The geometry has also seen some changes, chiefly to accommodate the FutureShock suspension, with a higher stack serving to also give a more conservative all-day friendly position, as well as a longer trail for more predictable handling. However, the overall geometry meets Spesh’s ‘Open Road’ design, including a lower bottom bracket and shorter chainstays so the bike should be capable of giving a responsive ride on the road too.

Given the pounding that gravel riders take over wide-ranging terrain, contact points are also vitally important, so Specialized will also supply the Diverge with both male and female-specific saddles and bars, while a female-spec frame will be available as small as 44cm.

Specialized Allez – popular alloy frame gets relaxed geometry

With the alloy road machine, Specialized have taken the bold step of relaxing the geometry from the racy setup that has historically characterised the bike, with a taller headtube and a lengthened wheelbase for a more forgiving position and ride that’s designed to help the bike appeal more to first bike buyers.

While data from bike fit system Retul helped to inform the changes in rider position, Specialized has made use of its own ‘Win Tunnel’ in order to improve aerodynamics with a dropped seatstay design which now meets lower down the seattube. The change is also said to improve compliance levels, which suits the new, more relaxed approach to the frame design.

That said, if you want a traditionally racy Allez, then you can still opt for the Allez Sprint model which retains its specific profile and SmartWeld manufacturing techniques.

Other changes to the regular Allez include a drop of around 450g for each frame through the use of ‘E5’ alloy, while the Tarmac-esque carbon fork has been included to improve responsiveness at the front end via claimed improvements in stiffness and weight. It’s also gotten rid of the junction between the crown and steerer tube which Specialized claims improves ride comfort further.

Additionally, in order to maximise the utility of the Allez, the redesigned frames now receive mounts for mudguards and racks completing the newly widened appeal of the brand’s entry level alloy frame. There’s also internal cable routing to keep cables protected from nasty weather.

There will be three bikes based around the new Allez frame, including the top line Elite with a Shimano 105 groupset, mid-range Sport (with Shimano Sora) and the base Allez model that’ll see the use of Shimano Claris for the drivetrain.

You’ll also find design tweaks to make the bike easier to ride over particularly grotty ‘cross terrain, with a slightly raised bottom bracket, and a trail that’s been extended for the smaller frame sizes for greater foot clearance.

Full 2018 prices are yet to be confirmed for all three bikes.

Website: Specialized