Arkansas-based Allied Cycle Works has announced a groundbreaking partnership with American cross-country mountain bike champion Kate Courtney and her She Sends Racing program. Courtney recently parted ways with the SCOTT-SRAM program, which she called home for the past six years. This new collaboration, however, hits a little closer to home and highlights Courtney’s mission-driven initiative to empower women and girls through mountain biking—while showcasing the Allied (and 100g lighter) BC40 mountain bike race machine.
Are Allied Bikes Still Made in the USA?
We contacted Allied and Drew Medlock, Allied Cycle Works CEO, for a statement after many comments on this piece to get the correct info.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to deliver higher quality products, improve availability, and move faster on product development, we have streamlined our in-house manufacturing processes on the updated BC40. While all development and testing remain in-house, we now partner with an external factory for the carbon layup of the BC40’s front and rear triangle. Each frame then undergoes a rigorous in-house quality inspection and paint preparation to ensure the highest standards. Finally, the frame is custom-painted and assembled to each customer’s unique order-just like every ALLIED always has been. We are confident this new process will result in a better product for the rider.”
Drew Medlock, Allied Cycle Works CEO
Kate Courtney Joins the Allied Family
Kate Courtney is a household name in cross-country mountain biking. She is the 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Champion, two-time U.S. XC National Champion, and Tokyo 2020 Olympian. Known for her historic 2018 World Championship gold (the first American Elite women’s win in 17 years), she embarks on a new chapter with Allied Cycle Works.
Courtney will race the 2025 season aboard the newly refined BC40 mountain bike. Courtneys program, She Sends Racing, ties into to the She Sends Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2023. Courtney’s schedule has not been released, but we expect a full roster of XCO racing, though the She Sends Racing is new to the World Cup scene. Courtney alone carries a impressive 1,474 UCI points and is currently ranked 9th in the world.
She Sends Racing Partners
Who else is Courtney partnering with for her She Sends Racing Program? She made an announcement two weeks ago that she is partnering with electric vehicle manufacture RIVAN – so that one we know for sure. In her photos, she sporting a full Rapha kit and RedBull helmet, so we can assume they are both in for the 2025 racing season. The tires look to be Schwalbe, which will be a new tire for Courtney who has ridden Maxxis previously under the SCOTT-SRAM banner the last six years. It will be interesting to see who else jumps on, and what her racing program will be this year.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Allied and race the updated BC40 this season. From the first test ride, I was blown away by its performance. It’s exciting to bring this American-made brand to the World Cup stage.” – Kate Courtney
The Updated Allied BC40
The BC40, Allied’s cross-country race bike, now features a 100-gram weight reduction. Where does the reduction come from? Allied told us it’s from an updated carbon layup and bottom bracket. We’re hoping to see one for ourself sometime soon and get the full lowdown.
To complement the BC40, Allied is also debuting its innovative DUET lightweight handlebar and stem system. Designed and manufactured in-house, the DUET cockpit combines weight savings and adjustability in a two-piece setup.
DUET Handlebar and Stem
The DUET system solves a longstanding challenge with traditional bar and stems clamps. Ones that require carbon handlebars to be overbuilt to endure clamping forces. Allied’s redesigned clamp system distributes forces more evenly, allowing for a lighter, more refined design without compromising strength. Unlike one-piece carbon bar/stem setups, this two piece system allows for adjustments for wrist angle and profile.
Key details include:
- DUET Handlebar: 780mm carbon bar, optimized for use with the DUET stem – 135g
- DUET Stem: CNC-machined aluminum stem – 64g (50mm)
- Integrated Computer Mount: 3g
- Total Weight: As low as 199g, lighter than most integrated systems while maintaining adjustability
- MSRP: USD 325
“We reimagined the handlebar and stem interface from the ground up. With real-time design iteration and in-house machining, we’ve developed a system that outperforms integrated setups while offering the flexibility of a two-piece design.” – Sam Pickman – Allied’s Director of Product and Engineering.
For more information on Kate Courtney, the updated BC40, and Allied’s DUET handlebar and stem system, visit alliedcycleworks.com.
