Specialized Allez Comp "Direct Drive"???
08-29-20, 09:19 AM
#1
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Specialized Allez Comp "Direct Drive"???
I bought a +- 1993 Specialized Allez Comp some weeks ago and it is emblazoned with stuff like "Direct Drive" and "Aluminum Fork". I get the "Aluminum Fork" thing, but what is all of this "Direct Drive" stuff all about?
Danny
Danny
08-29-20, 09:35 AM
#2
Senior Member
Heh
It's vintage Big "S" marketing hype.
Exciting, isn't it?
PS - the "Aluminum Fork" shout out wouldn't fill me with confidence on a 40mph+ descent, but maybe others with more vintage Specialized experience will be along to comment.
Exciting, isn't it?
PS - the "Aluminum Fork" shout out wouldn't fill me with confidence on a 40mph+ descent, but maybe others with more vintage Specialized experience will be along to comment.
Last edited by chainwhip; 08-29-20 at 09:44 AM.
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08-29-20, 09:42 AM
#3
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08-29-20, 09:45 AM
#4
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I think it's just Specialized speak for chrome moly. You see direct drive tubing on Specialized MTBs as well.
Here you go,
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ve-tubing.html
Post no. 4 has useful info on this.
Here you go,
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ve-tubing.html
Post no. 4 has useful info on this.
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08-29-20, 09:47 AM
#5
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08-31-20, 07:32 AM
#6
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I'm pretty sure Mark DiNucci designed these early 90s frames. He definitely designed the lugs and still uses the lugs on his own custom frames. I had an early 90s Allez Sport that I adored for long distance rides. The comp and sport had very different geometry if course. Interested in hearing your thoughts on the ride quality
08-31-20, 08:50 AM
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I've seen Cannondales of the era with OE-appearing Sakae Litage aluminum forks that look similar to that one. These have a good reputation for not failing or hurting people. Maybe yours is similar. Could also be branded CLB/Bador/Vitus, which also have a fine reputation. It may have some manufacturer name molded in the underside of the fork crown.
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08-31-20, 09:09 AM
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The Allez fork is from Giant or some other Taiwan vendor, so not a Litage fork and not a European fork like Vitus, AlAn or CLB.
They are a very strong fork I would say, based on my straightening of frames with such forks still attached. So unless there were a QC issue then I would expect it to hold up and to perform well.
They are a very strong fork I would say, based on my straightening of frames with such forks still attached. So unless there were a QC issue then I would expect it to hold up and to perform well.
08-31-20, 04:43 PM
#9
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I'm pretty sure Mark DiNucci designed these early 90s frames. He definitely designed the lugs and still uses the lugs on his own custom frames. I had an early 90s Allez Sport that I adored for long distance rides. The comp and sport had very different geometry if course. Interested in hearing your thoughts on the ride quality
Danny
09-01-20, 01:54 AM
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I don't have a lot of time on it yet, but so far, I like it a lot. I do not so far feel that the aluminum fork is a ride quality detriment. It certainly feels worlds better than my aluminum FX2. How it compares to my new Emonda Aluminum with Carbon frame, I am not sure, as I am still sorting out some issues that the dealer did not get correct when new, so I don't have a lot of time on it either. By the book, this Allez frame is too big for me. I am 5'9-1/8" tall. Most charts want to put me in a 54-56. I once sat on a 54, and it felt like a Child's bike to me, as best as I can tell. My fit might be in the 56-68cm range. The Allez feels like I have a more agressive, more horizontal back position than on my 56 cm Emonda, and part of that is because I am pretty sure that I have the seat higher in relation to the bars than on the Emonda. Some of it may be because the bigger Allez frame is longer, a bit oversized for me, but at this point, I am not certain. The seller told me it was a 56. I got it home and realized late that it looked bigger, then measured it, where it came up as a 58 by my best measurements.
Danny
Danny
Another point being that Sinyard had no sense of humor about safety, it was a basic constant tenant and part of the reason he brought so many great builders on board.
He knew exactly what he was doing because they did.
If this feels right then run with it. The charts do not account accurately for those of us that are "out of spec", I am 6' 1/2" with a 38in hardstop inseam (PBH) with longish but not like my legs, arms so I ride a 64-66cm or 62 with 2 fists of seatpost.
I would encourage you to go to Rivendells fit chart and get your inseam (PBH) nailed down, many don't get it right because its uncomfortable to do it right but if its out of the norm.
It can have a big effect on fit especially if you are between sizes where I always size up to not be cramped up and it keeps working out better for it.
Oh and "pics or it didn't happen".
09-01-20, 02:04 AM
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I'm pretty sure Mark DiNucci designed these early 90s frames. He definitely designed the lugs and still uses the lugs on his own custom frames. I had an early 90s Allez Sport that I adored for long distance rides. The comp and sport had very different geometry if course. Interested in hearing your thoughts on the ride quality
The early 90's Allez were his design also supposedly with slightly oversize tubing and if he did the aluminum fork I have no doubt in it.
And I'm sure his DNA is in just about anything else that came after he did as well as all the other masters Sinyard was smart enough to utilize.
Like him or not, he knew what he was doing and while I'm not a big fan of his, I am a big fan of how he did what he did by bringing the best in the business on board.
Last edited by merziac; 09-01-20 at 02:28 AM.
