NEW 2023 Trek Emonda ALR vs Specialized Allez Sprint | Aluminium Road Bike Super Showdown!

Which road bike is better and is carbon dead? The new Trek Emonda ALR goes head to head against the Specialized Allez Sprint in this ultimate aluminium road bike review.
If Specialized and Trek are to be believed then their latest alloy road bikes are carbon killers, but how similar are they? We take a look at the looks, bike tech, geometry, riding quality, tyre clearance and bike prices and specs to see if we can find which is the best aluminium road bike.
Which alloy road bike would you choose for your cycling? The Trek Emonda ALR or the Specialized Allez Sprint? Let us know which of these 2023 bikes you want in the comments section below...
Our full Trek Emonda ALR 5 review will be available on the road.cc site soon!
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⚫️ In this video
0:00 Introduction
0:49 Are aluminium bikes worse than carbon?
1:20 What's new on the Trek Emonda ALR?
1:38 Looks!
2:34 Integrated cables
3:53 Colour schemes
4:34 Geometry
7:13 Weight
8:10 Tyre Clearance
8:58 Bottom brackets and no mudguard mounts
10:00 Price
10:30 Available builds
12:30 Which is better?
13:16 Outro
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[@bebopman5]

Tbf, all of Trek's non-endurance race bikes are spec'd having 28c as their max tire clearance, but you can usually fit a 32c with good space on all sides of the tire front and rear. I'd like to see the CAAD13 added to this comparison as well.

[@ritrattoaziendale]

I agree, on my ALR5 with rim brakes I use 28c, that are 30mm large when measured with a caliper, and there's still some (tiny) space on both sides of the 105 brakes, so I'm sure the new one with disk has even more clearance

[@SzX1X]

do u know if the 2023 emonda alr can fit 32c with no problem? I would buy asap, but tire clearence is important

[@Rezmund]

​@Lks F yes, no problem.

[@keirinmaster]

I was thinking the same thing; "Where's the CAAD13?" Cannondale has long been the leader for aluminum. Remember the "Legalize my Cannondale," campaign when Gilberto Simoni and Damiano Cunego were racing them on the Saeco team?

[@a1white]

The Trek looks better in my books. Classic seat stay lines and very clean welds. £200 less too sells it to me (if I was looking for an aggressive, fast, slightly impractical race orientated bike - which I’m not 😅)

[@Horstelin]

The Allez frame costs as much as my whole carbon canyon endurace did in 2018. This is mad.

[@nektin9923]

Aesthetic wise, Specialized allez sprint just looks so cool and modern but I love the trek more because of its classic look like the seatstay is connected to the top tube. I'd also choose the trek because of its standard round seatpost. A lot easier to replace if the current seatpost would be problematic in the future Bonus: trek got the most smoothest weld surroundings than specialized

[@ronitdebnath]

Caad 13 should have been in the conversation.

[@richardggeorge]

My Caad 10 weighs 1150g in size 56 😁

[@Chimy1423]

Yeap!! Caad13, it should have been there.

[@blackprincegt]

Cry more nerd

[@diegoeleazar9154]

Hopefully the 14 is on its way 🙏

[@318ishonk]

Just FYI I tried fitting a Conti 32mm tyre into this 2023 Trek Emonda ALR frame and that works. Tyre was effectively 34mm wide and there's still a few mm between rear wheel and front mech (the tightest spot). If you go 1x you might fit 35mm tyres as long as the rim's not making the tyre wider.

[@dani.lefebvre]

Appreciate the honesty; you liking the looks of your bike will do a lot.

[@xmarcika]

Specialized allez sprint looks really good! But I would choose Emonda just because of those welds 🤣🤣

[@wsbygt]

Yeah why didnt they sand it? On the other hand the Emonda´s cabling solution looks pathetic for the price asked.

[@cedpatin]

​@@wsbygtcan you explain more ? For that price point there isn't a better solution what do you mean ??

