Comprehensive Alchemy Chiron Review (Best Titanium Gravel Bike?)

When you set out in search of the world’s best titanium gravel bike, your journey will eventually lead to the doorstep of one of the finest Colorado bike manufacturers, Alchemy Bikes.

Alchemy Bicycles are one of a (very small handful of) boutique bicycle brands that will get you many admiring and (possibly covetous) looks on any starting grid.

The Alchemy Chiron is their flagship brand in the All-road Bikes category and proudly displays its best attributes, all of which hide the inner power that this gorgeous bike delivers. From the beautifully curvaceous seat and chainstays, that also smooth out the terrain and give clearance for wider tires, to the delightfully tapered top and down tubes that improve the stiffness of the titanium frame.

The frosting on the cake? Well, that has to be the hand-painted finish on the titanium bike frames. Alchemy’s in-house paint team, Ethic Paint Works, delivers the most stunning results to give you the bike of your dreams.

Do I like the Alchemy Chiron? Yes, I like it a lot. Is it the world’s best cyclocross bike? Quite possibly.

Let’s take a look at the details and see why.

---

The details

There are seven models in the Alchemy Chiron range, from the Ultegra Mechanical Disc to the Dura Ace Di2 Enve. There’s also the option to buy the frame only.

Below you’ll find the specs and standard geometry for each model – click through the tabs to see each one. When you’re looking at the geometry, keep in mind that you have the option to customize the sizing of any aspect. Obviously, there’s an add-on cost to this but, when you’re looking for the ultimate gravel bike, it’s worth going the extra step to get the perfect fit for you.

---

Review

Many times, the first thing that folk do when they buy themselves a new bike is to start looking for parts that they want to upgrade or bits that they want to customize. It feels like they’re never satisfied with what they’ve got.

To my mind, we all need to be a little more zen. In the words of the Dalai Lama, “Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, ‘Oh yes – I already have everything that I really need.’”

And, there’s an important link here with the Chiron because, with its 7 models, custom geometry, and hand-finished paint job, it literally is everything that you need. In fact, there’s really only one ‘add-on’ that I’d recommend and that’s a wall-mount rack. That way you can hang it in pride-of-place in your living room. Possibly meditating in front of it.

I’m a huge fan of titanium for bikes and the expert team at Alchemy has turned it into a work of art. And it’s a work of art that performs superbly whether it be for cyclocross or gravel. The Chiron is the thoroughbred of the bike world, delivering incredible performance in any event and leaving you with a huge grin on your mud-splattered face.

Let’s talk about that titanium for a moment. Alchemy has been producing titanium frames from their inception, so they’re well-versed in using it to produce an eye-wateringly great frame. Each of the frame sections is cut, hand-welded, hand-finished, and hand-painted. It’s that amazing level of attention to the details that is behind the sheer joy that it is to behold a Chiron. These guys are proud of what they do and it shows.

With such attention to the smallest details, it’s no surprise that there are features that really catch the eye on the frame. The S bends on the seat stays and chainstays – giving clearance for wider tires (up to 38c). The downtube which flares (and literally flows) down into the bottom bracket – gorgeous AND practical as it delivers a bike that is responsible and fast, whilst being comfortable and able to deal with whatever the terrain throws your way.

There aren’t many bike manufacturers in the world who offer custom painting on their bikes, but Alchemy is one of them. And they can do that thanks to their integrated finishing team, Ethic Paint Works. If you thought their frame building team was obsessive about getting the details right, you should see what their finishers can do. Taking a color palette with millions of options and letting you use them in whatever combinations you want to create the bike of your dreams.

Now that bike-of-your-dreams is even more affordable. Alchemy has teamed up with partner Bread to offer financing options and allow for you to pay for your bike over time. Check out the details at Alchemy here.

---

Conclusion

When you want the best of the best gravel bikes, then look to one of the brightest names in the bike business from Colorado.

The levels of care and attention that go into all aspects of creating the Chiron are truly incredible. From the titanium used to create the tubing. To the hand-cut, hand-welded frames. Right down to the no-decals-here hand painting from your choice of a million color options.

Alchemy makes incredible bikes. The seven Chiron models are all amazing.

Are they the world’s best titanium gravel bike? Yes, I would 110% say they are.

For more info head over to Alchemy Bikes and build your dream bike

Have fun and enjoy the ride.