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review

Specialized Allez Elite 2018

9
£999.00

VERDICT:

9
10
A more-rounded and versatile Allez without compromising fun, it's now a possible fast winter trainer too
Weight: 
8,770g

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The new Specialized Allez Elite has got longer and taller, improving its manners while still just about maintaining its racing aspirations, and for a lot of people it really is going to make a lot of sense.

  • Pros: Lighter with improved all-round handling
  • Cons: Not as aggressively sporty as previous version, but you can't have everything

Forget anything you may already know about the Specialized Allez, one of the most popular bikes for those new to riding or moving their way up the ladder, because for 2018 everything has changed, and I mean everything.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Last year I reviewed the Allez E5 Sport and it was an absolute belter. A bike that just felt right whether I was hammering it around or taking on a 200km audax; it was nippy, flickable and just fun to ride.

So why change it?

The Allez had always been designed as an entry-level race bike, something it was very good at, but I think it's safe to say the majority of people riding them had no intention of taking on the local criterium or road race. Because it can be picked up for less than the £1,000 Cycle to Work cap, the Allez has become a commuter's favourite, with many taking on the daily haul to and from work in all weathers and conditions. The new  design has reflected this, with the Allez frame now able to take full mudguards and a rear rack while still maintaining the ability to wear 28mm tyres. Since this review, Specialized has replaced the fork with one that doesn't have mudguard mounts, although you can fit mudguards via clips.

Specialized Allez Elite - seat stays.jpg

The geometry has changed completely too. There are only two measurements it shares with the 2017 model: the seat tube length and the head angle.

Specialized Allez Elite.jpg

Thankfully, it's still the same fun bike to ride, albeit with slightly different manners – a little bit more mature, if you like.

Specialized Allez Elite - riding 2.jpg

Last year's 54cm model had a stack/reach of 1.41, a very race-orientated long and low position, but this new Elite comes out at a much more relaxed 1.5 which is a good balance, somewhere in the middle between race and endurance machine.

These figures are created by a slightly taller front end. The top tube has also grown by 2mm.

Specialized Allez Elite - head tube.jpg

This, accompanied by the slightly longer wheelbase, has just taken the edge off the Allez's performance handling; it's not quite as sharp into the bends and the turn in feels just a little slower.

I must admit I do prefer the old one, as it better suits my aggressive style of riding, but the way the 2018 model handles does make for a much more suitable bike in varying conditions, and quite possibly quicker too if you take every ride into account.

Specialized Allez Elite - riding 4.jpg

If it's wet, for instance, you don't need to back off quite so much because the lengthier frameset brings an extra level of stability; this Elite still has that excellent ability of making you feel like you are sitting in exactly the right position on the bike at all times.

Feedback from the road is still impressive too, so you know what the bike is up to beneath you – even with the ever-so-slightly dead-feeling wire bead Specialized Espoir Sport tyres absorbing some of the information.

Using what Specialized has claimed as 'aggressive butting profiles' to the E5 aluminium alloy tubing, it has managed to shave a fair chunk from the claimed frame weight; pairing that with the new full-carbon FACT fork (last year's was carbon with an alloy steerer) sees a weight loss of 450g.

Specialized Allez Elite - fork.jpg

This has benefited the Allez's climbing ability over the previous model, especially with a none-too-shabby 8.77kg overall weight for this model, according to our scales. The overall stiffness of the frame helps here too; shedding that weight certainly hasn't seen any increase in flex, even though Specialized hasn't gone over the top with the oversizing of any tubes.

The dropped seatstays are actually positioned for aerodynamics thanks to the Allez's development in the wind tunnel, but the smaller rear triangle will no doubt increase tautness here. The chainstays are sensibly proportioned too and they plug into what most of you will be happy to hear: a threaded bottom bracket shell.

Specialized Allez Elite - chain stay detail.jpg

Stiffness at the front is taken care of with a tapered steerer on that new fork and head tube, which uses the not-so-common 1 1/8 to 1 3/8in headset, although there are plenty of replacements available online from the likes of FSA.

Specialized Allez Elite - head tube badge.jpg

Everything feels tight under hard cornering and braking, that's for sure, and thankfully it hasn't come at the cost of comfort. The entire frame manages to take out the worst of the road buzz and I never once felt like I'd taken a battering.

