Allied Cycle Works – the renowned US carbon fibre road bike builders – travelled to the Bespoked show in Bristol last week to showcase their newest line of drop-dead gorgeous road machines.
The Alfa Reborn
Founded in 2016 by Tony Karklins, former CEO of Orbea USA, Allied Cycle Works is a bike manufacturer that specialises in all things carbon, with a bit of glitz and glam for good measure.
The US-based brand’s first ever project was the Alfa, a rigid road machine that boasted an impressive monocoque carbon frame weighing in at a low 875 grams. The bike was a pure racer equipped with the top Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace specs to give it an extra dose of precision and speed.
With looks to match its impressive build and top-of-the-range components, it comes as no surprise to find that Allied Cycle Works has since boomed in popularity – expanding their range to three models, including a multi-terrain bike and disc brake alternative to the original Alfa.
The newest additions to the Allied arsenal were displayed, much to everyone’s pleasure, at the recent Bespoked show in Bristol:
Alfa Race Disc
The original Alfa can now be found kitted out with improved stopping power – the Alfa Race Disc edition, boasting a Campagnolo hydro groupset and disc brakes. A custom Fizik Antares saddle also adorns the bike, and a carved black walnut head spacer completes the mouth-watering aesthetic.
The blend of British racing green with a translucent emerald finish revives a design that had almost been lost to history; the leather-esque bars and saddle complementing the traditional colour scheme on an otherwise thoroughly modern bike build.
Alfa Allroad
Channelling their bike building talent and aesthetic eye into the ‘multi-surface’ bike market, Allied have created a fierce competitor in the Alfa Allroad. At heart, the Allroad is a high-performance road bike, but it’s slacker frame angles and clearance to fit up to 38mm tyres sure makes it a challenger when compared to the fastest gravel and adventure bikes.
Not Just a Pretty Face
Since their inception in 2016, Allied Cycle Works have become somewhat synonymous with style, elegance and just general damn beauty. However, once you’ve wiped up the initial mouth drool upon seeing their bikes, a wealth of smaller features become apparent that make you fall in love all over again.
Appearance isn’t everything, right? Everyone knows that the most successful relationships are built on a harmonious synchronisation between both parties. The Alfa and its siblings have been known to provide such deep and meaningful connections, as attested by some of Allied Cycle’s enamoured customers:
Nick Schott writes, the “ride was fast, stiff and smooth, shifts like a dream,†with Lisa Eriksson experiencing similar speedy performances from her new bike, “It’s a fast weapon for sure! I raced it the first time this Wednesday on a hilly circuit race and it’s so damn fast and light!â€
Other customers pride comfort over speed, but also have nothing but flattery for Allied Cycle Works. Ray Acosta said, “This bike is stiff, but comfortable. Excellent on the climbs and responsive on the downhills and turns. So far I’m glad I didn’t get a Canyon Ultimate.â€
Spokes apart
Despite having roots in big bike manufacturer Orbea, Allied Cycle Works has built a company, and loyal following, like no other. Manufactured entirely by themselves, Allied have built a tight-knit group of designers, engineers and artisan production specialists who together focus on spearheading a ‘breakaway’ brand, away from the mainstream industry.
The founder and managing director, Tony Karklins, sums up the company’s ethos in one perfect quote: “Why manufacture bicycles yourselves? Why not just make them in Asia like everyone else? My official answer [to those questions] is: it is the right thing to do.â€
Homegrown in the US, Allied Cycle Works continue to gain notoriety in the world of custom carbon fibre road bikes – their deviation from the mainstream “sea of sameness†something that we can all, as bicycle lovers, buy into. For more info on how to get hold of one of these beauties for yourself, our instore sales team should be your first port of call. You won’t regret it!
