Great job with the review as always. I have an Enve Melee and want something else at least equally as good, especially in the climbing department. How would you compare the Alfa to the Melee as far as climbing ability/ease? As well as overall? Thanks in advance.
@@thebeardedmtbiker4594 Not sure about either of those, but have you given the Crux a try? Climbing with my new Crux Expert paired with Enve SES 3.4 wheels and S-works Pathfinder Pro 42s is unreal. It’s my first Specialized bike and I’m incredibly impressed. I also love the Enve MOG, Santa Cruz Stigmata, and Open U.P, but out of all the gravel bikes the Crux seems like the best climber of the bunch.
Always great videos. You say what needs to be said in short order, I have always appreciated your brevity but accuracy. I would appreciate the Force vs Red video as well. Thanks Chris, from a Chris.
Thanks! In a straight line, they’re probably equal. Melee would be a hair sharper, but the ride quality of the ALFA is the best I’ve ever experienced on a carbon bike.
Also...I checked out Allied bikes this morning. Sure would love to have one. As much as I am sometimes weight weenie, the set up you presented is more than enough for a 61 year old guy. Thanks for the summary. Keep up the great videos.
This was a great review. I’m definitely interested to hear your thoughts in new Force vs old Red. I’m a big fan of the new black look and hoods, and I’m currently riding the Red on my Aethos RTP and would be tempted to switch it out.
Dang, I wanted do this comparison, but the demo bikes with the new force have all gone back (Allied and Blackheart). I’d say the biggest advantage is the hood shape and size- it’s just more ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. Front shifting is marginally better… maybe. It’s still no Shimano.
Cool video as always :) Would love a comp of Red and new Force.. I just built a new Crux pro with the new Force coming from a Red crank.. and I also think something is different, to me actually better. BTW.. love the new Crux!
They’re different animals. Short answer is, if you’re racing and looking for every performance advantage, carbon is probably still the best option. If it’s just for fun, titanium produces a ride quality that’s hard to match. I’d love to have both.
this bike i can feel how it taste like. i have a bike similar in geometry with this bike. but my bike made from titanium it custom geometry. super fun bike for comfort ride. and the weight almost similar. my bike weight 7,2kg.
Total toss up for me. Melee advantage is larger tire clearance, ALFA advantage is better ride quality. I’d also look at each brands and see which one you best align with, if that makes sense.
Thanks! Unfortunately, the media bikes I had with the new force have been sent back- life for busy and I didn’t get a chance to put together a video. The short of is is that the new force hoods are a big upgrade. Shifting is marginally better, at best.
Great video - so good to hear. I have the S-Works Tarmac SL6 Ultralight. I love how it climbs and how I can attack short steep climbs on it (think Flanders bergs). But I’m a nervous descender and lost confidence descending on it. Maybe because I’m not as flexible as when I bought it and with a 130mm stem and 0 set back seat post (long legs so saddle is very forward) I feel overweighted at the front. So looking for a bike that I can have fun going up, but gives me a lot more more confidence downhill. I’ve been looking at the Aethos and Time Alpe d’Huez. This bike looks good and your review is glowing - do you think to help my confidence descending this would be a better bet than the SL6?
@@outdoorbros_ thanks for the reply. Do you think the Alfa would be a good option for what I’m looking for? Snappy uphill, stable and confidence inspiring downhill? No racing!! Your review sounds like it would be….
Even with the stem slammed it looks horrible as though it wasn't intended for the bike. It needs some sort of clip on cover to make it more of a smooth blend from stem to headtube.
@@outdoorbros_ yeah quite, that’s a boring looking mid tier 17.25lbs heavy carbon bike with Force on it and low end zipps =noob bike. You even said you gave yours back.
Questions about the ALFA? Drop 'em below.
Great job with the review as always. I have an Enve Melee and want something else at least equally as good, especially in the climbing department. How would you compare the Alfa to the Melee as far as climbing ability/ease? As well as overall? Thanks in advance.
@@thebeardedmtbiker4594 Not sure about either of those, but have you given the Crux a try? Climbing with my new Crux Expert paired with Enve SES 3.4 wheels and S-works Pathfinder Pro 42s is unreal. It’s my first Specialized bike and I’m incredibly impressed. I also love the Enve MOG, Santa Cruz Stigmata, and Open U.P, but out of all the gravel bikes the Crux seems like the best climber of the bunch.
Always great videos. You say what needs to be said in short order, I have always appreciated your brevity but accuracy. I would appreciate the Force vs Red video as well. Thanks Chris, from a Chris.
Thank you!
Wondering how the ALFA compares to the Melee... Really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.
2nd that! Melee also seems to be in that racy but not so racy geo, good all around bike!
Thanks! In a straight line, they’re probably equal. Melee would be a hair sharper, but the ride quality of the ALFA is the best I’ve ever experienced on a carbon bike.
Compared to a Parlee?
Chris your channel is crushing it! Just bought an Allied Echo because of your thoughtful reviews!
Thank you! Congrats on the Echo- such a great bike!
that intro though! would love to see more ride content like that!! great stuff! definitely want to check out the bike
Thank you!
Also...I checked out Allied bikes this morning. Sure would love to have one. As much as I am sometimes weight weenie, the set up you presented is more than enough for a 61 year old guy. Thanks for the summary. Keep up the great videos.
It’s more than for me at 38 years old… as most bikes are for all of us.
So glad you liked it so much. I wanted to wait for your review before i started saving for mine. Thank you!