Another addition for 2018 is internal cable routing – well, as far as the bottom bracket shell at least, before they exit through a large opening underneath the down tube. It seems odd, on a bike to be used in winter with mudguards, to expose the cables at their most vulnerable position in amongst the tyre spray, but only time will tell. It's not the most sophisticated of setups either, with just a hole either side of the down tube for you to run a full outer down to a stop at the BB shell.

Specialized Allez Elite - cable route.jpg

The rear brake cable runs through the top tube and I'm happy to report that it didn't ping and rattle about on rough road surfaces.

Specialized Allez Elite - cable route 2.jpg

Finishing kit

Finishing kit is the usual Specialized own brand fare, and there is no harm in that at all. It's decent quality, simple alloy stuff with subtle markings that deter the badge snobs.

The handlebar has a 31.8mm diameter, as you'd expect these days, and it comes with a shallow drop from the top of the hoods to the bottom of the bar. This allows even the least flexible rider to use the full range of positions, getting in the drops for sprinting or just to get out of the wind.

Specialized Allez Elite - bars.jpg

The Body Geometry Toupe saddle has been around a while now and has a lot of admirers. I got on with it okay after a few rides but it is quite firm, though it will soften with use.

Specialized Allez Elite - saddle.jpg

As far as the drivetrain is concerned there are a few manufacturers involved. It's based around a Shimano 105 system, including the front and rear mechs plus the shifters and cassette.

Specialized Allez Elite - front mech.jpg

The chainset is an Alba 2D from Praxis Works – very similar to the one John tested, although here it's a 50/34-toothed ring selection.

Specialized Allez Elite - crank.jpg

I found the shifting spot on between the two rings even when under load, and its all-black finish certainly matches the stealth look of this Allez. It comes with a Praxis bottom bracket too.

The cassette is 11-speed, and Specialized has chosen an 11-32 rather than the more usual 11-28, and it makes perfect sense for the type of riding the Allez is likely to see, giving an extra couple of bailout gears.

Specialized Allez Elite - cassette.jpg

You also get a long cage rear mech, which gives you flexibility to play around with bigger or smaller sprockets should you want to without a massive price outlay.

Specialized Allez Elite - drivetrain.jpg

Specialized has specced Tektro Axis dual pivot brakes with a drop range between 42-52mm. They work pretty well, not showing any really worrying signs of flex like some deep drop callipers can, and as the rims and pads started to bed in together things were improving noticeably.

Specialized Allez Elite - front brake.jpg

Wheels and tyres

A mixture of DT Swiss R460 rims and unbranded hubs build into the type of wheelset expected at this price. Not exactly lightweight but they feel pretty sturdy and certainly took on everything I put them through out on the local lanes.

Specialized Allez Elite - rim.jpg

Both front and rear were a little out of true straight out of the box but not majorly so, and nothing a quick fettle with a spoke key wouldn't sort if you're comfortable with that. Our bike came straight from the manufacturer and needed to be assembled, so this kind of detail would hopefully be picked up by the retailer before it left the shop or warehouse.

The tyres, as I've already mentioned, are adequate performers but they are a bit heavy with their wire bead and layers of puncture protection, so a change to something lighter would definitely make a massive difference to how the bike reacts and feels. Grip was okay, and they shrugged off any invasions from the likes of thorns and gravel.

Specialized Allez Elite - tyre.jpg

What about the competition?

I've recently tested the Boardman Team Carbon, which is a quid more expensive than the Allez Elite. As the name suggests, it has a carbon fibre frame and fork, though overall weight between the two in stock builds comes down to just 100g.

The Boardman has more aggressive geometry, sitting somewhere between this 2018 Allez and the 2017 model, but this newer Specialized feels faster both in terms of speed and handling. I liked the Boardman and was actually quite surprised how much racier the Allez felt.

The Boardman also has mudguard mounts but doesn't offer the same levels of clearance as the Allez, making the Allez a better proposition for year-round riding.

> Buyer's Guide: Top choices of 2017/2018 road bikes for under £1,000

Another option could be the Giant Contend SL 1 with its alloy frame ready for guards and 105 groupset for £999.

All three use very similar builds, so I'd say the Allez Elite is spot on as regards pricing, especially when you consider how good the frame is. It's ripe for upgrades to the wheels and tyres too.

There also two other options below the Elite: the Claris-equipped model costs £599 and the Allez Sport is £799 with Sora, £50 up on last year but still looking to be a very good prospect.

