Specialized Allez | History You Never Think About
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- From 1981 to 2021, the Allez has been produced every single year. 40 Years of history being the top dog to the choice for new riders, and more recently a brutal aluminum race machine. Companies rarely keep a name around this long, but I love that the Allez is still a bike you can buy, just like in 1981.
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A history of disc brakes would be amazing. From hacking them onto downhill bikes, to acceptance and actual manufacture, and then becoming UCI legal for cyclocross, then UCI legal and banned again on the road, to now where basically the only people who buy a new bike with rim brakes are hill climb KOMers.
Hell yeah that would be such a cool video , disc history
Ya something I’ve Been wondering to
A friend of mine bought an Allez while in college in the mid 80's, a 1987. He continued to ride that bike up until 2012, when the rear hub blew up and eventually the front wheel also. He ended up giving it to another friend who swapped a few garage sale parts, but he never really rode it because it was too large a frame (58cm). I got the bike, stripped it down, and then proceeded to build it up with a host of 2012 parts I had from my daughter's Specialized Dolce. It now has a full Sora/Tiagra 20spd groupset w/ Reynolds Stratus Elite wheelset. I cold worked the rear to space it to 135mm to fit the new wheel. I gifted it to a friend who was needing a road bike, but didn't have the budget. It is still continuing the journey as a beautiful Red, Steel Allez.
My 2015 allez DSW aluminum would never survive that long. They need to go back to working with steel.
Loved that you decided to try something different with this. The history is neat! Keep up the good work and ride on
I mean it's pretty much mandatory that you do one on the Viggorelli and Cinelli as a whole, especially since they had their hands in the origin of Specialized as well.
I have an Allez elite that I bought new in 2005. Fast forward to 2021 and it is my only mode of transportation after selling my truck in 2019. It has a front basket and a rear rack with panniers to haul groceries and whatnot. I’ve had to use adapters to put all that on because it didn’t come with places to screw them in. Even though it’s not really designed for the purposes I’m using it for it still rides so well that I can’t bring myself to replace it, there’s no reason to. Money well spent.
Bought an Allez in the early 80’s. Carbon steel. It had Shimano, not Campy, components. It was a dream at a reasonable price.
And now for something different... but totally enjoyable.
I have an older steel frame Allez Comp with the Direct Drive alloy fork It still feels lighter than many aluminum bikes. I don't ride it much anymore but it was a terrific bike to explore county roads on with it's 105 8 cog cassette and indexed down tube shifters. I've had a difficult time selling it because of the good memories and it's striking red paint.😮
At 3:48 my recollection of events somewhat differs. While Yoshi Konno of 3Rensho did make a small number of the Allez frames, Sinyard had an alternate manufacturer putting out Allez frames as well. In larger numbers. A good friend worked for Specialized in Morgan Hill at the time, and EVERYONE wanted the Konno built frames. Sinyard smartly doled them out to elite cyclists/racers etc. The workmanship on the 3Rensho frames was (and is) superior to what came from Italy. But what put the Allez (and Specialized) on the map? The 1985 film 'American Flyers'. (Fun fact, that same friend did stunt work on the film).
Loved it.
*Insert year here*
Does not insert year.
Do one for Trek 520, treks longest serving model. But that is touring so maybe not your deal as such. Do stumpjumper else!!
As an armchair/google historian myself, I enjoy the story of Bridgestone, the Stumpjumper/Rockhopper, vintage mtb in general, maybe do something on all the small guys in mtb like Fat Chance, Bontrager, WTB. Also Cannondale's story is very fun.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my allez sprint! Probably never get rid of it
Thank-you for that history lesson of the Allez. Despite the fact that my 2021 Allez Elite is not the Sprint this history lesson lends a small amount of pride in ownership.
Proud to own my 2020 Rockhopper sport, a 30 year old model of Specialized.
After seeing the Allez Sprint in a crit back in 2019. I knew I want one. It really looks fashionable for such a inexpensive bike
I just bought an Allez today! 2021 version. Found this video super interesting, thanks!!
E5?
Schwinn Paramount PDG both road&mtb versions. I have the '93 Japanese built(panasonic?) Pdg70. Great video👍👍
My first bike was an Allez of course. All red with sora 8 speed.
Cool video about the history of the Allez.Just to correct you,the Lugs were made from cast aluminum alloy not steel.The Allez Sprint ridden by Peter Sagan in one of my favourite aluminum road bikes.Safe riding.💯✌🏻
I have a mid 90's Allez A1 Comp (94' - 98') that I have had a hard time finding information on, but this video shed some light on it! Thank you!
I have a Allez comp 2010 black can’t be happier.
2003 aluminum Allez Comp owner checking in.
I upgraded the drivetrain to 2017-ish Ultegra and the bike still rocks. Weighs in at a scant 18 lbs.
