Specialized core road range 2015 – from an S-Works Allez to the tour-the-world AWOL, we take a first look at them allDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The 2015 S-Works Allez Di2 (US$TBC / AU$9,9999 / £TBC). We can’t lie, we want one. Sure, it’s borderline ridiculous for an alloy bike, but we think that’s why it appeals so muchDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The S-Works Specialized Allez Di2 has a polished frame, helping achieve the rather crazy 1,050g claimed frame weightDavid Rome / Immediate Media
For 2015, the upper Allez models receive the patented D’Aluisio Smartweld – note how the position of the weld is more rearward than a more traditional head tube located weldDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The S-Works Allez Di2 will only work with electronic shifting. The Di2 wire enters the top tube, but then loops back into the head tube and runs along the down tubeDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Di2 wiring is run internally the full length of the bike, popping out at the very rear of the chainstayDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Why get an aluminium frame if you’re just going to cover it head-to-toe with carbon bits? That’s a good questionDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The 2015 Specialized Allez Elite (US$TBC / AU$1,499 / £TBC) looks to be a very competitive option to cheap carbon bikes at a similar priceDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Allez Elite is like many other 2015 models with its bright graphicsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Where the Allez S-Works and Comp frames get an oversized tapered head tube, the Elite model makes do with a straight a 1 1/8in sizeDavid Rome / Immediate Media
A few of the more basic 2015 Specialized Allez modelsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Allez 650 joins Trek and Giant in the offering of a decent road bike for kidsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Sirrus Pro Carbon Disc (US$TBC / AU$3,299 / £TBC) – all Sirrus Carbon models have a totally new frame for 2015David Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Sirrus Pro Carbon Disc brings a little mountain bike technology to the road, with its SRAM X1 11-speed gearing setupDavid Rome / Immediate Media
A new stem design for the Specialized Sirrus cleans up the look and prevents the dreaded ‘bumped knee on the bolts’ effectDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Sirrus Pro Carbon Disc does without a front derailleur, but Specialized have kept the braze-on mount just in case you do want to add more gearsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The new Sirrus Carbon recieves Zertz vibration damping insertsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
All new FACT 9r carbon frame for the Sirrus, and it still keeps the fender mountsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Another example of some of the new wild paintschemes in the 2015 lineup. Don’t worry, this Sirrus Sport Disc (US$700 / AU$899 / £TBC) also comes in a satin graphite paint tooDavid Rome / Immediate Media
This fiery number is the Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc (US$TBC / AU$1,299 / £TBC), also available in a satin sterling/black paintDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Some of the new paintschemes may burn your retinas. Part of it is fashion and the other is Specialized’s effort to improve cycling safetyDavid Rome / Immediate Media
All Sirrus models features rack and fender mountsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Many of the Sirrus models get puncture resistant tyres with sidewall reflectivityDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Specialized, along with many other brands, is making some chances to paintschemes for 2015. We like itDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Turbo, a cheaper version of the Turbo S. It’s a pedal-assist bike with a top-speed of 45kmph (25kmph in Australia due to e-bike regulations)David Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Turbo has an interface unit that controls the riding modes, along with offering regular cyclocomputer functionsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Turbo features integrated lights front and rearDavid Rome / Immediate Media
One of the biggest cost-saving changes to the Turbo is a smaller-capacity battery – although upgrading the battery is certainly an optionDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Standard SRAM derailleurs meet a Swiss-designed motor in the rearDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Good disc brakes are important on a bike with high-speed and plenty of weightDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Power on to ride? E-bikes are most definitely not a fadDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Whenever the bike is in use, the Turbo lights are onDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Turbo and Turbo S are the only bikes in the Specialized range to be operated by a keyDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Specialized Diverge is a whole-new range of performance gravel bikes. We covered this in its own storyDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized AWOL (US$TBC / AU$1,599 / £TBC) is an adventure tourer that’s ready to double as a daily commuterDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The AWOL features an upright riding position and gently curved bars in the effort of providing all-day comfortDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Many models in the basic mountain and hybrid lines recieve Specialized’s new Multi-Circuit’ damper, bringing decent suspension dampening to a lower pricepointDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Specialized’s core road range covers everything outside of performance-focused carbon road race bikes. Specialized has put plenty of effort into these ‘everyday’ bike ranges; the price-conscious Allez and flat-bar Sirrus ranges both receive some significant changes, and will join the the all-new Diverge model we’ve already covered.
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Additionally, the electric Turbo S gets a cheaper sibling and there’s also the AWOL, a focused touring bike with an off-road twist.
And if the technical changes aren’t enough, it seems 2015 is the year of loud, if not risky, paintschemes.
Allez is a long-standing price-conscious aluminium road series, a popular introduction to the sport for many cyclists. For 2015, the Allez S-Works, Elite and Comp models are made with a rather revolutionary new frame construction technique, which greatly reduces weight and positively impacts ride quality. It’s known as D’Aluisio Smartweld.
