The new Specialized Allez, launched today, has switched from rim brakes to disc brakes, with quick hubs replaced with quick releases. Tire clearance is also higher than the previous bike’s 28mm to make room for 35mm tires with 4mm of clearance.
It follows trends seen in the best road bikes, and Specialized says that although the Allez is designed mostly as a road bike, it allows riders of the new Allez to head out onto light gravel, rather than sticking to tarmac.
Specialized has Allez in its collection since the original Allez steel pull Launched in 1981, the Allez remains an important bike for the brand. It is believed that the new Allez is “a solid everything bike option for the road rider who is likely just getting into the sport and wants one bike for commutes, group rides and getting into that first race.”
The new Allez is built from the same E5 aluminum alloy as the outgoing bike, but Specialized has tweaked its geometry, which is now the same as the Roubaix carbon endurance bike across the size range. Specialized says the geometry is comfortable and confidence-inspiring, but still gives the feel of a pure race bike. Claimed weight for a 56cm painted frame is 1,375 grams, which is the lightest in its class as per Specialized claims. As with the old bike, there is a full FACT carbon fork.
The frame retains the old bike’s internal cable routing through a tube that’s slightly squared down, while the seat-mount bridge has a counterweight design that Specialized says is for aesthetic purposes. It also requires a standard 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket and both the frame and fork can accept standard mudguards, although this drops tire clearance to 32mm. You can also fit a rear rack, which is probably a bonus for commuters and those who like to do some light touring.
Allez and Allez Sport models
The new Allez will be available in two specification levels. Allez’s base bike, priced at £1,100 ($1,200, €1,200, $1,800 AU$), is equipped with an 8-speed Shimano Claris groupset, including 50/34t chainset, with a SunRace 11-32t cassette and Tektro mechanical disc brakes. Given that disc brakes are more complex and expensive than rim brakes, a £100 price increase over the outgoing model seems reasonable, as does the new Allez’s curb weight of around 10kg / 22.2lb.
Switch to Allez Sport and the bike is equipped with a Shimano Tiagra 10-speed groupset with a Praxis Alba 50/34t chainring and the same SunRace 11-32t cassette, but including Tiagra hydraulic disc brakes in the chainring. Specialized claims that the bike’s weight is reduced to 9.5 kg / 21 lbs, while the Allez Sport is priced at £1,600 ($1,800, €1,750, AU$2,500).
Both specs include the same set of Specialized Axis Sport disc-ready wheels and Specialized Roadsport 30c tires, as well as a 27.2mm alloy seatpost with 12mm offset and a steel frame geometry bridge saddle. The front end is the same too, with Specialized’s shallow fall alloy bars on a 7-degree-raise alloy stem.
There are a total of seven sizes available, ranging from 44cm to 61cm, all with 700c wheels. Specialized says the frame size is 44cm smaller than many kids’ bikes, making the Allez a first choice road bike for older kids.
The new Allez sits alongside the Allez Sprint racer, which Specialized keeps in its lineup. If you’re curious to see how it actually rides, we got one on the test and already have our initial thoughts for a first-ride review.
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