kabex

Hey all, just stumbled upon this:
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...ompact-m2-apex

There has been a lot of interest on the board about this bike, it's nice to finally see a professional review on it. Seems really biased though(too positive).

I have considered buying one for a long time now but really wanted to know the exact weight of the frame, fork & full bike:
Frame: 1360 gm with seat post collar & derailleur hanger (pretty good)
Fork: 590 gm (huge boat anchor - pretty sad)
Complete bike: 8.94 kg (completely laughable :/ )

Too bad, also- I hadn't noticed it used SRAM S100 cranks, that's just terrible. One would have guessed they'd include the Apex crank but oh well.

To the CAAD crew: game, set- match.

The CAAD 10-4 is a bit more expensive at $1800 MSRP compared to the Allez' $1450 but $350 gets you:
~90 gram lighter frame
~250 gram lighter full carbon fork
BB30
RIVAL
Force crank
7.7 kilos total compared to 8.94 so almost 3 pounds!

My conclusion:
Frame-set? Yes, for $550 + $300 down the line for the new 3T Rigida Pro 1.5" tapered full carbon fork @ 380 grams you're looking at 1740 grams total at $850, not bad at all.
Complete bike? CAAD 10-4, no contest.

revchuck 

FWIW, I just picked up my Allez frameset built up with the parts from my CAAD9. The weight was 20.14 lbs., everything except the loaded seat bag included.

61cm Allez Comp frameset
Ultegra 6600 brifters
DA 7800 RD
Force FD
Ultegra (6600?) brakes
FSA Gossamer compact crankset
Cannondale 110mm stem and 44cm bars
Mavic Open Pro CD 32 spoke rims w/Ultegra hubs
700x25c Gatorskins
Brooks Team Pro saddle
Look Kéo Sprint pedals
King stainless bottle cages (2)

The wheels and saddle are relatively heavy, but I don't race, so weight isn't that much of an issue. I'll worry about bike weight when I lose the 20 or so extra pounds I'm carrying.

bengreen79

I thought I'd read a review about it a couple months ago - in Road Bike Action maybe?

But it also uses Red chain rings (noticed that at the LBS as well). I'm guessing it's just a marketing game to make it look more expensive. I wonder if the weight ends up being a wash. I personally don't like the looks of the SRAM Red chainring. It reminds of those bikes from the '80's with the solid chain ring.

I checked out a CAAD when I bought my 2010 Allez. I liked the sloping top tube because I have short legs for my height and the standover was more friendly.

2ndGen

Nice!

A CAAD vs. SpeicalEd comparo!

BRING IT!



(Oh...****)

Adrianinkc

Forgot to mention the seat post, it's aluminum and wrapped in carbon.

2ndGen

I saw that review too Ben...it got a great review.

eyeheartny

I'm glad it got a good review-- I have that bike and LOVE it. I upgraded the wheels to Fulcrum 5's with quality tires and it feels like a different bike in lots of good ways. Like the review says, the stock wheels really are a hindrance, but get past those and it's pretty sweet for the $$.

eippo1

Totally agree with you on this, but as someone who has sold generations of these, the more expensive models generally sit around until they are heavily discounted while the lower-priced versions go like hotcakes. I'm guessing that they offer the frameset for those that know they want the higher-end components on an aluminum bike. Most of the time, though, people that want that geometry with decent components go for the Tarmac anyway.

FYI, they offer a higher-end Secteur with 105 and carbon chainstays for the more recreational rider.

bengreen79

I put Fulcrum 5's on my Allez, too. I've only really ridden it in non-ideal weather conditions since then so I can't tell how much better they were than the Alex S500's they came with. The freewheel sounds cooler