@
jyl I am no expert but iirc Specialized began making the Allez in 1981, frames were made in Japan and I believe the most coveted were made by 3Renshow in the later 80s production moved to Taiwan which is where my 89 was probably made. In the 90s they started making them of aluminum and today there is a full range from Carbon race bikes to Aluminum starter road bikes. About a decade ago they did a 14 speed steel offering as an nod to their first bikes but those were tig welded not lugged. In 2014 there was a special run of 74 Lugged Steel Allez's as part of the the company's
40th anniversary They were built by
Mark DiNucci, one of their original frame builders
The marketing spin is that the Allez is an ideal
balance of responsiveness comfort and handling. I just like how they ride and handle and they respond very well to putting down the power.