CyclistCannondale CAAD 14 vs Specialized Allez Sprint: Which is the best aluminium race bike?Aluminium road bikes tend to be come in at the lower end of the bike market, yet the Cannondale CAAD14 and Specialized Allez Sprint make a strong case for proving that alloy is still a viable alternative to carbon, even at prices north of 2,000.Both make extensive use of the respective brands aluminium forming expertise to deliver relatively lightweight bikes. While the Allez Sprints truncated aerofoil tube shapes may provide aerodynamic benefits, Cannondale has gone back to the round tubes and non-dropped seatstays of its original CAAD frames, which stretch back to the mid-1990s, for a more retro look.The Allez Sprint has a different frame from the standard Specialized Allez range. While the Allez is a more relaxed all-rounder, the Allez Sprints frame is longer and lower and favours a more aggressive ride position. Spec-wise, both the Allez Sprint and CAAD14 are available fitted with a Shimano 105 12-speed groupset. Is the closely matched CAAD14 3 or the Allez Sprint the better buy? Lets get into the details. Related Posts Stunning new CAAD14 goes back to Cannondale's alloy bike roots Best aluminium road bikes 2026 reviewed Specialized Allez Sport review Specialized Allez Sprint Comp review Best road bikes 2026 ridden and reviewed Cannondale CAAD14 3 vs Specialized Allez Sprint: Key features Cannondale CAAD14 3Alloy frame with round tube profilesShimano 105 12-speed hydraulic disc brake groupset (SRAM Rival AXS and Force XPLR AXS specs also available)32mm tyre clearance, comes fitted with 28mm tyresFully internal cablingAlloy seatpostSharp handling and stiffness claimed by CannondaleSix size options2,995Specialized Allez SprintAlloy frame with aero tube profiles based on Tarmac SL8Shimano 105 12-speed hydraulic disc brake groupset32mm tyre clearance, comes fitted with 26mm tyresSemi-integrated cablingCarbon seatpostFirm rideSix size options2,599Cannondale CAAD14 3 vs Specialized Allez Sprint: Frameset and designThe Allez Sprint has the classic aero frame look of a modern race bike. In fact, the Allez Sprint has almost the same aero tube profiles and frame angles as the previous generation of Specializeds top carbon race bike, the Tarmac SL8.Specialized says this involved some complex manipulation of the alloy sections, such as the head tube. The Allez Sprints bottom bracket and down tube are constructed as a single piece to save weight and reduce the number of welds.Specialized welds the frame together using its Smartweld technology, which chamfers the surfaces to be welded rather than having a straight-across weld. It also moves the joints in the head tube down the joining tubes by adding short sections of the down tube and top tube to the head tube module.This, says Specialized, reduces weld material and increases frame strength. Specialized has ported design features from the Tarmac like integrated cabling, as well as using the same S-Works carbon seatpost as the previous generation Tarmac SL7, from which it was derived.The CAAD14 uses Cannondales SmartForm C1 Premium alloy, which Cannondale says makes the frame very light for an alloy bike. The cables on all specs of the CAAD14 are fully integrated and run through the same Delta steerer design as used by the SuperSix Evo and Synapse carbon bikes.Cannondale was one of the proponents of press-fit bottom brackets, but its latest generation bikes, including the CAAD14 have returned to a BSA threaded bottom bracket, as also used by Specialized on the Allez Sprint. Both bikes have clearance for 32mm tyres, but no mudguard mounts.Cannondale claims a 9.3kg weight for the CAAD14 3 in size 56 as against the Allez Sprints 8.7kg claimed weight, also for a size 56, so theres a 600g weight advantage for the Specialized.Cannondale CAAD14 3 vs Specialized Allez Sprint geometryCAAD14Allez SprintFrame size5656Seat tube length580530Seat tube angle72.973.5Head tube length151153Head tube angle73.073.5Effective top tube length564563Bottom bracket drop6973Chainstay length415430Frame reach392398Frame stack560558Wheelbase9981006Trail5855Front centre593592While Cannondale has kept the geometry of the CAAD14 similar to the CAAD13, its lowered the frame stack, so that its more akin to the Allez Sprint. Its angles are still less sharp than the Allez Sprint though and its trail longer, which should lead to a slightly less edgy ride, although the bottom bracket drop isnt as great.Specializeds geometry comes from its Tarmac SL7, although its slightly adjusted the frame dimensions in the Tarmac SL8, so you can expect similar handling to the SL7, its former pro-level race bike.Cannondale CAAD14 3 vs Specialized Allez Sprint: Specs comparedSpecialized sells the Allez Sprint in the UK in just one build, the Allez Sprint Comp, and as a frameset, while in the US the Allez Sprint is sold frameset-only with no full builds. The frameset is priced at 1,499 / $1,899 / 1,649.Priced at 2,599 / 2,499 the Allez Sprint Comp has a Shimano 105 12-speed hydraulic disc brake groupset with a 52/36t crankset and an 11-34t cassette. The wheels have DT Swiss R470 rims and DT Swiss spokes built up on Specialized hubs. Theyre shod with 26mm Specialized Turbo Pro tyres.Cannondale has more options for the CAAD14. The 3 spec, which is most comparable to the Allez Sprint, is priced at 2,995 / $2,499 / 2,499 and comes with the same Shimano 105 groupset as the Allez Sprint, but in 50/34t, 11-34t configuration.Move up the range and the CAAD14 2 has a SRAM Rival AXS groupset and costs 4,250 / $3,999 / 3,999, while the CAAD14 1 has a SRAM Force XPLR AXS groupset, carbon wheels and a hefty 7,500 / $7,499 / 7,499 price. Theres a frameset-only option with a 1,750 / $1,799 / 1,799 price tag.Cannondale CAAD14 3 vs Specialized Allez Sprint: Which one should I buy?Cannondale claims a stiff, explosive ride with razor-sharp handling for the CAAD14, suggesting its gone for performance over endurance with the latest CAAD, going back more to the characteristics of the original CAAD series as a pro-level race bike. Weve yet to ride or review Cannondales latest CAAD.One word repeats in our review of the Specialized Allez Sprint and that word is stiff. Its a bike that is great for sprints and inherits its formidable handling characteristics from the Tarmac.We described it as firm but not unforgiving. Its a bike that does everything you want for races, while making use of the 32mm clearance to fit wider tyres might up the ride comfort for the non-racer.The CAAD14 3 is significantly more expensive than the Allez Sprint for a comparable spec, although theres less price differential for the frameset. Although its four years newer than the Specialized, the Allez Sprint still includes modern frame features and offers an eye-popping colour option as well as a more neutral one.The frameset-only option for both bikes suggests their other potential life as crit racers. Indeed, Cannondale mentioned the trend to make up its alloy frames with high spec components for crit racing when it launched the CAAD14. Alloy is a good choice for crit racing, as it may cope better with the rough and tumble than carbon, its cheaper and can stand the odd knock.Need more road bike buying advice? Dont miss our buyers guide to the best road bikesThe post Cannondale CAAD 14 vs Specialized Allez Sprint: Which is the best aluminium race bike? appeared first on Cyclist.