I didn't care much for the Allegro. The one I flew had a very stiff
rudder - so stiff that once you depressed a rudder pedal it stayed there
unless you pressed the opposite one to manually re-center the rudder.

Eh. Sounds as terrible as a Maule.

I wonder if it has ball bearing pulleys, and if there are any other places
that the friction could be reduced?

It seems like it could be, and needs to be improved, surely.
--
Jim in NC