That is... one Copy of the Tarmac?! This or something similar is not only the first reaction in the TOUR editorial team to the Allez Sprint have failed, the Specialised in the spring of this year. By their own admission, the US Americans' motivation for copying themselves was to "the fastest aluminium road bike in the world", with the same characteristics as the popular and proven Competition all-rounder with Carbon frame: aerodynamic, agile, comfortable. In times when aluminium frames are almost only found in very cheap and rather simple racing bikes, this is a remarkable approach - especially as the Allez the current Tarmac SL7 is the spitting image of her face.
Specialized Allez Sprint: Success story in aluminium
But the impulse to directly compare the Aluminium-Allez with a Carbon-Tarmac SL7 the still exciting question "Aluminium or carbon?", we didn't give in after all - the price ranges and features are too different: The Allez Sprint costs in the Comp version 3300 Eurowhile the most favourable Tarmac SL7 only from 5600 Euro is available.
But: The predecessor of the current Tarmacthat SL6will continue to be offered, with almost identical features as the Allez and only 150 euros more expensive. From a purely visual point of view, the new Specialized Allez Sprint is a whole generation ahead. more modern therefore; can the Carbon racerwhich many professionals of the calibre of Peter Sagan to victories just a short time ago, perhaps even buy the grit?
The Specialised Allez Sprint Comp
The Specialised Tarmac SL6 Sport
TOUR test in laboratory, wind tunnel and practice
Like no other racing bike from Specialised looks at the Allez can look back on a long (successful) history. Starting with the original steel model, which the company founder Mike Sinyard 1981 as the brand's first racing bike, the bike gradually developed into an affordable Competition racer In 2015, the "Sprint" addition was added to the aerodynamically better Tarmac equalised. How competitive a Aluminium racer three years ago at a criterium race in front of the Tour Down Underas Peter Sagan a Specialised Allez Sprint in Top equipment (Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Roval wheels CLX 64) in second place.
Certainly, the Allez Sprint only had a brief intermezzo in the PelotonIn retrospect, the race is more likely to be categorised as marketing. Nevertheless Specialisedwhich Potential is still in aluminium frames - and our test also proves that aluminium as a frame material is not a thing of the past: When comparing the Allez with the Tarmac SL6, the scores are at least equal.
Significant differences
Nevertheless, there are of course differences between the bikes - significant ones in the literal sense of the word: 427 grammes is that Aluminium frame set heavier than the Carbon counterpart. Although Specialised Thanks to a special process and parts moulded from one piece (head tube and bottom bracket shell), fewer weld seams are required, which should save weight. 1526 grammes are in favour of a Aluminium frame but not sensationally easy.
ClassificationThe old Allez - still with rim brakes - was close 120 grammes lighter (TOUR 3/2019). Especially when accelerating and on climbs, the Allez not quite with the Tarmac keep up - whereby the SL6 Sport also only ranks in the midfield of comparable competition bikes in terms of weight (TOUR 4/2021).
Specialised Allez Sprint: Nimble in the wind
In a direct comparison, however, that's it for the disadvantages. In fact, the newly designed Aluminium classic clear more aerodynamic: He demands in the Wind tunnel 231 wattsin order to achieve the test speed of 45 km/h and is therefore almost one class better than the Tarmac SL6 Sport (239 watts).
Especially the more favourably shaped seat tubewhich Carbon seat post and the semi-integrated trains at the Handlebar-stem unit do that Allez faster. The Aero advantage is particularly evident in Crosswindlike our Simulation in the Wind tunnel occupied. With faster wheels (Zipp 404, year 2018) improves the Allez even on 219 wattswhich makes it comparable to significantly more expensive Race all-rounders can keep up; however, this was already achieved by the Allez with Rim brakes.
Back to the question of aluminium or carbonIf you could ride a road bike blindfolded, you would hardly be able to tell the difference between the two bikes. The geometry is identical apart from a few nuances, although you sit slightly more upright on the Allez. Both very stable racers do not pose any problems when changing corners quickly. The slightly lower suspension comfort on the saddle of the Allez is only noticeable on rough surfaces, but with tyres up to 32 millimetres wide, it is relatively easy to make adjustments.
The advertising slogan "aluminium superbike" may be a little over the top, but the Allez Sprint doesn't need to shy away from comparison with carbon bikes. (Test editor Julian Schultz)
With the Equipment On the other hand, there is not much choice. Specialised offers the Allez Sprint only in two versions. In the Comp variant it is with Shimano 105 groupset and equipped with the Chainring combination 52/36 and the 11-28 cassette somewhat more racing than the Tarmac (50/34, 11-30). It also rolls - like the Tarmac - on relatively heavy and flat Aluminium rims from DT Swiss.
More harmoniously equipped and naturally faster the top version presents itself Allez Sprint LTD with the Force-eTap radio control from SRAM, fast Roval carbon wheels and flat Aero handlebars; built up in this way, however, the price climbs to 7500 Euro.
Exclusive metal
The fact that racing bikes with Aluminium frame are per se more favourable than those with Carbon frameis true nowadays and by way of example Specialised at least not (any more). The Allez is, as already mentioned, only 150 Euro under the almost identically equipped Tarmac SL6 Sport with Carbon frame.
The price of 1800 Euro for the frame set, which is available in five colours, indicates that riding an aluminium racer has an almost exclusive touch these days. Until three years ago, you could still get a complete aluminium Allez Sprint Compwhich, like the one for 899 Euro frame set was in great demand and was chronically sold out.
Conclusion on the comparison
Conclusion: The new Allez Sprint is undoubtedly a great bike - if we had to choose between Specialised and Specialised opt for the refreshed aluminium racer. Although the additional weight and the slightly lower frame comfort cannot be argued away, the advertising slogan of the "Aluminium superbike" may therefore also somewhat exaggerated be.
With Significantly better aerodynamics fetches the Allez and is exactly on a par with the second place in the final standings. Tarmac. Ultimately, the striking aluminium frame lets the pendulum swing towards the Allez swing out. It simply offers more Character than the SL6 Sportwhich threatens to get lost in the flood of similarly designed carbon bikes.
The two wheels in detail
Facts about the Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
- Weight: 8.7 kilos
- Price: 3300 Euro
- Aerodynamics: 231 watts
- Info: www.specialized.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1526/449/67 g
Frame sizes** 49/52/54/56/58/61 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 540/550/153 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 574/387 mm/1.48
Wheelbase/caster 990/53 mm
Equipment
Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 (2x11, 52/36, 11-28 t.)
Brakes Shimano 105 (160/140 mm)
Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss R470/Specialized Turbo Pro 26 mm (f./h. 1359/1,835 g)
Facts about the Specialised Tarmac SL6 Sport
- Weight: 8.3 kilos
- Price: 3450 Euro
- Aerodynamics: 239 watts
- Info: www.specialized.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1099/455/62 g
Frame sizes** 49/52/54/56/58/61 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 520/565/165 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 568/394 mm/1.44
Wheelbase/caster 990/52 mm
Equipment
Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 (2x11, 50/34, 11-30 t.)
Brakes Shimano 105 (160/140 mm)
Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss R470/Specialized Turbo Pro 26 mm (f./h. 1,359/1,835 g)
*Weighed weights. **Manufacturer's specification Test size bold. ***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal dimension from centre of bottom bracket to top of head tube; STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched sitting position, 1.60 means an upright sitting position. ****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
All technical details to the wheels and Single notes is available in the TOUR issue 8/2022.
Julian Schultz
Editor
