Colorado-based Alchemy bikes has an updated version of their Arktos carbon frame. The new bikes will be available in three travel options and a mix of wheel sizes. Shorter travel rigs will roll on 29″ wheels with 120mm of suspension and a 130mm fork. Mid travel bikes bump up the travel significantly, to a 135mm rear axle path and 150mm stanchions with 29″ or mixed-wheel traction. The longest travel bikes are also available in either wheel configuration, with 150mm of travel behind a 170mm fork.
The bikes can be ordered with a wide range of build options, painted in one of four color combinations, and pricing starts at $5,499. That retail tag includes a lifetime frame warranty, so folks will be able to push the Arktos as hard as they like without much concern for its durability.
135mm x 29er 
120mm x 29er
Arktos frames use a dual-link suspension platform called Sine. According to Alchemy engineer Matt Maczuzak, “We are now on the third refinement of our patented Sine Suspension system, and the ride-quality for both climbing and descending continues to improve. Alchemy racers Evan Geankoplis and Todd Renwick will be competing on the Arktos in 2021. From professional racers to enthusiasts, we think you’re going to love this ride.”
Here are the geometry tables for all five possible wheel and travel combinations.
To summarize, the seat tube looks steep enough to create a comfortable climbing position, with an appropriately slack head tube lean for losing elevation. Reach measurements are on par with what we’re seeing on similar bikes, and the seat tubes are chopped short enough that some riders will be able to size up if they prefer a longer bike. The bikes do depart somewhat from the growing trend of size-specific chainstays that balance each frame as the front triangle grows. With a 437mm rear-to-center measurement regardless of wheel or frame size, some taller riders might want to consider how the back end will feel at speed.
The Alchemy website notes that “three different travel configurations [are] possible with one frame.” All configurations use the same frame, and simply swap in a different fork and shock, along with a short, medium, or long shock extender.
Head over to Alchemy Bicycles for more info.
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Mar 2, 2021