2019 Specialized Road Bike Guide
2019 Specialized Road Bike Guide
Our 2019 Specialized Road Bike Guide. It’s safe to say Specialized are a big player in the road cycling world, with their aero Venge and cobble eating Roubaix claiming multiple stage wins last season. But not all the focus is on high-end S-works racers, their range of road bikes is full and covers a range of price points.
Which Bike Is For You?
Each model has a specific purpose and comes in a range of different specifications to match your budget. Recently however manufacturers have started to blur the lines between models with a focus on versatility, which gives you, the buyer, more choice.
Specialized specify their bikes as such:
- Base Spec (no name)
- Sport
- Elite
- Comp
- Expert
- Pro
You can roughly judge the level of spec on the bike by these names, however not every model contains all 6.
Specialized Allez
The Specialized Allez is an entry-level aluminium road bike that was traditionally a budget-friendly race bike but in recent years the geometry has changed to provide a more comfortable and less racy seated position. The Allez is perfect if you are just starting out with road cycling, you need a winter training bike or simply if carbon doesn’t float your boat (or your wallet) and you are looking for a high-performance aluminium road bike. The Allez comes in the following specs:
- Base - Claris
- Sport - Sora
- Elite - 105
As the Allez is a budget-conscious bike it doesn’t use full groupsets and a lot of Specialized’s road bikes use Praxis chainsets rather than Shimano.
Specialized Allez Sprint
The Specialized Allez Sprint is a brand new aluminium race bike with beautiful aero tubing and the option of disc brakes. The Geometry is a bit more aggressive than the standard Allez and with disc brakes and extra tyre clearance, it is more versatile. The Allez Sprint proves that aluminium isn’t done yet and it’s even being raced by pro cyclist Peter Sagan. It only comes in a Comp spec with 105 disc or rim brakes or you can buy the frameset.
Specialized Dolce
The Specialized Dolce is a Women’s specific entry-level aluminium road bike with comfortable endurance geometry and vibration-absorbing Zertz technology built into the frame. Much like the Allez, it’s perfect as a first road bike, winter training bike and a variety of other uses when your budget isn’t huge.
The Dolce is our best-selling Women’s road bike and comes in at a price that makes it eligible for cycle to work schemes. The Dolce comes in the following specs:
- Base - Claris
- Sport - Sora
- Elite - 105
Each model has been designed from the ground up for Women so you can expect a great feel and fit from the Specialized Myth saddle, shorter cranks and shorter handlebars as well as a well thought out women’s endurance geometry.
Specialized Tarmac
To put it simply, the Specialized Tarmac is a carbon race bike that can go fast everywhere. It’s aero, but compliant enough to handle UK roads, and with the addition of disc brakes it can handle UK weather too! The Tarmac is perfect for club rides, sportifs and racing with a price range that suits a range of budgets. The Tarmac comes in the following specs:
- Sport - 105 (Disc Brake Only)
- Comp - Ultegra (Disc or Rim Brake)
- Expert - Ultegra (Disc or Rim Brake, Carbon Wheels)
- Pro - Ultegra Di2 (Disc Brake Only, Carbon Wheels)
The Tarmac is a really well-rounded bike and will suit most kinds of riding. It is also available in Women’s models (except the Pro) which have Women’s specific contact points.
Specialized Venge Pro
The Specialized Venge Pro is the little brother of the race-winning S-works Venge that the pros ride, at a price that we mere mortals are more likely to afford. With blade-like aero tubing and aggressive geometry, the Venge is Specialized’s all-out race bike designed for speed. It comes in one spec with an Ultegra Di2 disc brake groupset and carbon wheels.
Specialized Roubaix and Ruby
Inspired by the cobbles of the Paris Roubaix, the Specialized Roubaix and Ruby (Women’s version) are versatile endurance race bikes with disc brakes, wide tyres and suspension shocks in the head tube to handle rough roads fast. The Roubaix and Ruby come in the following specs:
- Base - Tiagra
- Sport - 105
- Comp - Ultegra (Carbon Zertz Seatpost)
- Expert - Ultegra Di2 (Carbon Zertz Seatpost, Carbon Wheels and Swat Box)
- The S-Works CG-R seat post is a carbon seat post with vibration absorbing Zertz technology and Specialized’s Swat Box is a storage device mounted on the frame. The Ruby has the same specs as the Roubaix (as well as an Ultegra Di2 Comp option) but with Women’s specific contact points and Specialized’s Women’s Endurance Geometry.
Specialized Diverge
The Specialized Diverge is Specialized’s answer to the current gravel bike trend. With wide tyres, disc brakes and geometry inspired by their trail bikes, it’s designed to be a road bike that can go anywhere. There is a choice of either an E5 aluminium frame or carbon, the carbon models all come with the same future shock technology as the Roubaix. The Diverge comes in the following specs:
- E5 - Claris (Cable Disc)
- Diverg E5 Elite - Tiagra (Cable Disc)
- E5 Comp - 105 (Cable Disc, Future Shock)
- Diverge - Tiagra (Hydro Disc, Future Shock)
- Sport - 105 (Hydro Disc, Future Shock)
- Comp - Ultegra (Hydro Disc, Future Shock, Carbon Zertz Seatpost)
- Expert - X1 Sram Force (Hydro Disc, Future Shock, Carbon Zertz Seatpost, Carbon Wheels)
All are available as Women’s models (except the Expert) with Women’s specific contact points.
Specialized Crux
The Specialized Crux is Specialized’s Cyclocross bike. That means it’s designed to handle mud, stop quickly even when caked in grime and be light enough to sling over your shoulder to jump over obstacles. With chunky tyres, disc brakes and a choice of E5 aluminium or carbon fibre, the crux ticks all the boxes. It’s versatile too, it would make a great commuter or everyday gravel bike, especially if you prefer the 1x drivetrain. The Crux comes in the following specs:
- E5 Sport - Sram Apex
- Elite - Sram Rival
- Expert - Sram Rival (Carbon Wheels)
Specialized Sequoia
The Specialized Sequoia is a classic style steel touring bike built to carry large amounts of gear over rugged roads. There isn’t a huge amount to say about it, it’s a design that has been around for years, it’s proven to have the necessary qualities for the job and it won’t let you down. The geometry is stable and fun to ride too. The Sequoia comes in the following specs:
- Base - Sora
- Elite - Sram Apex 1 (1x drivetrain)