I have a 2004 Allez Cro-Mo, so steel did come back for a few years past the 90’s number quoted in this video.
I really enjoyed this history piece. More like this please!
One thing is in the 90’s, the Allez epic was accepted very well in the bike community. It was the bike to buy in the 90’s among my friends.
Nice, I didn’t know about the connection of Tesch with Specialized. There’s a Tesch floating around down this way. It was the loaner bike at The Bike Barn, to introduce kids into racing, until they could afford a road bike of their own.
Great job covering the early Allez history. You got most of everything I ever read.
Although I don't ride it as much I used to I own a 1999 allez comp. It's the bike that made me fall in love with cycling. This video is worth a subscribe, do some more in this format thanks.
I have a 2011 model which I bought in 2012, I’ve installed a newer 105 groupset and still LOVE the bike as much as I did in 2012. One of my best purchases ever. Great video. Thank you!
I have an old allez elite in bright red, I love it !!!
I wish I could put more likes on this video! In complete honesty, I was just searching the Internet yesterday for information about my 1991 specialized Allez epic and could not find any. Thank you so much for doing the legwork for me!
Struggling to pronounce hard to pronounce names, very James Pumphrey of you ;)
Ask someone that was in the cycling community from that era, and most will tell you.... like, one of the early turbo tires (with the raised ridge) were incredibly fast tires, until that ridge wore away, then they seemed rather slow... This got back to specialized, and that version of the turbo tire was changed.... and then there was.... Nor Cal cycling and Specialized are definitely related to each other.
The first Specialized road tires were fragile but subtle, because it was thought that north American paved roads were considerably smoother than the old roads in EU, so we would run a 19 at 140 PSI, haha - still have my 93 Allez Pro tour level bike- suplesse
Back in 2003, at the beginning of my road racing days, I "upgraded" from a "noodly" steel Bianchi Veloce with all Campy parts. That was one of their last frames produced in Italy. I'm REALLY kicking myself for selling that Bianchi. The bike I upgraded to was the 2003 Specialized Allez Pro in silver and black zebra stripes. It was similar to Mario Cipollini's bike he won 2002s Road Race World Championship on. I felt FAST on that bike. But that was probably because we were all riding 23C road tires pumped up around 100 PSI.
I was in a car accident in 1991, hit by a car and my bike was destroyed. I had a settlement with the driver, and I bought an Allez Epic with the first generation of DuraAce STI (8 speed!) Full carbon, mavic wheels, STI. Dude, lemme tell you this: I was the shizz. The thing about the Epic was that you took your life in your hands on every descent. It wobbled and shook like a recovering meth addict with parkinsons.
My first real road bike was a 2004 Allez Comp ultegra w/ the cipollini zebra stripe paint job. Awesome bike. Wish I still had it.
I enjoyed your history lesson and probably the thing to remember about the '70s in California is that Japanese cars and mini-trucks and motorcycles and dirt bikes were welcomed into the marketplace because of their affordability and quality. And the sport of motocross became this great duel between American and European riders on either Japanese or European mounts. And sure, while European road bikes were coveted by roadies, it was BMX which blew up as the most popular form of bicycle racing during the Seventies, with all those bikes and parts fabricated in California and Shimano and others providing components for those kids who had grown up on Schwinn Sting-Rays. And of course, the mountain bikers in Marin County were doing their thing by flying old bikes downhill and downhill BMX racing was a blast, I rode a JMC at a downhill track in a park in San Francisco in '79 at an NBA race and years earlier I had read with envy, because I was an American teen in West Germany at the time, about the Southern California downhill BMX tracks with huge jumps and those kids were flying like factory motocross riders, so cool. And it is all cool, the history and development of it all and certainly Specialized played a huge role by importing its made-in-Japan bikes and making high-performance bikes affordable for riders with a lust for kicks and speed. And Californians were crazy like that back then. 😀
Great video! I don't believe 3Rensho ever used any tubing other than Ishiwata. The very first Allez were built by a mysterious builder and were numbered "one of" with I think 1000 made. At some point in late '81 3Rensho took over production for a few years and there were no serial numbers on the bikes. Eventually, they couldn't provide enough bikes for Specialized. The bikes after the 3Rensho era had the Tange tubing.
Hope this video gets more views now the new Allez’s out. It deserves more views.
The 1990s carbon epic road bike looks amazing
My first road bike was an Allez Elite with Shimano 105 groupset. I don’t remember the year, maybe 2011? 2012? Before they were doing the fancy weld thing. Anyway it was a blast to ride and every bit as capable as my friends’ much more expensive carbon bikes. Never did any racing but I never got dropped on a group ride. Eventually certain life circumstances separated me from that bike but if those things hadn’t happened I’d probably still be riding it. Upgrading to a Tarmac would be borderline unnecessary. Sure the Allez may weigh a wee bit more than its composite cousin but in every way that matters the Allez looks, feels, and performs pro.
