Comprehensive Alchemy Chiron Review (Best Titanium Gravel Bike?)

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Ben Jones

Other, Road bikes

Updated:

Disclosure: I may receive referral fees from purchases made through links on BicycleVolt. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But I always stand by my opinions and recommendations.

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.

If you can’t wait and need to dive in and get customizing your Chiron, click here to go to Alchemy Bicycles and start building your dream bike


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.

SpecificationGeometry
SpecificationGeometry
Chiron Ultegra Di2 – Alchemy Bicycles
  • Bar = Zipp Service Corse
  • Bar Tape = Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Black
  • Stem = Zipp Service Corse
  • Seatpost = Zipp Service Corse
  • Headset = Cane Creek 40-Series IS42/IS47
  • Saddle = Fizik Antares R7
  • Shifters = Shimano Ultegra Di2
  • Front Derailleur = Shimano Ultegra
  • Rear Derailleur = Shimano Ultegra SS Di2
  • Cassette = Shimano Ultegra
  • Cranks = Shimano Ultegra
  • Bottom Bracket = Shimano BBR60 Threaded
  • Chain = Shimano HG-701
  • Brakes = Shimano Ultegra
  • Rotor = Shimano RT800 140mm
  • Wheels = HED Ardennes Disc Brake
  • Tires = Teravail Cannonball–700×35 tubeless

Chiron Ultegra Di2 – Alchemy Bicycles

Component

52

54

56

58

61

Seat Tube Length C-T

475

525

550

565

580

Effective Top Tube

530

549

563

575

601

Head Tube Length

135

155

175

195

215

Head Tube Angle

71.8

72

72.5

72.5

73.2

Frame Stack

552

570

592

610

634

Frame Reach

372

383

388

391

406

Seat Tube Angle

74

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.8

Chain Stay Length

421

421

421

421

421

Bottom Bracket Drop

74

74

74

74

74

Trail

64

63

59

59

55

Wheelbase

990

1000

1010

1030

1030

Front Center

585

600

605

615

630

Standover

760

790

815

830

850


SpecificationGeometry
Chiron Ultegra Di2 Enve – Alchemy Bicycles
  • Bar = ENVE Road Compact
  • Bar Tape = Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Black
  • Stem = ENVE Road
  • Seatpost = ENVE Road
  • Headset = Cane Creek 40-Series IS42/IS47
  • Saddle = Fizik Antares R7
  • Shifters = Shimano Ultegra
  • Front Derailleur = Shimano Ultegra
  • Rear Derailleur = Shimano Ultegra SS
  • Cassette = Shimano Ultegra
  • Cranks = Shimano Ultegra
  • Bottom Bracket = Shimano BBR60 Threaded
  • Chain = Shimano HG-701
  • Brakes = Shimano Ultegra
  • Rotor = Shimano RT800 140mm
  • Wheels = ENVE 3.4 SES Disc
  • Tires = Teravail Cannonball–700×35 tubeless

Chiron Ultegra Di2 Enve – Alchemy Bicycles

Component

52

54

56

58

61

Seat Tube Length C-T

475

525

550

565

580

Effective Top Tube

530

549

563

575

601

Head Tube Length

135

155

175

195

215

Head Tube Angle

71.8

72

72.5

72.5

73.2

Frame Stack

552

570

592

610

634

Frame Reach

372

383

388

391

406

Seat Tube Angle

74

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.8

Chain Stay Length

421

421

421

421

421

Bottom Bracket Drop

74

74

74

74

74

Trail

64

63

59

59

55

Wheelbase

990

1000

1010

1030

1030

Front Center

585

600

605

615

630

Standover

760

790

815

830

850


SpecificationGeometry
Chiron Ultegra Mechanical Disc Enve – Alchemy Bicycles
  • Bar = ENVE Road Compact
  • Bar Tape = Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Black
  • Stem = ENVE Road
  • Seatpost = ENVE Road
  • Headset = Cane Creek 40-Series IS42/IS47
  • Saddle = Fizik Antares R7
  • Shifters = Shimano Ultegra Di2
  • Front Derailleur = Shimano Ultegra
  • Rear Derailleur = Shimano Ultegra SS Di2
  • Cassette = Shimano Ultegra
  • Cranks = Shimano Ultegra
  • Bottom Bracket = SShimano BBR60 Threaded
  • Chain = Shimano HG-701
  • Brakes = Shimano Ultegra
  • Rotor = Shimano RT800 140mm/td>
  • Wheels = ENVE 3.4 SES Disc
  • Tires = Teravail Cannonball–700×35 tubeless

