We know that Specialized can build good carbon frames. The Tarmac, on which countless professional victories have been achieved, has been one of the best for years; with the Roubaix comfort model and the Venge aero racing bike, the Americans are also pursuing the goal of being among the world leaders in their respective segments. As in the entire racing bike market, aluminium did not play a role as a material for high-end demands. Most recently, almost all manufacturers only used aluminium for cheaper, somewhat heavier models. Cannondale bucked the trend in 2010 and shifted the standards in aluminium frame construction with the CAAD 10, whose frame weighs less than 1,200 grams and made many mid-range carbon frames look technically obsolete. Some already saw the beginning of a small aluminium renaissance. However, the CAAD 10 was a real head-turner for the competition, and since then nothing equal or even better has come along.
Now Specialized is trying its hand in the top aluminium league with the new S-Works Allez. The basis for this is a new production technology known as Smart Weld. The ends of the multi-butted frame tubes are turned inwards to increase the surface area of the welded joints. This is intended to save weight, as the wall thicknesses can be kept low, and to increase the rigidity of the frame triangle through stronger connections. The voluminous tubes, the striking curve in the top tube and the meticulously polished weld seams make the Allez look like a carbon Tarmac model at first glance. Only a closer look at the shimmering metallic lettering, which is cut out of the black paint, reveals the bare aluminium.
On the TOUR test benches, the Allez shows that Specialized's promises are not just empty phrases. At 1,188 grams, it is one of the three lightest aluminium frames we have had on the scales so far. The stiffness and comfort values also leave little to be desired, but there is still a little room for improvement. The Allez frame can't easily knock the CAAD 10 off its throne, but as the first competitor it proves to be technically on a par and therefore a serious alternative to a carbon chassis. There is as little to criticise about the build with Shimano's triple Dura-Ace and in-house components as there is about the total weight of 6.6 kilos.
In the saddle, the Allez proves to be a flawless athlete that has inherited the aggressive riding position and manoeuvrable steering behaviour of the Tarmac as well as its striking appearance. At € 1,899 for the frame set with seat post, it is unfortunately not a significantly cheaper alternative, and the complete bike is also relatively expensive at € 5,999. But for a real S-Works you always had to pay a little more.
Price complete wheel 6,999 Euro
Price frame set 1,899 Euro
Weight 6.6 kilos
Available in specialised shops
Reference/Info www.specialized.com
Frame sizes*** 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm
Seat/steering angle 74°/74°
Seat/top tube/head tube 520/570/166mm plus 22mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 995/51mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 574/402mm/1.43
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing Specialised, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Brakes/gears Shimano Dura Ace
Bottom bracket Specialised S-Works (50/34 t., BB30)
Wheels/tyres Specialized Roval Rapide CLX 40/Specialized S-Works Turbo 25mm
Handlebar/stem Specialized S-Works/Specialized SL
Saddle/post Specialized Admol/Specialized S-Works Carbon (27.2mm)
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Weight of complete wheel 6.6kg (without pedals)
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing**** 1,188/367/57 grammes
Standardised weight frame set***** 1.639g: 2,7
Steering head stiffness 94 Nm/°: 1.7
Lateral stiffness fork 47 N/mm: 2.0
Bottom bracket stiffness 50 N/mm: 2.7
Comfort frame 166 N/mm: 2.0
Comfort fork 109 N/mm: 5.0
* The frame set accounts for 40 per cent of the overall score and the features for 60 per cent. Individual grades are included in this assessment, only some of which are printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
** Manufacturer's specifications; test size in bold.
*** Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (stack to reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
**** Weighed weights.
***** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