Instantly felt like I was watching Donut Medias car history. Solid concept!
YES, that was the complete copy idea hah
Still have a 91 carbon with 105 and Wolber wheels and I love it.
How about the history of Titanium mtn bikes? The Rocky Mountain Ti-Bolt or the Kona Hei Hei Titanium as examples. Anything on Paul Brodie and how his bikes evolved (through multiple companies) would be cool too.
Great video!
Good history and very interesting as always...
I've got a rarely used 2010 Allez 16 but I replaced the original (completely knackered) shifters for a new set of Claris ones a week ago, along with new cables etc.....She rides like a dream now....
More history of bike models please, this was awesome!
Super cool video! I never really thought I'd be interested in this type of bike history....but I have a Allez and Diverge...so I had to watch!
This was an excellent episode and I wish I were hardcore/aero enough for a sweet Allez Sprint but I am built like a house.
hey i got one for my first road bike loving it
Stumpjumper would be pretty cool, that bike has also seen quite a few iterations and even now is seeing a resurgence in the vintage models on top of all the different options you're seeing released today.
The early carbon Allez did break... the tubes were not glued into the lugs properly.. the fit was so tight the glue got pushed out and sometimes not enough was left... I know I worked in a shop that sold Specialized and bought one (with DA)... it broke at the BB lug... I called my rep and he said I would get a new one... 2 weeks later and nothing had arrived... so I went out and bought a Trek 660 frame (Reynolds 531). I raced that bike for years... it was not light or stiff but I rode the poo out of it.
Donut media of bikes (:
I was getting these vibes. Highly entertaining.
Jesus I sure hope not
PowwwwAaaaa
@@conman1395 what do you mean that would be sick
Great video! Love how it further spices up the variety of your content. would like to watch more of this new history category. Keep going!
When everything opens up and gets back to normal, you should make a trip here to Northern California and visit the Specialized museum along with the Marin museum.
Great content!
Great content. I like this type of video.
Liked this vibe
Bridgestone RB1 is my suggestion
Really liked this vid, I went from a genesis fixed gear to an Allez (standard poor man's edition) when I got a bit more into road riding, I had no idea of the history of it untill now. I quite like that there is a back story to the name. Also I miss my "fixie", but I brought a 90s MTB too after watching your videos so in a way you are helping me and on the other hand your causing marital issues..... 😂
Interesting, Cause I have one being sold right now in marketplace, And it’s the steel lugged carbon bike, Allez Epic.
Super good!
I like the conversational style. Love the new Allez Sprint Comp. by all acounts it is a fantastic bike. I personally like alloy sporty bikes better, such as this or the Caad 12.
Loved the new format... Keep up with the history videos. I'd love to see the stories of less industrialized manufacturers.
That was really good! I'm a road bike man, and you're covered the history of all the real road bikes you own now😉. Maybe road tyre history?
Love this new idea. Keep them coming. I'd love to see some mtb or bmx history next.
I have a steel and an aluminum one. They are such good frames.
Good format.
You mentioned briefly Mark DiNucci's role in training the brazers in Taiwan, but without context. DiNucci was a hot young racer and framebuilder here in Portland, working alongside Jim Merz, and Andy Newlands (Strawberry Bicycles). Jim Gordon was in that circle too while he was living and building in Eugene before moving to California. DiNucci was hired to help design the Allez, and is responsible for the lugs. Jim Merz came to Specialized at about the same time to help design the Stumpjumper, and is the guy later responsible for the carbon Epic Allez. DiNucci now lives in Sisters, Oregon and retured to building what I think are the finest lugged bikes available anywhere - his work is amazing. More here: redkiteprayer.com/2018/08/the-pull-mark-dinucci/
The Allez is the Honda Civic of the biking world
Nice, I just bought my first roadbike a month ago for $250. 2020 Red Allez size 56 and in like new condition. Crazy how lightweight road bikes are compared to my mountain bikes.
I guess Cinelli was the great influence for American bike builders back in the day. Besides Sinyard, Tom Ritchey allegedly based his company's road bike -- Road Logic -- on Cinelli rigs.
Wow! New type of content! Continue with this)
Great video Eric, loving the content you've been putting out lately!
You want to do a super fun one, look up the history of Mert Lawwill and his developments in Mountain bikes.
Makes me proud to own one!
I have s works limited Allez , red hook 1 and 2. Tour down under. And wild flower version.
Definitely would love a similar video on the stumpjumper...to keep going with specialized.
Would love to see some history into Canadian bikes too!