Conclusion

Overall, while I personally may not be totally enamoured by the changes to the Allez's geometry to make it easier to live with and more stable, they have made it a bike that will appeal to a larger demographic, which obviously makes sense.

Specialized Allez Elite - riding 3.jpg

What is impressive is that Specialized has managed to achieve it without losing too much of the Allez's pedigree when it comes to a sporty and fun ride experience.

Verdict

A more-rounded and versatile Allez without compromising fun, it's now a possible fast winter trainer too

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Specialized Allez Elite

Size tested: 54cm

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

FRAME

Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8"- 1-3/8" tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

FORK

Specialized FACT full Carbon, 1-1/8" to 1-3/8" Taper 

FRONT WHEEL

DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes, 20h

REAR WHEEL

DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes, 24h

INNER TUBES

700x20/28mm, 40mm Presta valve

FRONT TYRE

Espoir Sport, 60 TPI, wire bead, double BlackBelt protection, 700x25mm

REAR TYRE

Espoir Sport, 60 TPI, wire bead, double BlackBelt protection, 700x25mm

CRANKSET

Praxis Alba 2D

CHAINRINGS

50/34T

BOTTOM BRACKET

Included w/ crankset

SHIFT LEVERS

Shimano 105

FRONT DERAILLEUR

Shimano 105 Ez, clamp-on

REAR DERAILLEUR

Shimano 105, 11-speed

CASSETTE

Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-32t

CHAIN

KMC X11EL, 11-speed w/ Missing Link

FRONT BRAKE

Tektro Axis caliper

REAR BRAKE

Tektro Axis caliper

HANDLEBARS

Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

TAPE

Specialized S-Wrap

STEM

Specialized, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

SADDLE

Body Geometry Toupé Sport, steel rails, 143mm

SEATPOST

Alloy, 2-bolt clamp

SEAT BINDER

Bolt type, alloy, 31.8mm

PEDALS

Nylon, 105x78x28mm, loose balls w/ reflectors

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Specialized says, "There's no denying it, we're still in love with aluminium road bikes, and when it comes to transforming this passion into a labour of love, we make a bike like the Allez Elite. If you're just finding your cycling legs, this is the best place to start."

The new Allez is a different beast to earlier models and has brought with it a lot more versatility.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
9/10

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Frame: Butted aluminium alloy E5 tubing with smooth welds

Fork: Full carbon fibre legs and steerer

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

The front end height has been increased a bit and the Allez now has a longer wheelbase, although it is still quite race-orientated compared with a lot of endurance bikes.

Full details here https://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/men/bikes/road/allezelite/133817

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

Stack is 570mm with reach being 380mm, giving a ratio of 1.5 in a 54cm size.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Yes, the ride quality is good, no harshness over rough surfaces.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Stiffness is good at the front end and bottom bracket area, which benefits steering and power transfer.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Pretty good; it's no ultimate sprinter's machine but it's well up to the type of riding it's designed for.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

Yes, but not really a problem.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Neutral.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

The handling isn't quite as sharp as a race bike, but unless you really try to fling it down every descent you shouldn't get into too much trouble.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

The Specialized own brand finishing kit offers a comfortable place for your contact points.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

I can't really think of anything to change at this price point.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

Definitely change those tyres for something with better rolling resistance.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
8/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
8/10

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

It's a bit of a mixture but it all works well together.

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for weight:
 
6/10
Rate the wheels for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for value:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so, what for?

On bikes of this price with a decent frame and fork, this type of wheel is absolutely as expected. They are decent enough performers but an upgrade to something lighter would really benefit the bike.

Rate the tyres for performance:
 
6/10
Rate the tyres for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the tyres for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for value:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so, what for?

A slightly dead feel to the tyres, but they are good at keeping punctures at bay.

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?

It's exactly as I'd expect to find here and does a good job for a simple aluminium alloy setup.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
8/10

Use this box to explain your score

Why 9? For a bike under a grand the Allez's frame and fork are hard to fault. Added to this, Specialized has brought a whole new level of versatility to the Allez; a larger range of riders will be very happy with it.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Kinesis Aithein

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

Add new comment

22 comments

Avatar
Metalface2021 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Am I the only one who believes one grand is too much for a heavy alloy bike with Tektro brakes, KMC chain and third-party chainset?

You can actually get a Canyon Endurace AL with a full 105 gruppo at the price.

