and you've got a sweet bike at a pretty good price. They're probably not going to make a 105/rival allez, people looking for those kind of components tend to shy away from aluminum frames

Isn't the Secteur sort of in that gap?

No.

The Secteur is the aluminum version of the Roubaix. I thought the Allez was the aluminum version of the Tarmac.

I'm not sure I think "most" companies are avoiding the 105/aluminum combination...just the short-sighted ones!

CAAD10-5
CAAD10-4
Bianchi Via Nirone 7 105
Trek 2.3
Defy 1
Felt F75
Scott Speedster S20

Although, even Specialized is making the Secteur in a 105 option.

Oh well, not the end of the world. I just noticed the lack of 105 option and thought I would ask. Not going shopping quite yet anyway!

In terms of price point, alone, there's a big void between the ~$1600 mark (for limited component selection on alu frames) and the ~$2600 mark (for similarly limited, albeit better components) on carbon frames. (ok, and one $2000 mark for tarmac w/ apex. tarmac w/ rival is 2600...) kinda lame.

Aluminum ftw. Buy the frame and turn it into the best Allez the world has ever seen.

I'm just happy they have an allez frameset this year. $550 is an incredible price. If the bb crack on my tarmac even manifests itself into something real, I'm going to jump on an allez frame.

I love my 2011 Allez. Considering upgrading a few parts (saddle, seat post, front deraileur) but other than that it's amazing. Very fast, very stiff front front end and fits me really well.

I almost want to buy one in case I need it one day. I wish they came in bulk at Costco. They'd make great wall decorations in the meantime.

I almost said the same thing. Honestly, I am shocked at how low of a price that is. I assume that comes with fork/headset, but does anyone know for sure?

I wouldnt mind apex, I dont think, but I am happy to have my 2010 allez elite (?) 105 setup. I dont know what else changed, but if you want an al 105 bike, look for 2010 leftovers.

I think, based on the numbers that ive seen 2011 105 prices have gone way up, making it a pricing issue, not so much of an philosophy not to offer it because of other reasons.

The Allez frameset comes with fork, headset, and seat post.

With good shopping, you can build up an Allez with Ultegra 6700 groupset and Ritchey WCS cockpit for less than $2,000. Same geometry as Tarmac and just a couple of ounces heavier. Sweet deal.

^^^This. The only thing I did not like was the lack of other color options with the Allez frameset. It only comes in the white/blue color.

I really like that they are offering the frame set. It really gets the wheels turning.

I've got the 2011 trek 2.1 and it came with the new 5700 series 105 group.

. . . but it's a Trek 2.1.

On today's LBS visit, we weighed the top-of-the-line 2011 Allez (Apex) and the 2011 Trek 2.1 (105). Which was heavier? Neither. They weighed out within less than an ounce of each other -- both weigh 20.5 pounds.

Just ordered the new Allez frame today and plan to build it up with a mix of 105 and ultegra. I'm excited now just have to.pick up a solid set of wheels

any ideas on what the frame weighs?

I would think Apex would be considerably lighter than 105. So that trek either has way lighter stuff/frame or the allez is heavier in those areas.

It's really impossible to know if Apex is lighter than 105, if the 2.1 frame is lighter than Allez, or if one or the other specs heavier wheels than the other without weighing the individual components. (Of course, this being the BF, Apex MUST be lighter than 105 -- and probably than Dura Ace and Super Record, too!)

The frameset price is impressive. I would imagine the fork is just shy of a boat anchor being 1 1/2" at the bottom bearing and being made of aluminum.

As has been stated, Rival build kits start at ~$1100 and frameset cost is $550.

The white frameset is pretty good looking too.