smashndash

https://cyclingtips.com/2022/03/2022...sprint-review/

I have a rim brake allez sprint. Here are my complaints:
- Proprietary headset bearings that only Specialized used to sell
- Non-removable/replaceable FD hanger
- rough seatpost
- no 0 offset seatpost option
- no di2 support
- poor tire clearance up front
- press fit BB (BB30)
- crap braking with carbon rims

The new Allez Sprint addresses every one of those complaints. The integration I could take or leave; it's good for racing.

The 105 build with basic components is $3000, almost double of the 2017 version. It's also heavier. So it seems like a few steps forward, a few steps back. The frameset is a better deal at $1700 if you want to build a high value racer, IMO.

Anyone here interested? Any strong opinions?

Iride01 

You shouldn't concentrate on the bikes that bug you so much. Look at all the others that don't offend you so much.

jaxgtr

I really wish bike manufacturers would go back to round seat post, versus the propriety seat post. I know there are a few that still do that, but I don't believe any of the major brands do. Hate that.

smashndash

... are you talking to me? I think I had a very balanced take on this bike. It fixes almost all the problems I had with its predecessor and only adds weight and cost. 2 things that are easy to live with.

Iride01 

That should be obvious. What wasn't obvious to me is why the comparison of the two bikes. Seemed more like griping than praise for the stuff you liked.

Admittedly I'm slow to understand what I'm reading sometimes. And maybe by the time this threads run it's course I'll understand more.

smashndash

why the comparison between a bike and its direct successor? Because... that's what successors are supposed to do. They fix the problems with the predecessor.

I have many things I like about my bike but they really haven't changed much in those areas.

oris

I'm not sure what you're trying to start or troll on.

This isn't a direct comparison when you're comparing rim brake to a disc only frame. The previous Allez Sprint was also available in disc and invalidates several of your points; two your qualms are due to the limitations of rim brake as a system.

I've got a a Allez Sprint disc and am running it with a aftermarket direct mount derailleur hanger and tires that are 30mm wide after mounting. The way I see it, older gen Sprint is more of the Venge while the 2022 is an aluminum SL7.

mstateglfr 

I like the multicolor paint scheme on the new Sprint.
And it seems to address a lot of the old model's shortcomings.
The frame design and welding process is pretty neat too.

Double the price is significant for sure.

This thread's responses surprise me. The OP seems reasonable- It's an evaluation of an old model's shortcomings and compares them to the new bike. Not sure why there is criticism.

yaw

Looks like the headset/seatpost assemblies are still proprietary as per that article.

Also that pricing at the stated component levels look like carbon and not aluminium pricing vs competitors.

Depending on what stuff you could re-use and hand pick, if available, above their limited choices, it looks like building on the frame sounds like a more attractive project.

smashndash

yes, technically a "proprietary" headset, but the ACB495 is available from vendors besides specialized. Plus it's the same bearings that the venge, SL7 and roubaix use. The previous allez sprint used different bearings for each *frame size* and it was only available through specialized.

seatpost is proprietary, but I'm somewhat ambivalent about that. Round is better, but that's pretty standard for race bikes and seatposts are durable.

smashndash

not trolling. I'm just interested because I'm in the market for an upgrade. Obviously there is a disc version but it wasn't enough of a difference for me. Practically the same bike but with disc mounts.

I guess I should say that the tire clearance and braking parts were already addressed but the point I was trying to make is that anyone who liked the old allez sprint (with rim brakes) probably should give this a look.

spdntrxi

or find a good shape and size and use it across models over the years.. yeah I'm looking at you BMC

oris

That's fair and I'd agree with that.

The Allez Sprint that we have is quite polarizing in terms of fit and ride. This may be the ticket for the person who wants a race bike that isn't quite as aggressive and jarring while delivering Tarmac performance.

bahula03

I suppose it's easy to miss that the Allez and Allez Sprint are similar but different product lines- the "base" Allez starts from a complete bike at $1000 and 105 at $1600, with much less aggressive geometry than the Sprint. Another can of worms, but the reviews quote Specialized as hinting that the base Allez will be replaced by a new entry-level-ish aluminum line so there's a bit more clarity.

