Depending on who you speak to, the Best Lugged Frame could be the award to win at a North American Handmade Bicycle Show. That’s because, for some, it’s all about the lugs. Mark Dinucci won the award in 2011. And if there’s one thing Mark DiNucci does well, it’s lugs.
That’s not all he does. Specialized Bicycle Components have come a long way since its founding in 1974 and to commemorate their 40th Anniversary last year, they brought Mark in, one of the fathers of their famous Allez road bikes, to create a marvellous reissue.
The Allez has been a mainstay of of the Specialized brand since the early eighties. It even made a movie debut, underneath Kevin Costner in American Flyers. Specialised, who are now one of the world’s largest bicycle brands behind Trek and Giant, went back to their roots and made seventy-four special edition Allez to be auctioned with all proceeds going to World Bicycle Relief.
One of them made their way into the hands of Byron Yu: “The classic look of a steel bike has always been enticing to me. When I found out Specialized was releasing a new steel Allez to commemorate their 40th anniversary, and it was limited to 74 frames, my interest was piqued.
“When I learned more about the designer, Mark Dinucci — his place in the pantheon of builders, and how the new guard like Sacha White and Chris Bishop look up to him — I knew I had to have one.
“It was sold on eBay for charity, and I was fortunate to get the last one in my size. At the end of the auction period only 34 ended up being sold and it was confirmed to me that they would only make the ones that were sold. The exclusive bike became even more exclusive.
“In real life the frame is even more beautiful. The lug work and build detail is striking and almost architectural. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I momentarily reconsidered my intention to make this my primary/daily bike.
“The Allez 74 is built up with a Dura-ace 9000 groupset, a Chris King headset, and a 3t LTD cockpit: Egronova handlebars, Arx stem, and Stylus 25 seat post. The leather handlebar tape and leather S-Works Toupe saddle is exclusive with the frame and not available anywhere else.
“A Spurcycle bell, a Edge-mount.bike computer mount, and titanium King Cage bottle cages round out the build. For the time being I have Shimano RS81 C24 wheels, but who knows what lies in the future.
“I’ve only recently got the bike and built it up in the past couple of days. The few rides I have taken are telling me that this is has the stiffness of a race bike, yet the compliance of steel. It’s delivered on its promise as a modern reinterpretation of steel. This is the bike I will ride every day.”
It’s good to know one of them has gone to an appreciative home. Mark DiNucci is still building frames, and you can contact him through the DiNucci Cycles website.
