2007 Specialized Allez Comp: My 21,725mi ownership experience
On April 14, 2007, I dropped $1860 on my very first road bike: a 2007 Specialized Allez Comp road bike with all the accessories (clipless pedals, shoes, and lights). It was the most I had ever spent on a bike up until that point – and boy did it ever hurt.
It was a model up from what I went in there to buy (an Allez Elite), but I was super happy with this bike. It rewarded me with over 13 years and 21,721 miles of mostly trouble and incident free riding, and I don’t regret a thing.
What it was like to ride a 2007 Specialized Allez Comp from 2007-2020
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick spec sheet of the exact bike that I purchased from UC Cyclery in San Diego, California:
| FRAME | Specialized E5, fully manipulated Columbus E5 SLX tubing, compact race design, FACT carbon seatstays w/ Zertz inserts |
| FORK | Specialized FACT carbon steerer and fork legs w/ Zertz inserts |
| HEADSET | Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8″ integrated threadless, cartridge 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, Tellon piots, forged 7050 alloy with cartridge pads |
| REAR BRAKE | Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged 7050 alloy w/ cartridge pads |
| BRAKE LEVERS | Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible |
| FRONT DERAILLEUR | Shimano 105, 10-speed, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Shimano 105, 10-speed, short cage |
| SHIFT LEVERS | Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible |
| CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL | Shimano 105, 10-speed 12-27t |
| CHAIN | Shimano 105, 10-speed |
| CRANKSET | Shimano 105, Hollowtech II 2-piece crankset |
| CHAINRINGS | 52x39T |
| BOTTOM BRACKET | Shimano 105, Hollowtech II |
| PEDALS | Composite body test ride pedals |
| RIMS | Mavic Aksium |
| FRONT HUB | Mavic Aksium, 20 hole, Mavic QR |
| REAR HUB | Mavic Aksium, 24 hole, Mavic QR |
| SPOKES | Stainless 14g aero |
| FRONT TIRE | Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI |
| REAR TIRE | Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI |
| TUBES | Specialized standard presta tube |
| SADDLE | Specialized Body Geometry 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 |
It’s worth noting that my bike was a “double” (dual front chain ring). Frame size was 56 cm.
Up close detail shots from the day that I purchased it
Even way back in 2007, the Specialized Allez was a total work of art. I probably spent more time taking pictures than I did riding it that very first day, but I’m glad I did. This was the cleanest it ever was:
2007 to 2010: slowly getting accustomed to Road Bike Life
Honestly? I didn’t ride this bike that much those first 3 years. I also had a 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp and a custom built bike with a Nashbar Cyclocross frame at the time, so the Allez was mostly used for my longer weekend rides around San Diego.
On February 28, 2009, this bike put me in the hospital. It wasn’t because of a crash. It was due to my own stupidity while doing some maintenance.
I was attempting to take the chain ring off during a very spirited cleaning session, and my hand slipped off the wrench – which sent my thumb across the top of the ring. It was the first time in my life that I ever had to get stitches.
2011-2014: Adding up The miles
The next three years was when I was really starting to get to know (and love) this bike. I was riding it far more than any of my other bikes at the time, and the miles were adding up. I even started customizing it.
2015-2017: officially a “roadie”
The transition from mountain biker to roadie was complete. I was putting a ton of miles on the Allez, and it was holding up well for the most part. Unfortunately, finding time to do proper maintenance was becoming a problem (due to my heavy workload at the time).
In January of 2016 I made an overview / current status video and posted it to my YouTube channel:
Living in San Diego meant that I rode this bike year round. It never got a break, and it was starting to show signs of heavy wear and tear by early 2017.
2018-2020: the end
Nearly every major component of this bike was still original in 2018. The drivetrain, pedals, cranks, wheels (and every bearing) were showing signs of heavy wear. The drivetrain was getting bad. Shifts were sluggish, and it was having a lot of difficulty staying in gear – no matter how many adjustments I made.
Despite how frustrated I was getting with how much maintenance it was requiring, it was still my primary bike. I loved it to death.
February 21, 2020 was the day it all ended. I was out for my usual Saturday morning bike ride and everything was going great. Until the chain snapped.
My plan was to fix it. I am far from being the world’s best bike mechanic, but I do know how to change a chain. At least I thought I did.
Long story short, I didn’t have the proper tools for the job. I had every intention of fixing it. I really did. I didn’t have the time to tinker with it however, so I started riding my 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp full-time instead.
I never rode the Allez again.
So what the heck happened to it?
I was getting tired of it taking up space by mid 2023. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. It certainly wasn’t worth anything, and I didn’t want the hassle of selling it.
I decided to place it outside by the dumpster at my condominium complex (just to see if there were any takers). If not, the plan was to donate it to Goodwill.
It was gone the next morning. So long, old friend.