[@wsbygt]

@@cedpatin I was referring to cables exposed below the bottom bracket and in the headset area where water and dirt will corrode if not maintenance isnt taken seriously. And if the rider for some reason goes over an irregular path aka stairs, large tarmac humps, tree roots, etc.. theres a possibility of cable damage SPECIALLY if the chainring is upgraded for a smaller one like an 38 (for gravel). Once I scratched my bottom bracket fixing my frame to a mount and other time going to a street divider if there where cables I could hinder shifting or brake action. A really idiotic solution from a reputed brand in 2023! Cheers

[@cedpatin]

@@wsbygt yeah I understand where you came from. The second generation of Edmonda ALR had the cable and brake hose in the same position and I never witnessed anyone damaging them. It might be too lower the cost as a oversized bottom bracket area might be expensive to produce. It's going to make that bike easier to work on tho. Plus you can switch the starter and the stem to the Domane one to have a more integrated cockpit ! Anyhow still a very nice bike imo ! Have a great day 😁

[@marcgtsr]

allez looks way better, dont care about the welds

[@Digi20]

Alloy is a very nice material for a road bike and wrongly got a bad reputation in the last years. so nice to see dedicated AL frames coming back - however, the price point of those two is totally out of this world. you can basically get a complete 105 equipped AL bike from the likes of canyon and rose for the price of the framesets alone. even with a bit of aero optimization etc i cant see anything that would justify it. heck, you could buy a rose pro sl disc, sell all the 105 stuff for good money and almost get that frameset for free this way, than throw on your dura ace di2 stuff if you want to.

[@JB-ti7bl]

Love that blend cut from one bike to the other at 0:25!

[@lesflynn4455]

Nice looking bikes, bar the welds on the Spesh. They look ghastly. Also, I'm guessing Cannondale still makes some form of the CAAD. The 13 was the last I was aware of. If so, I'm surprised you didn't take the opportunity to do a 3 way test.

[@Chimy1423]

This is the fight we have being waiting for. Yes!!

[@LaurentGloaguen]

You should explore other interesting alternatives like the BMC Teammachine ALR, and of course the pioneer of the genre, the CAAD13. The Specialized's welds are just awful.

[@ercmadden]

Can’t decide if I love or hate that paint job on the trek. Leaning towards love

[@AussieInJapan]

I’d pick the Trek for overall but the Specialized for colours. The sunrise orange and red ALR from a few years ago really caught my eye but not this year’s multicolour.

[@savagepro9060]

I can't wait for the Scott Aluminium Foil. Got my Tin-Hat helmet all ready!

[@ronitdebnath]

Can you share sources with regards to the potential launch of Foil AL?

[@zimboy777]

coming in late as I’m looking for a crit racer to replace crashed Giant Propel - the Allez looks much more like a racer, the sworks fork and seat post plus 32 m tire clearance and cable options appeal to me - probably just covers the $300 frame difference -

[@hide8165]

Nice video thanks you What is your size, inseam ? I plan to buy the emonda alr 5 😁

[@salohcin1000]

Here in the States, the price difference between these two is crazy - $3000 for the Specialized, only $2300 for the Trek. The frames are $500 in favor of the Trek. I always think it’s interesting how the U.K. has the biggest bike review presence on KZbin, but the prices can often vary wildly even between the same exact model in the U.K. vs the U.S. And then sometimes the same model will be nearly the same price, even when accounting for conversion.

[@kieron88ward]

In the UK you are looking at £500 cheaper for the Trek. The Spesh frames are mostly out of stock here too so the colour thing is a mute point.

[@flodahm8014]

Riding both sl7 and (the old rim brake) Allez sprint i can not complement the Allez sprint enough - its feels more aggressive than the tarmac sl7. Sure its not faster but just as fun if not even more fun thanks to its super aggressive geometry. Hope to try the new Allez sprint soon and see if they maintained that wicked aggressive ride quality.

[@aneczka2114]

When specialize get rid of the welds the Alez is gonna be a banger

[@pboerner22]

Love my Allez Sprint and would choose it again. Fun fact: mine has the same color as yours

[@trajtemberg]

The ALR seems great, really easy on the eyes. Had a 2020 Allez Sprint Track, super rigid, fast and strong enough to survive a car crash.

