petmcgratt
Well-Known Member
petmcgratt, You say the spesh is no comparison but fail to explain yourself? I agree the Spesh is a better ride but not a night and day difference - is it that the spesh is a better fit for you as that makes a big difference on how the bike rides and performs? (there are complaints about those Alex rimmed wheels on forums too) I've also ridden other bikes that are much better - eg Boardman Team Carbon - fabulous and so smooth yet puts the power down really well (and they have wheel issues too with spokes coming loose 
)[/QUOTE]
Kev, sorry for failing to explain myself. I never thought of the geometry side of things but since you mention it, it definitely is more comfortable ride and better fit. Interms of the spec it beats the vitus alios triple in most things and I am not trying to knock the triple in anyway but what would have been the point in me paying more money for something that is a lower spec than the bike I have already got.
To start the specialized has an external bottom bracket, it also has a fully integrated headset so you don't have the visible headset seen on the vitus. In terms of the wheels, you are right in that the alex s500 rims get mixed reviews but I have noticed that they have an extremely quiet freehub which is even quieter than my upgraded campag khamsin freehub. The spesh has carbon composite forks unlike the vitus unless you buy the upgraded vitus alios triple. In terms of the groupset it is all shimano sora with a tiagra rear derailleur unlike the vitus which has a mixed bag of campag parts. The campag brakes levers are plastic and have come wobbly whereas the sora brake levers are a light but much more sturdier alloy. My own campag rare derailluer is a campag champ which again is mostly plastic and has already signs of wear. If you look closely at the front triple chain ring set on the vitus the spacing bewteen the large and middle and middle and small rings is quite large compared to sora triple chain ring or any good quality racing chain ring. I ended up having to change my front chain ring to a raceface to make the transition alot smoother as I was afraid I was going to break my gear lever trying to get the chain up onto the large ring. I will stop there but I think in my own honest opinion the spec of the vitus alios (which I will still use and am not complaining about in anyway but just that you wanted me to explain myself) is not just as good as the specialized allez sport. For the extra few hundred quid you are definitely getting a better bike.
Peter
)[/QUOTE]Kev, sorry for failing to explain myself. I never thought of the geometry side of things but since you mention it, it definitely is more comfortable ride and better fit. Interms of the spec it beats the vitus alios triple in most things and I am not trying to knock the triple in anyway but what would have been the point in me paying more money for something that is a lower spec than the bike I have already got.
To start the specialized has an external bottom bracket, it also has a fully integrated headset so you don't have the visible headset seen on the vitus. In terms of the wheels, you are right in that the alex s500 rims get mixed reviews but I have noticed that they have an extremely quiet freehub which is even quieter than my upgraded campag khamsin freehub. The spesh has carbon composite forks unlike the vitus unless you buy the upgraded vitus alios triple. In terms of the groupset it is all shimano sora with a tiagra rear derailleur unlike the vitus which has a mixed bag of campag parts. The campag brakes levers are plastic and have come wobbly whereas the sora brake levers are a light but much more sturdier alloy. My own campag rare derailluer is a campag champ which again is mostly plastic and has already signs of wear. If you look closely at the front triple chain ring set on the vitus the spacing bewteen the large and middle and middle and small rings is quite large compared to sora triple chain ring or any good quality racing chain ring. I ended up having to change my front chain ring to a raceface to make the transition alot smoother as I was afraid I was going to break my gear lever trying to get the chain up onto the large ring. I will stop there but I think in my own honest opinion the spec of the vitus alios (which I will still use and am not complaining about in anyway but just that you wanted me to explain myself) is not just as good as the specialized allez sport. For the extra few hundred quid you are definitely getting a better bike.
Peter
