2016 Specialized Allez Sprint

buckmulligan

As new bike season gets into full swing, it seems that Specialized have officially announced the remodelled version of the Allez that was doing the rounds a month or so ago, dubbed the 2016 Allez Sprint. Reports about the ride quality and stiffness (around the bottom bracket in particular) seem universally positive and I think it looks absolutely ace.



They have the specs of a couple of models up on the US Specialized website, both single-chainring, wide-ratio cassette configurations, but reports are that a traditional double/compact setup is due to be announced at some point before the end of the year (Bicycling report next month, but BikeRadar say December).

Looks like a fantastic crit/winter bike, I’m definitely looking forward to giving one a try.

Bobbinogs

Depends where you live. In the Cotswolds a winter bike needs to be able to fit mudguards and a single chainring would make most of the local hilly routes a bit tough with the big gaps in gearing. I see this bike doing well in the crit market but, outside the US, I am not sure how big that is. Nice looking bike though, although black is beginning to look a little dated given the current trends for bold colouring.

buckmulligan

I agree, a single-chainring wouldn't be for me even with a wide-ratio cassette, but the double/compact models should be interesting.

It's only a hunch, but I suspect the delay with announcing those is down to external factors, not just Specialized still deciding where to put the braze-on mounts! Perhaps they'll feature some as-yet-unreleased components due to be unveiled at Eurobike/Interbike, maybe a disc option?