Going 1x is so hot right now. But sometimes, front derailleurs are cool too. When Specialized launched their Allez DSW Sprint, they tried something new – a 1x specific road race frame. Built specifically with racing in mind, 1x groups like the SRAM Rival 1 made the concept of a 1x road bike that much more viable. After the initial launch of the x1 models, Specialized is launching a slightly revised version – the X2. It’s everything that made the X1 so desirable, but with the added benefit of being able to shift it into the little ring to limp home after a hard race…
Compared to the original X1 shown above, the X2 frame (top) sees only a slightly reworked seat tube with a front derailleur braze on and an additional internally routed derailleur cable line. Otherwise the frame is the same E5 Premium aluminum which uses their D’Aluisio Smartweld technology with a completely separate Sprint hydroformed tubeset than the Allez DSW. While the frame is built from aluminum for crit-race-durability, the frameset includes an integrated aero carbon seat post and an S-Works FACT carbon fork. Also included is a tapered headset and OSBB with adapter cups.
Available next Monday, the X2 version will initially be available only as a frame only and in the colorway shown at the top. Priced at $1100 for the frame set (same for the X1), pricing has come down from the $1350 when we first reported on the X1. Additional complete builds will be available later this summer with pricing and spec TBD.