The Allez Sprint seems to fill a neat, enthusiast-oriented niche, which I appreciate. Hopefully there will be more written about how it compares to the CAAD13 and the Tarmac/Aethos, but initially it seems like a good time. The value proposition is, go figure, a bit murky- a bunch less than a Tarmac/Aethos, a bit more than a CAAD13...which doesn't seem to be available as a disc frameset and seemingly hasn't had as much development

mstateglfr 

I give Specialized almost no compliments ever, but it is pretty cool that they snagged some current pros for this promo.

yaw

So is Specialised telling us that the new Allez Sprint is for reckless riding in nasty urban areas when you leave the Tarmac at home?

mstateglfr 

That is a unique take-a-way, but you are certainly free to interpret it in such a warped way.

WhyFi

Them Williams boys, just bumpin' and rubbin' all the time.

Hiro11

I mostly like this bike:
- Much higher price than competing bikes (Emonda ALR5, CAAD 13) but still a better deal than currently outrageous pricing on Tarmacs
- More of an all-around road race bike than the dedicated crit machine it used to be
- Mostly a practical, foolproof and easy to work on design, but routing cables through the headset bearing is still a really bad idea
- Probably rides well, modern aluminum is really good
- The bulky welds don't bother me.

The stock 105 build is a bit of a rip, IMO. The $6,800 LTD version is very, very expensive for what you're getting. If I were going to get this bike (which I'm considering) I'd get the frame and built it up with Rival AXS with a power meter and some Farsports wheels. For a still expensive but slightly more reasonable ~$4,200, you'd have a very race-ready bike.

prj71

Giant D-Fuse seat post. It's used on a lot of their bikes. Great Idea in my opinion. You can never put the seat on crooked.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/global/showcase/d-fuse

Branko D

At those prices I would be looking at a full CF bike, myself.

Iride01 

Okay, I suppose I was suppose to take your post as a bike review. My apologies for any confusion. It just seemed more like a gripe than a unsolicited review for a new bike.

veganbikes

Specialized has never been known for great headset bearings. I swapped out the bearings on both of my Langsters and if I ever build up my Sequoia frame those bearings are going as well. If it ain't Cane Creek or Chris King it ain't my thing.

Jrasero

I think lazy people are going to scoff at an aluminum race bike with 105 start at $3000 but they are kind of missing the point IMO. Yeah, you simply aren't getting anywhere near what you used to when the Allez Sprint (rim) was sub $1500 complete bike and was a wheelset and partial groupset away from being a crit monster, heck even as early as a couple years ago the previous gen was $2300 for the complete disc version. I think people have become a tad too obsessed with carbon, weight, and the nameplate on the groupset especially in regards to racing. I think all the upgrades you mentioned like the threaded BB, integrated cables, stiffness (few less welds), and now complete 105 make this a $3000 bike IMO. Is it a value anymore? Heck no, but when has Specialized ever been a value oriented bike? Personally, I ride a 2021 Allez Sprint Comp Disc I bought used as my training/spare bike and I have put a set of carbon 50mm wheels and aero carbon bars on it and frankly it's just as stiff and nearly as fast as my Canyon Ultimate and probably very similar aero wise. The frame not being carbon, I am not worried about a few scrapes or scratches and I don't baby the bike like I do with my carbon Canyon.


I think the hard part is that at $3000 you still have a lot of good options. One, if you can find a CAAD13 at $2300, that's now probably the better value especially if you want to be sub $3000 and especially if you don't want a carbon bike. On the other hand you have the Giant TCR Advanced 2 PC (rim) at $2450 which is a wheelset away from being crit worthy, Giant TCR Advanced Disc 2 PC $2900, Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8.0 (rim) $2900 probably the lightest, Cannondale SuperSix Evo Carbon 105 (rim) $2200 is the best value, and Cannondale SuperSix Evo Carbon 105 (disc) $3200.


In the end the downsides of the current gen Allez Sprint Comp Disc are defiantly the price increase, no rim version, the bike for many has these unsightly welds, and while $3K is "fair" the problem is that the competition offers bikes that are cheaper or offer betters specs. I think what Specialize saying this is the first aluminum "super bike" is the biggest load of BS ever, but there is no doubt the Allez is still a great race/crit bike but is being sold more now based on prior reputation than anything. To me the launch is reminiscent of Acura relaunching the Integra to some degree in that that car was was a cheap performance car for tuners and now they relaunched it at a significantly higher price but without the specs to match.

caloso

I’ve had more than a few Specializeds but if I were going to buy an aluminum race bike, I’d get a CAAD.