The 1x gearing is a nod to pure racing performance, where a limited gear range is all you need (click to enlarge).
It appears aluminum road bike frames are coming back in vogue. In July, Cannondale rolled out its latest alloy offering, the CAAD 12. Now Specialized has launched a new version of its popular metal machine dubbed the Allez Sprint. Initially the new bike will come in just two builds and a frameset, due in part to its narrow focus.
This is a criterium racing machine pure and simple, thus the 1x drivetrains. The Specialized Allez Sprint X1 Expert gets SRAM Force 1 (with 50t chainring) and a $2600 price tag. The Specialized Allez Sprint X1 Comp will come with a SRAM Rival 1 (with 48t chainring) and cost $2000. Both bikes boast a S-Works FACT carbon fiber fork for improved stiffness and front end steering response. Frameset alone is $1350.
Frameset alone is $1350 - and looks great (click to enlarge).
The key design highlight continues to be what the Big Red S calls its Smartweld technology that was first introduced three years ago. The idea is that by hydroforming the individual tubes of the frame you create a seamless and uniform weld location. This helps control material thickness and shape, which strengthens the tube bonds.
Specialized is taking that a step further this go round, applying the manufacturing technique to the new bike's bottom bracket, which is claimed to bump up stiffness and strength. The new BB is far bigger than its predecessor, which gives you the stiffness you'd expect and allows for the use of large tube diameters elsewhere.
The new BB looks like a single piece of aluminum, but it's actually three pieces welded together (click to enlarge).
While the new BB looks like a single piece of aluminum, it's actually three pieces welded together. You just can't see the weld marks because of a process that melts them away. The result is a joint that looks more carbon than alloy.
Continue to page 2 to learn more about the new Specialized Allez Sprint X1 »
The new frame comes in six sizes from 49cm to 61cm, and Specialized incorporated its Rider-First tuning concept (click to enlarge).
In addition, the Smartweld technique transfers the welding area and utilizes a channel to host the weld bead. By moving the process away from the tube junction you get better overall weld quality. The new Allez Sprint also benefits from some time in Specialized's in-house wind tunnel, where tube shapes were refined and the finished product was a great leap forward in aero efficiency compared to the old Allez, says Specialized.
The new frame comes in six sizes from 49cm to 61cm, and Specialized incorporated its Rider-First tuning concept, where there are three different length top and down tubes so smaller riders don't feel beat up and larger riders don't cringe at frame flexiness. It's the same approach the company uses on its popular carbon Tarmac road bikes.
This early prototype shows how the joints come together (click to enlarge).
The new 1x builds are available now. And if you don't like the idea of such limited gearing, don't fret. Specialized says it plans to release several 2x versions (with front derailleur) later this year.
For more info please visit www.specialized.com
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