Alchemy Bikes Avis 186

My Arktos 140 arrived ready to ride. I just put the handlebars on, put Stans in the tires, and slapped on some pedals. Tubeless sealants comes in the box, so all you need is a dab of assembly grees for the pedal threads. Bike has been incredible. Arrived as ordered without any issues.

Invisible seller, zero issues. The part - derailleur hanger - arrived quickly.

Customer service was excellent and I love the bike

Most comfortable bike I have ever ridden!

My selection of Alchemy Bicycles were due to two factors. Their great reviews and the ability to visit the fabrication facility and have the fitting done along with in person discussions with the staff. Any questions or issues were handled on a timely basis by Ryan and Bryce.

Responsive and attentive customer service. Great product.

Alchemy was decent to work with, but was totally disappointed that the rear end suspension had problems within the first year of riding. Thought they should have replaced the bearings and hardware that was worn, but not the case. Sold the bike in a year and went with another brand.

I purchased the Alchemy Ronin Titanium about two years ago and after extensive use, I can honestly say I love it. My journey to finding the Ronin began with practical considerations—I started biking seriously in China and needed something versatile for both commuting and occasional off-road adventures in Colorado.

Initially, I owned a Montague Paratrooper for its foldability but I did not do so much mountain biking and I primarily used it for commuting anyway. Then I owned an old Giant OCR2 for its because I could get to work faster, but I missed the capability for off-road excursions. That's when I discovered gravel bikes and eventually settled on the Alchemy Ronin Ti after extensive research and testing.

Here are the reasons why I chose the Ronin Ti:

1)The name 'Ronin' holds sentimental value as it is also my son's name.

2)Crafted in Golden, Colorado, the bike's local production and quality craftsmanship were big selling points.

3)Visiting the factory and discussing customization options directly with Bryce ensured I got exactly what I wanted, down to the color scheme and components.

4)Despite delays due to COVID-19 supply chain issues, I appreciated the regular updates and understanding customer service throughout the waiting period.

What I love about the Alchemy Ronin Ti:

1)It is incredibly comfortable even on long rides—I once tackled 77 miles with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain without discomfort.

2)Switching between road and off-road riding is effortless with different wheel setups—I use Enve 4.5 SES with Conti GP5000s 32s for road and i9 AR 25 TRA with Schwalbe G-One RS 45s for off-road adventures.

3)Built from titanium, it's not just for me; it's a bike my son can enjoy for years to come.

4)The Di2 system has been flawless, enhancing the overall riding experience with its precision and reliability.

5)Its distinctive design earns admiration, particularly from fellow Coloradans and bike enthusiasts.

Modifications and Lessons Learned:

Upgrades: I've made some upgrades along the way, including a Specialized Romin Evo with Mirror saddle and premium components like a Chris King bottom bracket and Enve wheels. The saddle has made long rides so much more enjoyable. I cannot tell if the Chris King bottom bracket has made a difference. The Enve wheels are nice, but I mostly got them because they were on sale at the Pro's Closet.

Fit: A professional bike fitting significantly improved my comfort and performance, underscoring the importance of a tailored fit. I went to Pedal Fit a bit down the road from Alchemy. It is totally worth it. I cannot express how much it helps.

Things I Would Do Differently:

1)While the stock size fits well, I now wonder if a custom geometry would have further optimized my riding experience.

2)In hindsight, opting for a 1x drivetrain might have better suited my needs, especially for challenging climbs.

What I Did Not Like:

1) While my overall experience with the Alchemy Ronin Titanium has been overwhelmingly positive, there are a few aspects I wish were different. Foremost among these was the inability to test ride the bike before purchase. Understandably, Alchemy operates as a smaller, boutique shop, unlike larger manufacturers such as Trek or Giant. However, committing to a significant investment of around 10k without a test ride left me quite anxious for many nights leading up to the actual ride.
2) The demands of my work often restrict my riding time, which can be frustrating given my enthusiasm for cycling.

Future Considerations:

Looking ahead, my positive experience with the Alchemy Ronin Titanium has me seriously considering another purchase from Alchemy in about a year, this time for my wife. We're particularly interested in the Alchemy Lycos model, my experience and the customization aspect.

Overall, my experience with the Alchemy Ronin Titanium has been exceptionally positive. It's a bike that blends performance, comfort, and craftsmanship—a rare find that I'm proud to own and ride. In fact, I even got a tattoo of the Alchemy logo mixed with Shimano cranks.

Very happy with the bike quality and ease of getting it from the manufacturer. The whole process was smooth considering ordering online. There was some assembly required and I am happy to have a torque wrench to dial in the minimal assembly I needed to do. Would definetly recomment Alchemy Bikes to others.

They worked with me on delivery, while I was out of the country

The bike I ordered came out beautiful and my customer was very pleased as well.
If you are looking for a custom built bike I would recommend Alchemy.
Aloha!

From the date of the order to delivery, the communication was good. There were some slight changes and actually upgrades to my bike order. I think I made the mistake of ordering 42 cm handlebars when I really needed 44. Lesson learned. So if it service, they are pretty much Johnny on the spot. The bike itself has been amazing as I was able to keep up with a performance road team on a group ride riding the Alchemy, Lycos. I also did a gravel race in northern Wisconsin, and it was super stable and comfortable through all kinds of road surfaces.

Great price for what you get. Bikes work great for me, and service is very responsive if needed.

My bike was delivered quickly and well packaged. Quality was great. I was kept informed throughout the process. And the bike is fantastic.

Love the geometry of the bike! It climbs so nice for having that much suspension. The staff was Uber nice when I purchased it and there to help with any questions I had.

Great products, customer service, and communication.

Customer service and the sales process was amazing. Super responsive and answered all my questions.

Excellent build quality and components. Delivered when expected and a tremendous ride. Access to Alchemy techs is top notch, not that I've had to discuss any technical issues, other than ask for component recommendations.