NAHBS 2013: Alchemy Bicycles

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Pricing is yet to be determined. Alchemy expects to be delivering both versions of the Xanthus this spring.