[@royanderson3478]

HI 👋 there. Do you realize they no longer make the sprint track? I prefer single speed with a free wheel 🛞 for my everyday commute, minimum parts, and costs .

[@ariffau]

I am hopeful for Caad 13’s successor 🤞🤞 I hope they can use the seatpost from Gen.4 S6 Evo. I love how ridiculously narrow they are and I love their rendition of where to put Di2 battery

[@savagepro9060]

ah, my new favourite friend. God I love the internet. What's up buddy! Hope you get that CAAD 13+

[@geraldtone5914]

Did you hear any news about a new Caad or are you just assuming one is coming?

[@ariffau]

@@geraldtone5914 I am just assuming there is one in the pipeline.

[@kieron88ward]

Glad they updated the geo to H1.5, this is what put me iff the old ALR. The new one looks really good.

[@neilfowler3284]

The answer to any question about that Specialized will always be: welds

[@jacobpedersen2368]

if only the allez sprint had those "invinisible" attachment points I would go specialized no doubt.

[@nekekaminger]

Easy choice. With standard seat post and at least only partially integrated cables the Trek is the clear winner for me.

[@prwrp]

I have the Trek and I LOVE IT

[@zhoujustin1954]

definitely allez sprint while i just ordered the most fancy color in 2023😊

[@JackofNothingess]

The CAAD13 or the Scott Foil AL might be good competitors in this area. Thanks for your analysis

[@ronitdebnath]

Can you share sources with regards to the launch of Foil AL?

[@savagepro9060]

Scott Aluminium Foil

[@ronitdebnath]

@@savagepro9060 Where is it available? Links please? on the launch or availability?

[@savagepro9060]

@@ronitdebnath come on Ronit, it's Aluminium Foil, it's not going to be Launch, but LUNCH

[@kevinbuja8105]

Out of pure nostalgia, I’d go with the Allez. That was one of those bikes in the 80’s that was sought after. A red Allez. Yeah, back in the days of steel.

[@sugurukase1046]

I fit 32c Corsa N.EXT on my new Emonda ALR5 with absolutely no problem. Trek is conservative about clearance but we don't have to be. For those who don't like the paint keep in mind that it's probably gonna change every year and the matte black one also looks gorgeous.

[@SzX1X]

How much safety space is there between the tires and the frame? (small splinters, dirt could cause damage?) also do you think it would fit 32c gravel tires too?

[@sugurukase1046]

@@SzX1X A lot of space, about 1 cm on boths sides I think. I have never used a gravel tire so can't say anything about that.

[@garyhocking6947]

I agree that aluminium bikes are back. Just purchased a BMC Teammachine ALR for $2299. Replaced the horrible stock wheels with some carbon wheels I already had, and I'm really happy with what I have.

[@13overton]

I did exactly the same. Carbon wheels made a big difference. I have owned many alloy bikes but the ALR is the best yet.

[@vigneshmudliar2387]

Just bought Emonda ALR. Beautiful bike.

[@roadcc]

Good choice!

[@BennyOcean]

I like that the Emonda doesn't have the dropped seat stays. I'm a CAAD12 rider and prefer the classic styling, even if there is some minor aero or comfort penalty. Whatever the aero penalty might be I'll sacrifice it in the name of improved looks.

[@richardggeorge]

He said the trek is MORE comfortable because the standover height is lower (more exposed seat post)

[@plsken]

Even a caad13 has noticeable welds now that it sucks compared to the old caads like 8,10,12. Plus, these featured bikes are expensive for being an alloy that supposed to cater budget. With the similar prices, I'd rather get a Giant TCR advanced which is carbon, lighter and better for overall riding.

[@Flint_Westwood]

Great comparison. I'm intrigued regarding weight, if that is for the medium frame size though.