I like this kind of video. Nice
I would love one of these on the Ritchey swiss cross.
I rode one of the early 90’s lugged carbon Allez Epic for a while. The carbon weave through the fade paint finish looked slick, and it was light enough and comfortable enough, but was decidedly outclassed once carbon monocoque layups became more common. I like the 10 minute history format btw.
I still have my 1991 Trek 2100Pro with the similar style frame; carbon main tubes w/ aluminum head tube and rear triangle. I still ride it on occasion. I did upgrade the fork in 1997 to a Profile carbon fork with an aluminum steerer and also threadless headset because the factory bonded aluminum fork was a noodle in high speed curves.
Ah that brings back memories of the aluminum fork on that Allez Epic. I had the thought multiple times that it would be dangerous and probably fold if they actually put real brakes on the bike. Old school 105 calipers were sufficient at best.
@@nmcheese My Trek is still full Shimano 105. I had to replace the bars and derailleur after a crash years ago, but got lucky on the derailleur. Found one on Ebay for $25 that looked absolutely new, it may be a few years newer than the original.
Thanks for this great video ! I don't know if it is appropriate for your channel, but I would love to see a video about the history of the Giant TCR. Also Trek 520 would be cool.
I have an Allez Sprint Track. It's a great bike.
really interesting video
2017 Allez E5 with 105, my favourite bike of all time. It's geometry is pretty much a carbon copy of the ridiculously priced Aethos.
History of the Rockhopper please
Moa powa baby!
Rockhopper & Rockcombo next plz.
How about the history of the ox-cart?
This was quite enjoyable. Feel free to keep the images on screen for a little longer, there is lots to look at.
Allez is the equivalent to 105 in Shimano, is the greatest workhorse available, at an incredible price.
History of the Langster next and a campaign to bring it back!
I had a steel and aluminum alley I loved both of them and regret selling both of them
*EPIC-1988-1994'ish?* Allez Epic had ALLOY internal/external lugs (NOT steel lugs) to bond CF tubes. Those lugs were pretty and traditional steel bike-looking "lugs". I was a Specialized sales rep then (88-91). They sent all the outside reps a tube sample from the Allez Epics. Those CF tubes are t.o.u.g.h. I would go to a shop's service area and WHACKKKK(!) the tube on a bench vice-not gently either. That hit that would have instantly crimped and totally elbowed a steel tube but the CF tube bounced right off the vice and barely nicked the clearcoat layer-time and time again! I did this repeated times with the same tube. Wish I still had that sample tube. Again, a single hit like that to a steel tube would have been instantly catastrophic. That demonstrated clearly that the weak link would never be the tube, but the lug or the bonding. Generation 1 (1988) Allez Epic's had smaller/lighter/more supple looking lugs but must not have held enough adhesive area so lugs were redesigned for 1989 with a little more surface area. The difference was most noticeable right at the front of the head tube where there was more lug substance. BTW, the visible snakeskin looking woven surface layer is purely cosmetic-for looks only. The structural tube, seen from the inside just looks like finely woven graphite fiber-dull and not particularly attractive. And yes, Taiwan made/was making big commitments to CF technology in order to be the world leader in carbon fiber manufacturing.
*ALLEZ-1981+* Master framebuilder Yoshi Konno of 3Rensho built the first run of Allez's in 1981. Beautiful very thin hand filed lugs. Very sought after now. I believe only a few hundred were made before moving to higher production builders/COMPANIES like Miyata AND others. Possible that four or five builders/companies made the Allez. i.e. 1) Konno/3Rensho, 2) Miyata, 3) Tesch (prolly very very few), and definitely a couple other manufacturers.
1984 saw the Allez get a big boost of marketing and prolly demand because of being the featured bikes of the main character (Kevin Kostner) in the movie American Flyers.
Just yesterday I bought a 1981 Allez, a first production year model though not a Konno/3Rensho produced bike.
Awesome discussion! ^_^
Do the Stumpjumper! Also a history of Norco in general
Great and informative vedio, could you do one for the mtb range of Speclized Rockhopper
Cool video. I have a red 1980 something Allez that is not an SE, it has the black Tange Prestige decal on the seat tube and forks, and says made in Japan at the very bottom of the seat tube, it’s a very aggressive race geometry for that time, any idea what vintage it might be? I bought it off a Specialized Concept store employee in mint condition with a full Dura-Ace 7400 grouppo. Thanks
Good job!
You missed the short lived SWORKS line of Allez, I think they only made them in 2014-2015.
honestly, Donut-but-for-bikes would be a rad channel direction
good video - caad series next
@spindatt Hi Eric, daft question but what size tee are you wearing? There’s no size guides on the merch site... just cause I’ve lost a bit so not sure if M or L at the moment 😬 - best wishes from Scotland 🏴