Time to Buy Aluminium Road Bikes? New Specialized Allez and Trek Emonda ALR launched...

With the cost of new carbon road bikes going through the roof is it time to reconsider aluminium road bikes? Aluminium road bikes have always offered really good value for money and they also provide great performance too. So in this video I share some reasons to consider aluminium and also look at the new Specialized Allez and Trek Emonda ALR

Content
00:00 Intro
00:37 Reasons t choose aluminium
2:51 New Trek Emonda ALR
5:17 New Specialized Allez

Supported by Saddleback

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[alexharbron]

I ride an alluminium road bike by Scott. It IS harsh, it IS heavy, and it was very cheap. But I love it. It fits me perfect and when I'm riding alone, it still generates the illusion I am younger, fitter and faster than I actually am. Carbon is awsome, but alloy can still put a smile on your face.

[countchoculitis]

I got a 2023 Allez Sprint with 105 mech. I swapped the wheels for Roval Rapide CLII, changed the bar to Roval Rapide and the stem to Tarmac SL7. Result is a bike that competes with super bikes but at half the price.

[hamadalshamsi]

Your content is much better than GCN. Continue the great work!

[TheChancerdog]

I had a 2016 Emonda ALR and replaced the wheels with some carbon wheels and it was a good bike. Since there aren’t any good rim brake bikes I went and found an older Madone frame used and built off it rather than delve into heavy modern bikes that are insane in price. Built my whole bike to practically new for 15% of a new bike and LIGHTER than newer bikes

[neilrobinson]

There is nothing wrong with mechanical 105, i actually chose it over Sram force AXS for my recent road bike purchase!

[lennartschmidt]

I ride a 2022 Trek Emonda ALR. The Ride quality is superb and the weight with 7, 6 Kg for a size 60 and 58 mm deep Wheels very low.

[lazarosnikolaidis]

Although Specialized/SRAM head for ages, I 'd go for the Emonda ALR! This bike is a beauty! What a colour scheme! And soooo nice assembled without rough welding....On the other hand I was shocked to see Allez sharing geometry with Roubaix, as always was the aluminium version of Tarmac!
Great coverage of the 'alu' factor, David! Always informative and good stuff! 👍 👍😮

[edmundhodgson]

I'm lucky enough to have road and mountain bikes of all materials and the high end carbon ones are brilliant. But weirdly, I just see them as sort of disposable, I love owning my metal bikes

[WheelsMissing]

I bought a CAAD13 with 105 last year and loving it as my first road bike. Yes I am considering upgrading to a carbon bike like the supersix but I don't think results will differ much. Love your reviews, keep up the good work! Regards from Holland

[luukrutten]

I think this version of the Allez compared much better to the aluminium version of the Domane. Which also has rack and fender mounts and 35mm clearance.
I think the emonda ALR makes for a great crit racing machine. Knowing Trek you can probably sqeeze in 30's anyway. Especially since tire width labels have been getting a little bit narrower recently. The emonda ALR is more equal to the specialized Allez sprint or cannondale Caad13.

[Carmelov]

As soon as I saw you had your own channel I instantly subscribed! Always love the content keep it up.

[timmaros]

I ride a LOW aluminum road bike. Rim brakes and mechanical. I love it! LOW is more pricey than a Trek or Specialized, due to it being custom and hand made, but it rides so well! Super responsive and surprisingly forgiving on the road. Thanks again David for giving aluminum frames some much needed love.

[jons]

I’ve worked hard for my whole life and have done relatively well financially so, please don’t take this comment as bragging. I have three road bikes - Cannondale CADD 10, a Trek Domane (Carbon) and a Giant Defy Advance Pro 1 (Carbon). I love gravel riding and racing but, when I bought my gravel race bike I purchased an aluminum Specialized Diverge e5 Comp. To me it rode better than the carbon fiber version of the bike and I am confident it is durable and will last me a good long time. I did upgrade the saddle, the seat post, some of the drivetrain components and have ENVE carbon wheels mounted on the bike. I saved some money and love the way the bike feels. As you stated, David, a good aluminum frame can be better than a less expensive carbon offering. Fantastic content! Keep it up!

[JohnBrandon]

Can't say enough good things about an aluminum frame / carbon fork combo.

[glassacre]

Two months ago I bought a Ti hardtail and was floored at its smoothness. Since I ride primarily gravel (with some road) I think my next gravel bike will also be Ti. I'm also not a racer so it's an easy decision for me. I think it's high time people consider other bike materials beyond just carbon.

[kj.rising]

Love how you make a new bike release video into a buyer’s guide

[garyhocking]

I completely agree. I just purchased a BMC Teammachine ALR Two for $2299. 105 disc brake groupset. It's a fantastic bike. It did need some different wheels. The stock wheels were terribly heavy. Found some nice carbon wheels for $750.

[mrichards]

I still have a Trek Emonda ALR rim brake bike tarted up with all Dura Ace components 👍

[kenyeuong]

Love all your Contents mate. Keep up the great work 👍

[Sam]

I think the Allez might be a good ”introduction bike” for someone new to road cycling. And later after getting addicted and buying that S5 with Dura-Ace or something similar one can still use the Allez for commuting because of the fender and rack mounts (in Finnish ”työmatkatempo” that roughly means cycling to work as fast as possible and overtaking everyone along the way, not allowing anyone to overtake you).