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Are you just getting into cycling? If you’re planning on buying your first road bike then look no further than the Specialized Allez road bike, available in three different specifications they’re designed to suit your budget and cycling ambitions.
Whether you want to start riding socially on the road or to save money and get fit by commuting to work the Specialized Allez is a fantastic road bike to start your journey. Perhaps you want to set up your new road bike on a static indoor trainer during the week and then quickly and easily head out at the weekends to explore your local roads? Have you set yourself a cycling challenge such as a Sportive or are attempting your first Triathlon? We would recommend a Specialized Allez for a number of reasons, not least because of the amount ‘trickle-down technology’ included on these bikes.
What’s trickle-down technology? It’s a term we use in the bike industry to describe design innovation and componentry that was initially implemented a lot further up the food chain but is now utilised on entry-level bikes, what does this mean in reality? It means you’ll directly benefit from technology that makes your entry into road cycling all the more user-friendly and enjoyable.
At the heart of each Allez model is a superlight Specialized E5 frame and carbon fibre fork. Taking a lot of the engineering principles that the Specialized designers have developed on their top-of-the-line carbon fibre frames each alloy tube is cleverly manipulated and shaped to save weight and increase strength and stiffness where it is needed most. While some entry-level road bikes feature alloy or cheap carbon fibre forks which detract from the overall ride quality, there’s no such compromise here. Specialized have fitted a full FACT carbon fibre fork which drops the overall weight of the bike, contributes to better handling and gives you more confidence to ride faster on tricky descents and tight turns.
With versatility in mind and the consideration that you may well be commuting on your Allez during the week Specialized have included pannier rack and mudguard mounts to allow you to equip your bike for the daily demands of riding to and from work. The geometry of the bike (how it fits you) has been developed using Specialized’s 30+ years of experience in designing and constructing bikes; the Allez features user-friendly geometry that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring while still providing performance-minded handling that you’d expect from your first road bike.
The alloy frame and carbon fibre fork is the same across all three Allez bikes we are looking at here, so what determines the price difference? If you chose to pay a little more what are you getting that’s different and how will it benefit you and your riding? The biggest, most significant difference between each bike is the ‘Groupset’ it has been spec’d with. When we talk about the groupset we are referring to the componentry that drives the bike forward, handles the gear changing and takes care of the braking duties. When you pay a little more you can expect a groupset with a wider choice of gearing (basically there are more gears available on the bike); all three models feature two chainrings at the front of the drivetrain combined with a cluster of gears (cassette) on the rear wheel. The Allez Elite features an 11-speed cassette, the Allez Sport a 9-speed cassette and the Allez an 8-speed cassette; the more gears that are squeezed into the cassette the wider choice of gearing you’ll have. What’s the main benefit of this? Well it means that the change between each gear is less dramatic allowing you to pedal more smoothly and feel less fatigued and you’ll also find that you have a gear to suit every gradient you encounter.
All three Allez models come spec’d with Shimano groupsets – Shimano are the world leaders in cycling drivetrain componentry. The key differences of each Shimano groupset as you move up towards the higher-priced options are the quality of the gear changing mechanisms (the front and rear derailleur) which move the chain to the gear you have selected, with components becoming lighter and slightly more efficient as you move up the Allez range. It’s worth pointing out that, again, Shimano groupsets are an excellent example of trickle-down technology in the bicycle industry with all of the componentry being heavily influenced from their predecessors further up the Shimano range. This means that each component gets more and more user-friendly with each generation, providing lighter-action, more precise gear selections with each iteration.
Another key consideration when you’re choosing your first road bike, along with seeking a light & comfortable frame and efficient groupset is the brakes that have been spec’d. If you’re starting out riding on a road bike you’ll want to feel confident and in control at all times; a lot of that control comes from your bike’s braking system and how effective it is, particularly when something unforeseen happens in front of you.
You’ll have no-doubt seen that more and more road bikes now feature disc brakes (brakes located at the centre of the wheel on the hub); this is relatively new technology that typically features higher up the price range of road bikes. The reason for this is that the technology and materials involved to make the disc brakes and disc-brake-specific wheels is more expensive. We’ve not yet seen this sort of technology available at the price point of the Allez road bikes we’re looking at here; it’s also important to note that if and when disc brakes ARE spec’d on bikes at this price point (as you may see with some alternative bike brands) the cheaper, more affordable disc-brake-specific-wheels tend to be noticeably heavier than a conventional wheel.
All three models of Specialized Allez feature conventional rim brakes which are powerful and easy to modulate, this simple, effective setup keeps the overall weight of your bike down and makes for a more lively, spritely feel on the road. Specialized have spec’d light, durable road 700c diameter road wheels to all of the Allez and have shod them with slick, fat-rolling Specialized Roadsport wheels with a 26mm width to help cushion you from harsh road surfaces and provide you with plenty of confidence-inspiring grip on flowing downhill descents.
If you’re considering your first road bike the Specialized Allez is a fantastic option, with a range of specifications and prices to suit your cycling ambitions and budgets. The bikes are packed full of proven technology and have been designed to be versatile and user-friendly as you begin to progress in the sport of cycling. As the weather improves and the days get longer there’s more opportunities to get out and get fit so now is the time to get properly equipped for the more enjoyable days ahead. If you want more advice and guidance why not come in and see us in any of our three stores – Wheelbase Lake District, Yorkshire and North East or get in touch with our customer support team and shop conveniently online. We have some great buying options too; why not spread the cost of your new bike with our Finance options or buy through a Cycle to Work Scheme….
Buying your first road bike? Look no further than the Specialized Allez…
Specialized Allez Elite £1,249.00
Specialized Allez Elite Specification:
Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing
Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets
Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp
Brakes: Axis 1.0 caliper
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000 GS, medium cage, 11-speed
Shift Levers: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-speed
Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-32t
Chainset: Praxis Alba
Wheels: DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes
Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26
Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26
Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails
Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware
Specialized Allez Sport £999.00
Specialized Allez Sport Specification:
Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing
Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets
Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp
Brakes: Axis 1.0 caliper
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora, 9-speed
Shift Levers: Shimano Sora, 9-speed
Cassette: SunRace, 9-speed, 11-32t
Chainset: Praxis Alba
Wheels: Axis Sport
Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26
Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26
Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails
Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware
Specialized Allez £799.00
Specialized Allez Specification:
Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing
Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets
Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp
Brakes: Tektro, alloy, dual-pivot
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Claris, 8-speed
Shift Levers: Shimano Claris 2000, 8-speed
Cassette: SunRace, 8-speed, 11-32t
Chainset: Shimano Claris R200
Wheels: Axis Sport
Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26
Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26
Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails
Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware
Feature written by Johnny Dodgin
Photos by James Vincent