[@roadcc]

Hi Flint, both for a size 54cm

[@richardcarr6493]

NOT A CHANCE OF EITHER AT THOSE PRICES , l miss the old option of direct mount rim brakes 105 ALR for 2k CDN AND A CARBON version for 2500 CDN and disc brake were an option . THE Allez came in around $1300 for rim . THOSE WERE GREAT DEALS .

[@ritrattoaziendale]

My Emonda ALR5 (dunno if first or second gen; it's from 2018) has 105 5800 rim brakes, and can accomodate 30c tyres (I use 28c that, measured with a caliper when inflated, are 30mm large, and there is still some space on the sides), so I'm pretty sure that the new one, with disk, can easily accomodate a 32c tyre, even if not declared as such.

[@deely153x]

Would like to see a comparison between the new Emonda ALR and Trek Crockett.

[@Relevant_Irrelevance]

"Alloy still represents a real alternative to carbon". Between alu and steel, its the only option sometimes with bike prices and cost of living nowadays 🥴I'm just happy to be on a decent alu bike as it is.

[@marcelloispuentespina4526]

Should have included the caad13 disc as it is also an aluminum super bike

[@chriss6971]

Nothing wrong with welds, a nice weld is a thing of beauty

[@hcw199]

Are the allez welds aero? Haha

[@chriss6971]

Golf balls have dimples so maybe it could be haha

[@WerdnaLiten]

I'd actually prefer the ordinary Allez over the Sprint. I don't race so don't need aggressive geometry.

[@tunguyenminh9755]

I'm currently using the Trek Emonda ALR 4 2019 version. After replace the wheels and groupset. The weight is from 8.6kg to 7.5kg. I'm quite happy with that. But my bike is all alloy, when I descend by over 50 kph, It's start shaking. I think It's because of alloy, the material issue.

[@thevirtualeconomy]

You need some carbon wheels

[@richardasalazar]

Allez Sprint FTW! Side note: what floor stand is being used in this video?

[@JumpingWatermelons]

Wow that TREK is a beautiful frame... For a comparison, shouldn't you also include a Cannondale?

[@user-wv5on7kq1m]

Thank you

[@mlee6050]

There is me going Emonda ALR with SRAM red axs and axs dropper also aero wheels for 7.8kg, be about 7.2kg with carbon seatpost (I had to build as not like Shimano and building myself get all I want as not seen Trek offer White Era as full build but might custom paint it different as rainbow dye tie where most of the white is

[@MrKin92]

I have both bike from the previous gen, and they perform nicely in different occasions. Emonda for long and climbing route while my allez carries me through road race and duathlon. I'm excited to the new emonda thou (Not really liking the not so aggressive looking new allez)

[@yonglingng5640]

Yeah, the first-generation Allez Sprint looks fiercer. If there's anything for me to complain about it, it's its proprietary headset bearings.

[@petetube99]

Alloy was ALWAYS competitive, The industry just wanted you to upgrade, and you did, now they have people going the other way, people must see this surely?.

[@hcw199]

I wouldn't buy either because of the disc brakes, cable integration and absurd prices. Anyone agree?

[@TheCyclist19]

Yeh 100% agree, if you know what your looking at you can build a killer bike for sub 1k. Rim brakes, external cables, lightweight etc if you know you know :) I am under 40 and it pains me to see what people are spending on a bicycle for no real benefit, a bicycle should simplify your life :)

[@artgreen6915]

So with the welds in that position, the beginnings of the top and down tubes are one piece with the head tube on the Specialized are they? How? An extreme application of hydroforming?

[@yonglingng5640]

Yes.

[@swanauto47]

The Émonda ALR paint job looks like the Taylor Swift Lover album cover🔥

[@Horstelin]

@roadcc what brake calipers are you using on the Specialized?

[@roadcc]

Hi there, Magura MT8 SL FM - You can check out the final build here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXuxhpSdaKlpkNk

[@ThePalestinians8myCat]

I just wish he’d and most of the road fraternity would invest in a pair of baggy shorts.

[@savagepro9060]

Alloy doesn't just mean aluminium. A steel frame is also 'alloy'. An alloy is a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.

[@thegrimpeur]

Grinds my gears every time I hear someone misusing the term.

