Denver Colorado’s, Alchemy Bicycle Company is no stranger to the world of cyclocross and gravel bikes. We reviewed the company’s Austin-built stainless steel cyclocross offering back in our Considering Custom series in our print issues. And we’ve seen pro riders on their Balius carbon cyclocross race bike as recently as this past season, a bike we first saw at NAHBS back in 2013.
The company is now fully based in Denver, and builds all its steel, titanium and carbon bikes in its mile-high facility. Alchemy had some impressive road and fat tire bikes on display at the 2016 NAHBS, but we were lucky enough to have an exclusive, closer look (and rides) with the company’s steel cyclocross/gravel offering, the Konis. With the Konis, Alchemy seeks to take classic cyclocross bike styling and make it both lighter and stiffer by using oversized, butted tubing.
The build of our test bike features a mechanical Shimano Ultegra 6800 drivetrain with Shimano’s R785 hydraulic disc brakes and RS685 levers. With this build, the Konis sells for $4,999, with Shimano’s Ultegra wheels.
Our tester came equipped with a wheel upgrade in the form of Rol Wheels’ C35 Disc carbon clinchers. Rol Wheels is Alchemy’s neighbor in Boulder and our tester came with the 1660 gram C35 wheels. With that addition the bike comes in at $5,749. Zach McDonald raced on ROL wheels this season as well as aboard an Alchemy frameset.
The Konis frameset retails for $2,599 with custom geometry starting at an additional $500. Custom paint begins at $750 and goes up from there based on the complexity of the paint scheme. Alchemy does all of their paint in house with their Ethic Paint Works studio. Our review bike seen here featured one of 14 stock paint colors, which is part of the standard price.
The Konis can be built specifically for Di2 or mechanical drivetrains without affecting price. Another option is Tim Allen’s signature SS Pegasus, which is a Konis without any cable stops or Di2 drilling.
The Konis we have on test should appeal to traditionalists in several aspects. First, it’s steel. Second, it’s handmade here in the USA. Third, it features quick release wheels. Fourth, it’s got a classy, single color, relatively understated paint scheme. Yes, it’s disc brakes, but it isn’t tied to any of the ever-changing thru axle configurations.
We’ll be doing an in depth interview of the bike in the magazine. Get your print or digital subscription now for less than a race entry fee.
Alchemy Bicycle Company’s Custom Steel Konis Cyclocross Bike Spec Highlights:
Frame: Alchemy Konis custom steel cyclocross
Fork: Enve CX Disc carbon
Crankset: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Shift/brake levers: Shimano RS685 mechanical shifting/hydraulic braking
Brake calipers: Shimano R785 hydraulic disc calipers
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Seatpost: Pro 7s
Saddle: Pro Turnix
Stem: Pro PLT carbon
Handlebars: Pro Vibe 7s
Wheels: ROL C35 Disc carbon clincher
Tires: Clement Crussade PDX
More info: alchemybicycle.com
Alchemy Konis handmade steel cyclocross / gravel bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
