| It's about that time of year when all the road bike | | | | The well-known and regarded Allez series has been |
| manufacturers around the world start to showcase | | | | completely redesigned for 2011. The geometry of the |
| their 2011 bikes. In 2010 there were some great | | | | Allez series is exactly the same as the SL3 Tarmac, |
| additions to the Specialized and Felt brands, so what | | | | which moves it into the category of entry-level race |
| does 2011 hold for those popular road bikes? | | | | bike. It is noticeable stiffer than previous models and |
| The Tour de France is only just over, but it was a | | | | two versions of the frame have been released the |
| great showcase for many of the top road bike | | | | more expensive E5 and A1. |
| manufacturers. As usual the tour didn't run smoothly | | | | Felt have launched the updated F series frames and |
| with all sorts of incidents, but what remained constant | | | | bikes. |
| was the in your face branding of all the top teams. | | | | In short the new Felt F1 frame is now 100g lighter than |
| Who is launching what in 2011? | | | | it predecessor at on 800g however Felt claim it to be |
| Specialized have launched the new Roubaix SL3, an | | | | between 10-45% stiffer than past models and so |
| updated Allez and the cycle-cross carbon Crux. | | | | gives an overall better ride. Some very clever |
| The new Roubaix SL3 ridden at the tour is designed | | | | materials and construction of the frame has been |
| with comfort in mind, whilst still having all the key | | | | included as well as perfect moulding techniques and |
| elements needed for tough racing conditions. The | | | | tapered tubes. Unfortunately they seem to have |
| weird looking zertz are its most noticeable feature and | | | | alienated many of their customers with an almost 50% |
| provide vibration damping through elastomer inserts. | | | | hike in price for their bikes. |
| Also you will see a chunky head tube giving the bike | | | | Felt have also brought out a new time trial bike the Felt |
| rigidity and keeping the bike responsive when a rider | | | | DA for 2011, which looks seriously slick, but it will only |
| decides to power up. | | | | be affordable to the few as it comes in at around |
| The endurance focused Secteur series are the | | | | approx 8,000GBP. |
| aluminium affordable versions and they have been | | | | However remember that once the 2011 road bikes are |
| tweaked slightly for the 2011 models notably the use of | | | | available for sale in the top cycle retailers then all last |
| the SRAM Apex groupset, a double compact chainset | | | | year's stock will be discounted and ready for sale. You |
| and the race specific tarmac SL3 which has kept its | | | | can pick up some great bargains for the 2010 and |
| aggressive geometry resulting in great stiffness with | | | | 2009 ranges with up to 80% off in some cases. |
| only a few other minor tweaks. | | | | |