Resplendent in jeggings, former 2014 Singlespeed National Champion Tim Allen from Feedback Sports took to to the line in the Men's Singlespeed race at the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. While he was unable to take the title ahead of Tristan Uhl, he put on a great show and balanced the zaniness that can be singlespeed cyclocross racing and the skill it takes to earn the silver medal.
Allen said the race was "brutal" when we spoke to him afterwards. "I wanted to win today," Allen added. "I didn't have the legs and I think I was under geared actually and I was spun out on the start."
"The downhill was rad. It was super technical, lined with fans, it was ripping. I felt like I was in a qualifier for Helltrack, ripping like Cru Jones," Allen said when asked what he thought of the course.
Today we're looking at Allen's bike. Unlike Uhl's mostly stock Giant, or the bike Allen rode for 2015, Allen's 2016 ride is decidedly a custom affair, further differentiated from most bikes seen at Nationals by the fact that it is steel.
You can see all of our bike profiles from the 2016 Nationals here.
Tim Allen's silver-medal winning custom steel Alchemy singlespeed bike. 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © R. Riott/Cyclocross Magazine
The Alchemy Pegasus is a custom steel offering from the Colorado-based builder mated to a carbon Enve fork. Allen's bike features a quote from hiphop group Atmosphere on the seatstay that reads, "Not every pony grows up to be a pegasus." In Allen's case, he was flying. The Pegasus is actually just a variation on Alchemy's $2599 Konis frameset, just without derailleur cable stops or Di2 holes. The company offers custom geometry for $500.
Enve keeps Allen rolling with their Twenty9 XC carbon wheels, which we saw on a number of bikes at nationals, laced to Industry Nine hubs and wrapped in Clement PDX tires.
Allen runs a Shimano crank mated to a Spot chainring as well as Crank Bros Candy 3 pedals. 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © R. Riott/Cyclocross Magazine
For the limited drivetrain, Allen ran a 36 tooth Spot Brand ring hung on what appear to be Shimano CX70 crankarms and a 19 tooth Niner Cogalicious singlespeed cog out back. As Allen mentioned in his post-race interview, the gear may have been a little short for the race's blistering pace. For reference, Allen used a 36x17 on his Foundry to win Nationals in 2014.
Allen raced aboard Clement's PDX tire, a popular choice championship week. 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © R. Riott/Cyclocross Magazine
Allen was perched atop a Fizik Alliante saddle bolted to a Thompson Masterpice post and used PRO's Vibe bars and stem to pilot his Alchemy around the Biltmore Estate. When he did need to feather speed, TRP's Hylex hydraulics we're up to the task.
All smiles. Tim Allen on the Ingles Heckle Hill. 2016 National Championships. © R. Riott / Cyclocross Magazine
There's little doubt that the Men's Singlespeed race was a highly-anticipated affair. There were 152 riders on the start line and countless fans lined the course's most prominent features as the weather warmed and the race heated up. For his part, Allen gave the fans something to cheer for. And his bike was up to the challenge Allen took on.
Photo gallery below the bike specs. See the growing list of 2016 Nationals-winning bike profiles here.
Tim Allen's Men's Singlespeed Silver Medal-Winning Custom Steel Alchemy Spec Highlights:
Frame: Custom Steel Alchemy Pegasus
Fork: Enve carbon, tapered steerer, quick release
Brake Levers: TRP Hylex
Brake Calipers: TRP Hylex
Rear Derailleur: n/a
Front Derailleur: n/a
Cassette: Niner Cogalicious 19t single cog
Crankset: Shimano CX70 arms with Spot Brand single ring, 36t
Seatpost: Thompson Masterpiece
Saddle: Fizik Alliante
Stem: Pro Vibe
Handlebars: Pro Vibe
Pedals: Crank Brothers Candy 3
Wheels: Enve Twenty9 XC carbon rims, Industry Nine hubs
Tires: Clement PDX
More info: http://www.alchemybicycles.com
Tim Allen's Men's Singlespeed Silver Medal-Winning Custom Steel Alchemy Photo Gallery:
Another look at Allen’s bottom bracket solution. 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © R. Riott/Cyclocross Magazine
