If you hadn’t heard already, the 2017 North American Handmade Bike Show (NAHBS) is being held this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. With loads of custom bike builders set to show off their gorgeous works of art, the show serves to be the ultimate bikeporn fest for those who appreciate the finer details of bespoke two-wheeled machines.
While there’s sure to be many new bikes and components being given the spotlight during NAHBS, we’ve gotten the jump on one brand and it’s brand new gravel/adventure bike. Called the Kratos, this lovely looking thing from Colorado-based Alchemy Bicycle features titanium tubing, huge 700c tyre clearance, and geometry that’s ideal for all-day riding. While the frame is primarily designed around an ENVE CX fork, this particular prototype is sporting a rather interesting fork…
This particular bike belongs to Logan VonBokel, who runs PR for Alchemy, alongside other brands such as Praxis Works and Ergon. Alchemy will offer stock builds for the new Kratos gravel bike, but VonBokel wanted to build a more unique showstopper – and chances are this machine will gather a considerable amount of attention.
Before going into details of the build, lets get the word straight from Alchemy about the brand new Kratos;
Suspension and drop bars – a combination we’re expecting to see a lot more of in the near future…
Press Release
“The adventure worthy Kratos is Alchemy’s newest platform. It boasts massive 700c tires, bottle cages strategically placed to accommodate half-frame bags and titanium tubing hand-selected for the long haul. Kratos is purpose-built for variable terrain including gravel, brevets and endurance riding.
Inspiration for Kratos sprung from Alchemy riders desiring more range and versatility from the Chiron cyclocross platform. Retaining handling and ride characteristics demanded by the Alchemy consumer, Kratos incorporates leading edge geometry ideally suited for big days on the saddle on the road, trail, and remote access routes.
Titanium tubing delivers a smooth and predictable ride while still offering point and shoot handling with the stock Enve CX flat mount fork augmenting the stiff front-end. (The Fox fork on the model in photos is 32 Step Cast 27.5” chassis that has been cut down for this application.)
Available as a stock-only offering, the Kratos is also available in 14 different colors from Ethic Paint Works.
Kratos Specifications
- Frameset cost: $3,999 USD
- MADE IN THE USA (Denver, Colorado)
- Size-specific titanium tubes
- 45mm tire clearance
- Flat mount, thru-axle rear dropouts
- 31.6mm seatpost offering a large diameter surface for securing heavy seat bags
- 14 Ethic Paint Works color options
- ENVE CX Flat Mount Fork
- Electronic and mechanical shifting friendly
- Internal brake routing available
- Rack mountsand third bottle cage options
*End of press release*
If you’re heading to NAHBS this weekend, you’ll be able to see the new Kratos in the flesh, and Alchemy will also have two new road models on show also.
For more information on Alchemy, head to the Alchemy.bike website.
