Denver, CO-based Alchemy Bicycle Co. has earned a reputation for building first in class cross, road and gravel bikes. In an approach that uses old-world craftsmanship and a wacky yet modern attention to detail and technology, Alchemy now pushes its handmade offerings to include an expansion into mountain-specific models.
In what they are calling “an expansion of our obsessive attention to detail,” the first Oros Hardtails to leave the Alchemy workspace and hit the dirt have done nothing but impress. The model was named a recipient of the “Best Carbon Layup” award at the 2015 North American Handmade Bicycle Show, where its race-proven geometry with 29 and 27.5-inch wheel offerings (for large, medium and small riders) was its most drool-worthy feature for mountain cyclists.
Designed around 100mm of travel up front, the Oros is tailored for the modern cross-country racer. It can be fitted with a single ring, double ring and even electronic drivetrains, due to a large removable cable and wire ports. Similar to Alchemy’s other stock frames, the Oros was built with a press fit BB86 bottom bracket. Along will all other Alchemy bikes, Oros are drafted, made, painted and finished at the company’s mile-high production facility.
In dual celebration, the group gets a new addition to its design and engineering team. Sotto Group’s Dave Earle, currently head of the Praxis Works bottom bracket and crankset company, joins the Alchemy rank and file. Earle is perhaps best known in the cycle community as the author of the Switch suspension system and the Praxis 10-speed wide range cassette.
Joining the Alchemy team as an exclusive engineering, design and suspension consultant, Earle brings more than two decades of bicycle engineering experience to the Alchemy team.
“Adding a brilliant engineer like Dave and the Sotto Group is as crazy as it sounds,” said Alchemy Owner and Founder Ryan Cannizzaro. “We consider the Oros a breakthrough, as well… but you haven’t seen anything yet.”