Avatar
IanEdward | 5 years ago
0 likes

I just chopped the front guard at the back of the crown, used a Problem Solvers 'Sheldon's Fender Nut' to hold guard in place.

Now thinking I'll chop the rear guard either side of the brake calliper and use two separate brackets for each half, to mount it higher than calliper allows.

I had to take the 'black on black' model with black paint and irridescent (mostly black) decals. Will make up for it by putting on some fluoro yellow bar tape and a fluoro bottle cage smiley

Avatar
Jimmy Ray Will | 5 years ago
0 likes

I'd echo the comments above. There is little chance of getting a 28mm tyre through that front fork, a 25mm tyre is already tight... and no chance of doing either a 28mm or 25mm tyre with a front guard. 

I've gone down to a 23mm front tyre to run a guard. Even then I've had to make adjustments to the guard, swiching the bracket around so that it goes under the brake and not the fork crown in order to make it work. 

Other than that, its a nice bike, maybe a little short for my liking, but there you go.

The cable routing is pretty wank as well, although once set up, it works better than I thought it would. 

On the flip side, its a striking looking bike (blue and red) and gets attention even if its actually a fairly modest spec. 

Avatar
IanEdward | 5 years ago
0 likes

Road.cc really need to check their facts or at the very least not just re-print the manufacturer's claims verbatim.

Quote:

The new  design has reflected this, with the Allez frame now able to take full mudguards and a rear rack while still maintaining the ability to wear 28mm tyres.

To confirm - a 28mm Continental 4seasons fits through the front fork, but with so little clearance that I just wasn't comfortable running it outdoors in wet conditions, so I went back to 25s. In fairness, on the DT rims, a 25c tyre actually measures 27mm at its widest point.

Also, even with 25c tyres, mudguard clearance is reeeeeally tight. After all sorts of bodging and Dremelling and fiddling about I compromised by fitting some SKS Bluemels but using an older style metal bridge piece behind the rear brake, with a longer slot cut in it to allow me to push the mudguard tight to the underside of the calliper. There is still very little clearance and of course as the mudguard is now pushed against the calliper it rattles over every bump.

I'd heard people (e.g. Simondbarnes above) say clearances were tight but had hoped this was due to the confusion with recalled forks etc. but mine are the new 2019 models.

Basically the Allez is still a lovely bike for £1000, but is not the perfect winter bike I'd hoped it would be, in fact its only qualification for 'winter bike' is that it's cheaper than my summer bike, which actually had better mudguard clearance due to the chainstay mounted brakes... 

Avatar
IanEdward | 5 years ago
0 likes

Rats, was seriously considering using CTW to get one as a winter bike, for days when the singlespeed looks like too much work and I don't want to get the summer bike dirty.

I guess a replacement fork couldn't cost too much? Just wouldn't have the fancy red hook paint job...

Avatar
Joe Totale | 5 years ago
1 like

Following the fork recall this bike does not have mudguard mounts on the fork, only on the rear. 

Specialised have bodged a solution using G Clips but having seen the replacement fork which is a Tarmac fork and hence narrower, you aren't getting more than a 23mm tyre with a mudguard through it. 

Avatar
henryb | 5 years ago
0 likes

I had one of these on order (in red/blue, naturally) via the BtW scheme but it got delayed and delayed when Specialized recalled them because of a fault so eventually I gave up and the supplier gave me a deal on a Genesis Equilibrium 20. Lovely bike though.

Avatar
simondbarnes | 6 years ago
1 like
Quote:

jon3050 [9 posts] 23 hours ago
0 likes  

fitting mudguards and 28mm tyres as part of the review to test the clearances would have been useful if the bike has 25mm according to the review it looks a bit tight on the front without a mudguard never mind a 28mm and mudguard

 

There isn't clearance for a 28mm and guards. With the stock 25mm tyres clearance with a guard is very tight on the front. On the ones I've sold we've swapped to a 23mm on the front when fitting guards.

Avatar
BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
3 likes

"The dropped seatstays are actually positioned for aerodynamics ".  That will be a massive relief on the morning commute.

Avatar
TypeVertigo | 6 years ago
0 likes

For once, a bike from Spez I have no complaints about. Minimal idiosyncrasy, too.

Wow. Has hell frozen over? This is really well done.

