Specialized Allez E5

Exceeds expectations and price tag – It is now over a year down the line after buying the Specialized Allez E 5 sport. The store steered me away from more expensive purchases and told me the E5 was all I needed. Having cycled on average 150km a week and used it in a couple of triathlons, I am extremely pleased with their recommendation. The bike is comfortable, fast enough for what I… Read more

need, handles superbly and has proved very durable. I have had a few interludes with other more aggressive bikes and a few aero frames, but always come back to the Allez. I will upgrade the wheels when the standard Axis wheels come to the end of their life. Other than that, the bike still has all the original components.

MADE A MISTAKE – I purchase a specialized E5 ALLEZ just over 18 months ago and have had nothing but trouble. At the time i wanted a entry level road bike to take on group rides with a local cycling club. I restore vintage and classic road bikes as a hobby with my son and have built many bicycles for myself and friends. i know my way around a bicycle. After… Read more

taking delivery of the E5 ALLEZ i set out on a solo ride and was disappointed that the rear derailleur was bent and was jumping gears.

It was returned to the store and repaired.

Several months later during a long group ride while decending down a hill i noticed two of the rear spokes had come out. This repair i completed after removing the tube and tyre on the side of the road as i was a long way from home.

A few more months passed and the bike started to develop a load creaking and ticking noise in the crankset.

The bike was still under warranty so i returned to the place of purchase to have it seen to.

When i returned to collect the bike they told me some bikes creak form time to time but the re-packed the bottom bracket [crank bearing] with grease.

Now these models come with a Shimano Octalink crankset with a SEALED bearing in the that is not possible to repack with grease!

As the bicycle store has three shops in the state i live in i then took it to another store for a second opinion.

Same outcome , poor service and no idea.

This model is one of the cheapest in their range and although the frame is rather good it is built for the sunday rider and the running components are crappier that other entry level bikes from other stores.

Now that the warranty has run out i have purchased the tool to remove the cranks and found that the bottom bracket retainers were made of plastic thus causing the irritating noise.

I have removed these cranks and components at my own cost as it was still cheaper than starting again.

There is a saying "you pay for what you get" however i paid a bit more for the name and the cheap parts i couldn't see and eventually had to replace.

Be careful when buying from bike shops with coffee machines in them, someones got to pay for the overheads.