Colorado-based handmade custom carbon fiber bicycle manufacturer Alchemy has just introduced their first e-bike, built off their Ronin gravel bike. The new e-Ronin uses the lightweight Fazua Evation mid-mount motor and battery system, which keeps the complete bike weight under 30 pounds.
The rest of the frame is carbon fiber, and it’s still handmade in Denver, CO. That means it’s not only the first US-made carbon e-gravel bike, it’s also available with full custom geometry and paint.
Alchemy e-Ronin e-gravel bike specs
The carbon frame mirrors much of the original Ronin’s shaping and features. Shy of the oversized downtube and BB junction, it looks just like their regular gravel bike. There are two water bottle bosses inside the front triangle, and bento-box mounts on the top tube.
The seatpost is 27.2, helping provide a bit more compliance. Max tire size is 700×45 or 650b x 2.1. Complete bike weight is claimed at 28lb (12.7kg), and it’ll set you back $6,499 for the frameset (including complete Fazua drive system). Go for a complete bike with Shimano GRX mechanical and it starts at $8,499 (or max it out with Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red AXS for $12,499).
The stock frame comes in two colorways, with stock 52/54/56/58/61 sizes available. Limited color and paint customization is included in the prices. Add $1,000 each for custom geometry and full custom paint. Just FYI, these prices are $2,000 more than the standard Ronin, so that’s what an e-bike system adds (in this case, anyway).
Why an e-gravel bike? Why Fazua?
Alchemy’s Matt Maczuzak says he wanted this bike to allow him to explore farther, hitting the gravel roads that sit outside Denver’s ever growing metropolis. Their headquarters sits along the Cherry Creek bike path, which connects to many miles of great paths heading into and out of town. Which is awesome, but it means a lot of miles before getting to the good stuff, too.
Matt said this gives him more range, and when the assist isn’t needed (or the battery runs out), there’s zero drag on the system from the motor. Same for when you exceed the maximum assist speed. And if you need or want a regular ride, just leave the battery at home and you (mostly) have a regular gravel bike with only the small motor’s added weight.
They chose the Fazua Evation system because the complete kit adds just 4.6kg (10.14lb). Yes, adding 10 pounds to your bike sounds like a lot, but compared to most other drive systems, it’s quite light. Its form factor is also small, letting them easily build it into an almost-normal looking down tube…and keep the chainstays at the same 425mm as the standard Ronin. Despite similarities to that analog model, this bike was built from the ground around the Fazua Evation system.
It has 60NM torque and uses a 250WH battery. Three levels of assist let you balance power versus battery life, and the battery drops out completely when not needed. Or if you want to bring a spare.
What about riding without a battery?
The bikes ship with a tube-and-cap cover plate system, allowing the battery compartment to be used for storage and still look good. As in, there won’t be a gaping hole in the downtube if you’re riding sans battery. The battery-and-motor unit weighs 3.3kg (7.25lb), and the replacement cap-tube weighs about a pound. So riding without the battery and motor brings the bike down to an almost-normal 21-22lbs. The BB’s gear box remains in place, but they say there’s no noticeable drag.