Chiron Ultegra Mechanical Disc Enve – Alchemy Bicycles

Component

52

54

56

58

61

Seat Tube Length C-T

475

525

550

565

580

Effective Top Tube

530

549

563

575

601

Head Tube Length

135

155

175

195

215

Head Tube Angle

71.8

72

72.5

72.5

73.2

Frame Stack

552

570

592

610

634

Frame Reach

372

383

388

391

406

Seat Tube Angle

74

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.8

Chain Stay Length

421

421

421

421

421

Bottom Bracket Drop

74

74

74

74

74

Trail

64

63

59

59

55

Wheelbase

990

1000

1010

1030

1030

Front Center

585

600

605

615

630

Standover

760

790

815

830

850


SpecificationGeometry
Chiron Force ETap AXS Enve – Alchemy Bicycles
  • Bar = ENVE Road Compact
  • Bar Tape = Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Black
  • Stem = ENVE Road
  • Seatpost = ENVE Road
  • Headset = Cane Creek 40-Series IS42/IS47
  • Saddle = Fizik Antares R7
  • Shifters = SRAM Force Etap AXS
  • Front Derailleur = SRAM Force Etap AXS
  • Rear Derailleur = SRAM Force Red Etap AXS
  • Cassette = SRAM Force AXS
  • Cranks = SRAM Force AXS
  • Bottom Bracket = SRAM DUB Threaded
  • Chain = SRAM Force AXS
  • Brakes = SRAM Force AXS eTap
  • Rotor = SRAM CenterLine 140mm
  • Wheels = ENVE 3.4 SES Disc
  • Tires = Teravail Cannonball–700×35 tubeless

Chiron Force ETap AXS Enve – Alchemy Bicycles

Component

52

54

56

58

61

Seat Tube Length C-T

475

525

550

565

580

Effective Top Tube

530

549

563

575

601

Head Tube Length

135

155

175

195

215

Head Tube Angle

71.8

72

72.5

72.5

73.2

Frame Stack

552

570

592

610

634

Frame Reach

372

383

388

391

406

Seat Tube Angle

74

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.8

Chain Stay Length

421

421

421

421

421

Bottom Bracket Drop

74

74

74

74

74

Trail

64

63

59

59

55

Wheelbase

990

1000

1010

1030

1030

Front Center

585

600

605

615

630

Standover

760

790

815

830

850


SpecificationGeometry
Chiron Dura Ace Di2 Enve – Alchemy Bicycles
  • Bar = ENVE Road Compact
  • Bar Tape = Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Black
  • Stem = ENVE Road
  • Seatpost = ENVE Road
  • Headset = Cane Creek 40-Series IS42/IS47
  • Saddle = Fizik Antares R7
  • Shifters = Shimano Dura Ace Di2
  • Front Derailleur = Shimano Dura Ace Di2
  • Rear Derailleur = Shimano Dura Ace Di2 Shadow
  • Cassette = Shimano Dura Ace
  • Cranks = Shimano Dura Ace
  • Bottom Bracket = Shimano BBR910 Threaded
  • Chain = Shimano HG-901
  • Brakes = Shimano Dura Ace
  • Rotor = Shimano RT900 140R/160F
  • Wheels = ENVE 3.4 SES Disc
  • Tires = Teravail Cannonball–700×35 tubeless

Chiron Dura Ace Di2 Enve – Alchemy Bicycles

Component

52

54

56

58

61

Seat Tube Length C-T

475

525

550

565

580

Effective Top Tube

530

549

563

575

601

Head Tube Length

135

155

175

195

215

Head Tube Angle

71.8

72

72.5

72.5

73.2

Frame Stack

552

570

592

610

634

Frame Reach

372

383

388

391

406

Seat Tube Angle

74

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.8

Chain Stay Length

421

421

421

421

421

Bottom Bracket Drop

74

74

74

74

74

Trail

64

63

59

59

55

Wheelbase

990

1000

1010

1030

1030

Front Center

585

600

605

615

630

Standover

760

790

815

830

850


SpecificationGeometry
Chiron Red ETap AXS Enve – Alchemy Bicycles
  • Bar = ENVE Road Compact
  • Bar Tape = Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky Black
  • Stem = ENVE Road
  • Seatpost = ENVE Road
  • Headset = Cane Creek 40-Series IS42/IS47
  • Saddle = Fizik Antares R7
  • Shifters = SRAM Red Etap AXS
  • Front Derailleur = SRAM Red Etap AXS 1
  • Rear Derailleur = SRAM Red Etap AXS
  • Cassette = SRAM Red AXS
  • Cranks = SRAM Red AXS
  • Bottom Bracket = SRAM DUB Threaded
  • Chain = SRAM Red AXS
  • Brakes = SRAM Red AXS eTap
  • Rotor = SRAM CenterLine 140mm
  • Wheels = ENVE 3.4 SES Disc
  • Tires = Teravail Cannonball–700×35 tubeless

Chiron Red ETap AXS Enve – Alchemy Bicycles

Component

52

54

56

58

61

Seat Tube Length C-T

475

525

550

565

580

Effective Top Tube

530

549

563

575

601

Head Tube Length

135

155

175

195

215

Head Tube Angle

71.8

72

72.5

72.5

73.2

Frame Stack

552

570

592

610

634

Frame Reach

372

383

388

391

406

Seat Tube Angle

74

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.8

Chain Stay Length

421

421

421

421

421

Bottom Bracket Drop

74

74

74

74

74

Trail

64

63

59

59

55

Wheelbase

990

1000

1010

1030

1030

Front Center

585

600

605

615

630

Standover

760

790

815

830

850



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.

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.

Pros

  • Create the bike of your dreams
  • Totally customizable geometry
  • Pick your perfect paint finish
  • Incredible attention to detail

Cons

  • This is not a ‘budget bike’

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

Have fun and enjoy the ride.