For 2015, the upper allez models receive the patented d’aluisio smartweld – not how the position of the weld is more rearward of a more traditional head-tube located weld : for 2015, the upper allez models receive the patented d’aluisio smartweld – not how the position of the weld is more rearward of a more traditional head-tube located weldDavid Rome / Immediate Media
A closer look at the patented Smartweld at the head tube
Chris Wehan, road product manager at Specialized, explains Smartweld: “When you combine the gusseted hydroformed head tube and top tube with its rolled ends, it creates a valley. This valley is awesome as it shows the welder exactly where to weld with no variation. It also concentrates the heat away from a high stress area, which is traditionally on the head tube, and then that allows us to create a thinner tube with great fatigue life and lower weight, and fine tune our desired characteristics.”
The new Allez Elite frame is 150g lighter than last year’s, and is a claimed six percent stiffer, and 11 percent more compliant.
We were slightly surprised to see that there are three versions of the Allez D’Aluisio Smartweld frame. The S-Works version has a claimed frame weight of just 1,050g with a OSBB bottom bracket, tapered head tube and Di2-only compatibility. The Allez Comp has a 1,150g claimed frame weight and keeps the OSBB and tapered steerer tube. The Elite model, however, makes use of a straight 1 1/8in head tube and threaded bottom bracket, and has a claimed frame weight of 1,250g.
The Allez Sport (US$970 / AU$1,199 / £TBC) and Allez (US$770 / AU$949 / £TBC) models receive a new E5 level frame too.
The specialized allez 650 joins trek and giant in the offering of a decent road bike for kids: the specialized allez 650 joins trek and giant in the offering of a decent road bike for kidsDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Specialized joins Giant and Trek in offering a kid’s road bike for 2015
And for the young ones, there’s now an Allez 650 (US$TBC / AU$899 / £TBC). The name comes from its 650c wheel size. It uses an A1 level frame, and will be available in a 44cm size only.
Sirrus
The specialized sirrus pro carbon disc (us$tbc / au$3,299 / uk£tbc) – all sirrus carbon models recieve a totally new frame for 2015: the specialized sirrus pro carbon disc (us$tbc / au$3,299 / uk£tbc) – all sirrus carbon models recieve a totally new frame for 2015David Rome / Immediate Media
The new Sirrus Pro Carbon Disc
Sirrus is Specialized’s range of flat-bar-road-meets-commuter bikes. The big story here is the all-new FACT 9r carbon disc frame. The new carbon frame is claimed to weigh 1,200g, to be more compliant than the Roubaix range, and all models, including alloy, offer fender and rack mounts.
Unlike previous generations, the Sirrus frames are developed from the ground-up with increased tyre clearance and a 2cm-longer reach to suit the flat bar position.
Sitting at the top of the line, is the unique Sirrus Pro Carbon Disc (US$TBC / AU$3,299 / £TBC) with its SRAM X1 1×11-speed gearing, Magura MTS hydraulic disc brakes and Specialized Roubaix Pro 28c tyres.
Perhaps a more ‘everyday’ example is the Sirrus Elite Carbon Disc (US$TBC / AU$1,799 / £TBC) with its Shimano Sora gearing and Tektro Gemini hydraulic disc brakes.
Turbo
The specialized turbo, a cheaper version to accompany last years turbo s. it’s a pedal-assist bike with a top-speed of 45km/ph (25km/ph in australia due to e-bike regulations): the specialized turbo, a cheaper version to accompany last years turbo s. it’s a pedal-assist bike with a top-speed of 45km/ph (25km/ph in australia due to e-bike regulations)David Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized Turbo
In a brief Skype appearance to Australian Specialized dealers, Mike Sinyard, founder of Specialized mentioned that the Turbo e-bike excites him the most, hinting at perhaps “riding a Roubaix with a motor inside the rear hub in five year’s time”.
With the e-bike market booming, Specialized proudly introduced the Turbo S, claiming it to be the ‘world’s fastest’ at the time. For 2015, the lower-priced Turbo (US$TBC / AU$4,999 / £TBC) is on offer. It shares many of the same features as the S, including the aluminium frame and Swiss-designed motor, but has a battery with fewer cells and doesn’t have the automatic regenerative braking feature.
Whenever the bike is in use, the turbo lights are always on: whenever the bike is in use, the turbo lights are always onDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The rear light is built into the saddle
The frame features rack and fender mounts along with automated integrated lights, which even run during the day for safety. The batteries are sourced from the same place as Apple. The S battery offers more cells (capacity) and also happens to be the only aftermarket battery option from Specialized, so upgrading the Turbo battery will be a simple option.
The Turbo models offer a top speed of 45kmph (although there’s a 25km limit in Australia). We’re told the bike doesn’t change between countries, it’s the software that’s programmed different to control to the top-end speed.
AWOL
The specialized awol (us$tbc / au$1,599 / uk£tbc) is an adventure tourer that’s ready to double as a daily commuter: the specialized awol (us$tbc / au$1,599 / uk£tbc) is an adventure tourer that’s ready to double as a daily commuterDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The Specialized AWOL (US$TBC / AU$1,599 / £TBC)
First released in 2014, the AWOL is a 700c/29in wheeled adventure tourer that has clearance for 29 x 2.0 MTB rubber. It features a Reynolds 725/520 steel frame, rather upright riding position, full rack and fender capability and disc brakes.
The Comp (US$TBC / AU$2,299 / £TBC) and frameset models are fully compatible with a belt drive.
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For a closer look, scroll, swipe or click through our gallery at top. The full story on the women’s ranges is coming soon.
