Eric Rolf is the builder behind Alliance Bicycles out of Hailey, Idaho, who apprenticed with Carl Strong in Bozeman, Montana for two years. Rolf had a part in over 180 Strong frames during his apprenticeship while also building under his own brand, which Strong provided feedback on.
Now on his own as Alliance Bicycles, the gravel bike from Rolf we see here is a double butted titanium frame that weighs 3 pounds. For gravel bikes, Rolf believes in low bottom brackets and this one features an 80mm bottom bracket drop, even with 175mm cranks. The bottom bracket shell is also threaded.
The bike features thru axles front and rear with the Syntace X-12 system out back and an Enve GRD carbon fork up front. Enve also provides the stem, bar and seatpost as well as the wheels, which are shod in Schwalbe's new G-One tubeless gravel tire. The drivetrain is from Campagnolo with their Athena shifters and derailleurs paired with a Rotor 3D crankset and TRP Spyre SLC disc brakes. Other parts include a Chris King headset and bottom bracket and a carbon-railed Fizik saddle.
Pricing for a straight gauge titanium frame from Alliance runs $2750.oo usd, while a double butted ti frame is $3100.00 usd. Production time is 12 to 14 weeks.
More info: www.alliancebicycles.com
Specifications:
Frame: custom double butted titanium
Fork: Enve GRD Gravel Road Disc carbon thru axle
Headset: Chris King threadless
Bottom Bracket: Chris King threaded
Shifters: Campagnolo Athena
Derailleurs: Campagnolo Athena
Crankset: Rotor 3D
Brakes: TRP Spyre SLC
Handlebar: Enve carbon
Stem: Enve carbon
Saddle: Fizik carbon
Wheels: Enve Smart carbon clincher rims, DT Swiss 240 hubs
Tires: Schwalbe G-One tubeless
Pricing: straight gage titanium: $2750.oo usd, double butted ti frame: $3100.00 usd
Availability:12-14 weeks
Alliance Bicycles at NAHBS 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