It’s a blast of a bike- you’ll love it!
This was a great review. I’m definitely interested to hear your thoughts in new Force vs old Red. I’m a big fan of the new black look and hoods, and I’m currently riding the Red on my Aethos RTP and would be tempted to switch it out.
Dang, I wanted do this comparison, but the demo bikes with the new force have all gone back (Allied and Blackheart). I’d say the biggest advantage is the hood shape and size- it’s just more ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. Front shifting is marginally better… maybe. It’s still no Shimano.
Cool video as always :)
Would love a comp of Red and new Force.. I just built a new Crux pro with the new Force coming from a Red crank.. and I also think something is different, to me actually better.
BTW.. love the new Crux!
Roger that- thanks!
The force front mech is different to red, it's the same as rival, red will most likely go the same when that gets an overhaul.
Appreciate the review! I’ve been waiting on this one! We need to get you out here to Iowa for Ragbrai!
It was a long time coming! I’ve heard of that one- sound fun!
So cool to see these Allied bikes. I love what they do. Made in the USA baby.
Would love you to compare the ride feel between this and the sl8!
Another informative review but if you had the choice of Alfa or the blackhart road ti which would you choose..?
They’re different animals. Short answer is, if you’re racing and looking for every performance advantage, carbon is probably still the best option. If it’s just for fun, titanium produces a ride quality that’s hard to match. I’d love to have both.
Great to see domestic production. Love it. I want to ride the BC MTB.
this bike i can feel how it taste like. i have a bike similar in geometry with this bike. but my bike made from titanium it custom geometry. super fun bike for comfort ride. and the weight almost similar. my bike weight 7,2kg.
Alfa or Melee? My only racing these days is group rides, but still on the bike 15 hrs/week. Thanks for the great content!
Total toss up for me. Melee advantage is larger tire clearance, ALFA advantage is better ride quality. I’d also look at each brands and see which one you best align with, if that makes sense.
@@outdoorbros_ Thanks, gave me the answer I needed. I like the idea of something a bit more unique, so I think an Alpha is in my 2024 plans.
Great review, as always! How would you compare the Alfa to the Aethos, in terms of ride quality and handling?
Thanks! Equal ride quality. ALFA has more precise handling.
Those new Force cranks just look too good. Curious to see how the new Red cranks will look (if those rumors ever come true).
It’s coming don’t you worry 😉
Give us the details!
My guess is that they’ll be all black, including the teeth and lighter 🤞🏻
I’d love to see a review on the new force vs the old red
Thanks! Unfortunately, the media bikes I had with the new force have been sent back- life for busy and I didn’t get a chance to put together a video. The short of is is that the new force hoods are a big upgrade. Shifting is marginally better, at best.
Also, would you go with this bike over the Tarmac SL7?
If I highly valued ride quality, yes. But remember, the SL7 is my favorite bike of all time.
Great video - so good to hear. I have the S-Works Tarmac SL6 Ultralight. I love how it climbs and how I can attack short steep climbs on it (think Flanders bergs). But I’m a nervous descender and lost confidence descending on it. Maybe because I’m not as flexible as when I bought it and with a 130mm stem and 0 set back seat post (long legs so saddle is very forward) I feel overweighted at the front. So looking for a bike that I can have fun going up, but gives me a lot more more confidence downhill. I’ve been looking at the Aethos and Time Alpe d’Huez. This bike looks good and your review is glowing - do you think to help my confidence descending this would be a better bet than the SL6?
I can’t speak to the Time bike, but I think you’ll find the Aethos handling similar to the SL6, albeit slightly less race-oriented.
@@outdoorbros_ thanks for the reply. Do you think the Alfa would be a good option for what I’m looking for? Snappy uphill, stable and confidence inspiring downhill? No racing!! Your review sounds like it would be….
What about long rides comfort? Is it more comfortable for a 100 miles ride compared to sl8 or melee?
More comfortable than both, yes… in my opinion.
Not sure how it's any less complex than other similar bikes.
Even with the stem slammed it looks horrible as though it wasn't intended for the bike. It needs some sort of clip on cover to make it more of a smooth blend from stem to headtube.
That bike is so good but the stem/steerer tube area wrecks the looks.
I disagree. Some of the personal bike with a proper fit look great.
OMG that steerer tube is sweet.
I would like to do a 1x. Can you do that on this bike?
I think so.
Headset spacers not in the Line of the stem , dont look Nice a this point I think
I’d check some of the others that are personal bikes- they look great.
Our Sun was a perfect yellow circle for about 5 Billion yrs! Because Methane blocks blue light waves it turned our Sun into a Blurry Orange Blob!
My man, I think this comment was meant for another video.
They are nice bikes but nothing compared to the Tarmac SL8 or even a Crux.
You make the marketing team at Specialized smile. Their job is done 😂
I’d love to hear how it compares to the SL8. Both bikes are top of my list for potential purchases.
A canyon of similar build is far better and half the price. Also, those exposed bolts on the bar, wtf?!
Are the Canyons good? I haven’t ridden one.
@@outdoorbros_ yes. Good quality German engineering and great value for the price.
Boring looking bike. Guessing this is something for noobs?
Noobs? Not quite.
@@outdoorbros_ yeah quite, that’s a boring looking mid tier 17.25lbs heavy carbon bike with Force on it and low end zipps =noob bike. You even said you gave yours back.
Allied and Enve have much in common.