Only thing I'd look at as a "downside" is the weight - a bit heavy for an aluminum rim braked bike, but the package is so sensible I can somewhat overlook it. And I rate the Espoir Sport tires pretty well; I used a pair until the carcass threads peeked through.

Avatar
Griff500 replied to TypeVertigo | 5 years ago
0 likes
TypeVertigo wrote:

Only thing I'd look at as a "downside" is the weight - a bit heavy for an aluminum rim braked bike

Maybe I'm behind the times, but I would have thought 8.8kg for a £1k aluminium bike was pretty good. A good kg less than a Trek Series 1 for example.

Avatar
IanEdward | 6 years ago
1 like
Quote:

still think it's a bit weird that if they're going with more of a commuter friendly geo that they haven't done a disc version...

But £1000, upright geometry, disc braked road bikes are ten-a-penny now, one of the few things which is really unique about the Allez is that it DOESN'T come with discs, which believe it or not is still a selling point for some of us

Don't Specialized do a cheap Roubaix or Diverge to cater for the disc brake market?

Avatar
gary p replied to IanEdward | 6 years ago
0 likes
IanEdward wrote:
Quote:

still think it's a bit weird that if they're going with more of a commuter friendly geo that they haven't done a disc version...

But £1000, upright geometry, disc braked road bikes are ten-a-penny now, one of the few things which is really unique about the Allez is that it DOESN'T come with discs, which believe it or not is still a selling point for some of us

Don't Specialized do a cheap Roubaix or Diverge to cater for the disc brake market?

 

Yeah, there are a few low-end Diverge models with a very similar frame to this new Allez that have disc brakes.  Those bikes also have more tire clearance (up to 38c), a slightly more commuter-friendly geometry (marginally more stack:reach, lower bottom bracket, slightly slacker head tube angles),  commuter-friendly subcompact crankset (48T/32T), and even more versatility for cargo carrying (rack bosses on the forks, bosses on the underside of the downtube).  They cost a couple hundred quid more than a similarly spec'd Allez, though.  

 

This new Allez isn't an all-out commuter bike so much as a road bike that will hold it's own on a weekend group ride, but with just enough concessions to make serviceable as a commuter, too.  

Avatar
Vejnemojnen | 6 years ago
0 likes

I love the frame geometry. Perfect-spot on for my needs. The rest of the stuff can be changed according to one's need, but, the basis of a great bike is always the frame.

 

The only thing I'm missing is the externally routed derailer cables.  1

Avatar
bigshape | 6 years ago
0 likes

still think it's a bit weird that if they're going with more of a commuter friendly geo that they haven't done a disc version...

Avatar
cyclisto | 6 years ago
0 likes

Lots of kudos to Spesh for the more upright geometry, big range cassete and the discreet paintjob. Commuters need them and ...we need more commuters!

On the other hand we don't need more unusual standards even if they are just in the headset.

Avatar
IanEdward | 6 years ago
0 likes

I told myself I wasn't going to torture myself by continuing to look at this bike, it had almost all the features I wanted (28s, endurance geometry, threaded BB, rim brakes, etc.) but I was unsure about the weight, and also wanted to hold out to see what the 'Red Hook' paint job would look like!

I eventually got bored waiting and plumped for a Rose Bikes Xeon, only takes 25s, is a press fit BB, but is otherwise very light and great spec.

However now I see what kenong has done with his, and seen the Red Hook colour scheme...

//www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/content/products/2018-allez-elite_11593.jpg)

Avatar
Parkrider | 6 years ago
0 likes

Just got mine recently. Removed everything, just keeping the frame. It's quite a nice bike to ride, it's quite stiff and feels like a carbon bike. Posted a pic at this forum http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=131&t=137841&start=120

Avatar
seacee replied to Parkrider | 3 years ago
0 likes

Looks good! Do you happen to know the weight of the frame/fork?

Avatar
jon3050 | 6 years ago
0 likes

fitting mudguards and 28mm tyres as part of the review to test the clearances would have been useful if the bike has 25mm according to the review it looks a bit tight on the front without a mudguard never mind a 28mm and mudguard

Avatar
arrieredupeleton | 6 years ago
0 likes

Agreed. However, those cable inners are a disgrace! 

Avatar
henryb | 6 years ago
1 like

Lighter, full carbon fork, threaded bottom bracket, full length mudguard-compatible - all looks good. IMHO the light blue and red colour scheme is classier than the matte black in these pictures.

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