[@PG-3462]

The term "alloy" is used in comparison to carbon bikes, which are composite

[@rangersmith4652]

Good thing I already have a fast aluminum bike, a 2000 Allez M4 Pro, so I can pass on both of these. If I did need an aluminum road bike, I'd still opt for neither of these and take a Cannondale Optimo 1 with mostly external cabling, 105 11-speed shifting, FSA crankset, and Tektro rim brakes for just $1305 US.

[@richardggeorge]

Or buy secondhand caad10. I highly recommend

[@rangersmith4652]

@@richardggeorge Another good choice.

[@n22pdf]

CAAD13 would be my choice of new ally.. still love my CAAD10 and SSE😊👍🤩🏅🚴

[@ronitdebnath]

+++ caad12 owner here.

[@LTBlightthebeam]

CAAD10 gang!

[@tarantulasam7609]

I have a CAAD 10 hooked up to Zwift in my family room. Love that bike.

[@Cortes19882012]

CAAD12 here.

[@SvenfromKiel]

CAAD 10 here too

[@goodboyringo9716]

Trek doesn't show a Emonda alr 6 on the USA web site

[@jairotelloponce7137]

Me quedo con la Trek Émonda 🎉

[@bernardo9202]

Trek color scheme are horrendous nowadays. in that department specialized takes the crown. The diference in price, means you can get a better finishing kit on the emonda, compared to the allez stock options. The sl stem should be a factory spec from specialized for the price they ask. You can buy some preatty nice entry level carbon bikes for what the ask, like orbea orca, canyon ultimate and endurance, rose Xlite, focus izalco, scott addict and so one. Specialized has the name to push prices, but, the finishing kit on the bike, should be way better for the 3300 Euros, the ask

[@simonshusse]

CAAD 13 is the one to beat, these can have it out for second place imho. It has clearance for gravel tires and mounts for mudguards. That's just so well behaved of Cannondale to think of that.

[@mikenarayan5622]

I have both these frames. EmondaALR is more comfortable & stiffer & lightweight good for hills & rough roads all around. Allez is good for around town the bottom bracket is not made well.

[@zzhughesd]

ALR so so good ride it summer if may rain and can hardly tell not on SLR with DAce. ALR with 105 rim is where it is at. I own SL , SLR and ALR twice and it’s the latter that impresses the most. Kinda an Emonda sucker. Keep trying to leave the frameset 5 odd years later still ride them

[@s.h481]

Waiting for CAAD14

[@Jalfred92]

Alloy rocks, lighter, cheaper, and more mouldable than steel, way less environmental damage than carbon.

[@mikeburton8426]

Now I’m wondering how much tire clearance I have on my Rim Brake Allez Sprint. I think If I can put 30’s on that bike I would be quite happy not moving to a disc version frame??

[@roadcc]

We managed to squeeze in a 28mm on the rim brake version, I think 30mm might be a stretch too far unfortunately

[@yonglingng5640]

Since the max. tire clearance for most, if not all rim brakes, is 28 mm, this is the widest you can go.

[@thomHD]

The Boardman 8.9 SLR is Shimano 105 with a carbon frame, 8.9kg, by a UK brand (if you care), and £200-300 cheaper. For that reason I wouldn't actually choose either of these bikes.

[@elialexander-tanner5784]

I'd love to see how the CAAD13 is holding up against these two.

[@jonasbielskis1033]

Emonda. Because of round seatpost

[@jimmysavage258]

That Trek frame was made in Germany?

[@diegoeleazar9154]

The gloss black allez sprint looks good. You wont event notice the ugly welds.

[@Vinch22]

I will chose Allez Sprint over Trek ALR. I can stomach the weld rather than that exposed cables under the BB shield and the integrated cable routing is ugly.

[@co7013]

I think the Allez Sport would probably be the more useful bike for me.

[@troyhiscock3984]

Trek..baby

[@obiseankenobi2056]

imagine the day at specialized hq when someone said " my dudes - let's put big ugly welds in the top AND the down tubes on our new alloy bikes and call them 'smart' welds for some reason .. " and after a moment of stunned silence everyone else at the meeting stands up and cheers and applauds and it hits the market months later ..

