Alchemy’s stainless steel creation stands out among the company’s many carbon framesJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
View from the frontJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The panels were painted to matach the gunmetal finish of the componentsJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Shimano’s first indexed downtube shiftersJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Brazed on guide for the front deraulleur cableJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Same 53/39 chainring combo upfront…Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
…but with five fewer cogs than the current Dura-Ace groupJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Xanthus Disc outfitted in Dura-Ace 9000Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Alchemy added extra material to the caliper mount to aid in heat dissapationJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Alchemy’s Xanthus now features shapped tubing that the company produces in-houseJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
We can’t help but think this top tube would look great the Alchemy’s next ‘cross frameJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Clean routing through the downtubeJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The downtube is ovalized at the bottom bracket to increase stiffnessJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Arion gets subtle changes to the layup schedule and the seat tube profileJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
There’s just a thin clearcoat over the nude carbon frameJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
In keeping with its aero profile the Arion’s shift cables and rear brake cables are internally routedJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Arion gets an updated seat tube shapeJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Alchemy plans to replace their aluminum dropouts with carbon ones now that it has the tools create them in-houseJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Say it with carbonJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Nichole Duke’s race bike was decked out in a fresh coat of paintJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Duke comes from a DH race background and asked for her bike to have a very stiff front end to aid her in pinning turns…Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
…and a more compliant rear to take the edge off rutted cyclocross coursesJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Not many custom bicycle companies have a talent pool deep enough to be able to build cutting edge carbon wonder bikes as well as classic steel frames bike with equal levels of mastery.
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Alchemy Bicycles can build your dream bike in carbon, titanium or steel. The Denver-based company has their full range of abilities on display at NAHBS this year.
View from the front:Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Steel still an option for Alchemy
Steel was the company’s material of choice when it first opened its doors in 2008. Since then titanium, and now carbon, have become more prevalent. Approximately 90 percent of Alchemy’s order are for their carbon offerings. “People associate us with carbon bikes now,” said Simpson. “We wanted to remind people that we also work in steel.”
Alchemy’s head welder worked for Serotta for 10 years before joining the company and, as this classic tig-welded frame demonstrates, he can certainly wield a torch. Alchemy acquired a full new-old-stock Dura-Ace 7400 group to complete this classic look.
“Our in-house painter color mixed the panels to match the look of the vintage component group,” added Simpson.
Shimano’s first indexed downtube shifters:Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Xanthus gets a makeover
We recently visited Alchemy’s workshop to give readers a sneak peak at some of the bikes the company was building for the show. At the time of our visit, two of Alchemy’s new frames were masked off and receiving coats of paint.
Beneath the tape were two new versions of Alchemy’s Xanthus road frame. The first is a disc-specific version the Xanthus. It is constructed similar to the current Xanthus, with round tubing supplied by Enve Composites.
The xanthus disc outfitted in dura-ace 9000: the xanthus disc outfitted in dura-ace 9000Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The second version of the Xanthus takes advantage of Alchemy’s recent investment in a CNC machine and hydraulic press, which allow the company to create their own molds and tubing in-house. “It’s kind of a combination of the round-tubed Xanthus and the aero Arion,” said Simpson.
Alchemy’s xanthus now features shapped tubing that the company produces in-house: alchemy’s xanthus now features shapped tubing that the company produces in-houseJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
New tube profiles on the updated Xanthus
The top tube is flattened on top and round on the bottom, with a sublt arc from the head tube to the seat tube. We couldn’t help but think it would look fitting on a ‘cross bike. According the Simpson, we may see a similar tube profiles in an updated Balius cyclocross frame later this year.
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Pricing is yet to be determined. Alchemy expects to be delivering both versions of the Xanthus this spring.