[@kevingregoire1042]

Santa Clause, please make a fully integrated Allez Crux, or a fully integrated Caad X, to bring all the cool kids to cyclocross gravel and road with one beast to rule them all... rule , roll, roule you get it ;)

[@jonburnell532]

It is a shame Trek don't use the better Alloy on the Domane. I would pick the Emonda out of the two of these, I prefer the look of the non dropped seat stays, and those Allez welds are dogshtick ugly. Like you said though, both are incredible bikes.

[@ariffau]

Yea. I wonder why the better alloy is not used on the Domane as well

[@froggy0162]

Smoothed welds just allow them to hide dodgy welds… It’s allow - wear the welds with pride :)

[@openwheelracing88]

That chimney 😂

[@savagepro9060]

they need to funnel the fumes and smoke after your wallet burns🤣

[@a1white]

They’re not going to cut the steerer on a test bike!

[@savagepro9060]

@@a1white because a starer staring at the steerer might me hypnotized into buying the bike

[@ThePalestinians8myCat]

So how the hell do you seal the headset against water ingress with the cables running through a great big hole in the top cover? I hate all this new cable routing.

[@yonglingng5640]

The most you could do is to coat them with water-resistant grease. Sure, it can't provide full protection, but it can at least slow things down. Some new bikes come with barely greased headset assemblies and ever since I learned about this, I deliberately take it apart to regrease it whenever I had to unbox a new bike. However, I was called extra for doing this kind of preventive maintenance. *Integrated internal routing isn't my favourite routing configuration, so I know why some dislike it.

[@ThePalestinians8myCat]

I’ve got a solution to the water ingress issue. Just run the cables on the outside of the bike. It has many benefits, like no water getting into your headset, easy maintenance, don’t have to rebuild your brakes if you want to switch them around and you don’t have to fart about like a twat trying to thread it all together. Sod aero I ride Mtb anyway I just what a road bike to go to the cafe after a jaunt around some back lanes and my local park.

[@RobertRobert-uc7fi]

Caad 12

[@Cortes19882012]

Why no CAAD ?

[@user-wv5on7kq1m]

How much does the Imunda ALR5 weigh?

[@roadcc]

9.06kg in the build shown

[@TheCyclist19]

Wow, crazy heavy... Would also be a nightmare to work on with that internal cable routing, bikes are so heavy these days unless your spending big bucks but even then they cannot compete with the humble rim brake. Rim brake for the win!

[@thevirtualeconomy]

Buying new - Allez Sprint as will hold its value Buying second hand - Emonda ALR as it will be dirt cheap in 5 years

[@bikeman123]

I dont think my back would find the bar drop acceptable on either of them.

[@YtseHWSW]

What? No CAAD in the comparison? What a shame.

[@kenlxpd3491]

The difference in frame weights could be because the Trek is a 56cm and the Allez is a 54cm frame.

[@kenlxpd3491]

I meant difference in total weights. A 56 cm Allez frameset might weigh the same as the Trek.

[@alainpfammatter8224]

Please check your subtitles. Some words were wrong. Like „alloy is bad“ instead of „alloy is back“ 😂

[@hcw199]

Please explain to me why these two are any better than other alloy frames... For example a Giant Contend/TCR? Let's be real.

[@kieron88ward]

I like the Allez but can't get over the seat tube welds 🤮 The Trek is the nicer of the 2.

[@lanzauno]

based on appearance of welds alone.... trek, all day. specialized has become increasingly confused about their place as a premium brand.

[@MarkTrav1982]

Anyone know how tall he is?

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Can't stand the Allez welds. It's would look better than the Emonde if it weren't for that.

[@canepaper967]

Personally feel like those welds are horrendous looking

[@NM-zi2zv]

The Allez weld joints look bloody awful and would keep me from buying it over the Emonda!

[@orsations]

Those Specialized welds are just lazy.