Today, Allied Cycle Works is launching the all-new FITZ, a 140/140mm full-suspension model, marking the growing brand’s first entry into the trail bike market. Following the success of the XC-focused BC 40, Allied steps into a new category with the FITZ, calling it “a shockingly light, backcountry-focused platform that blurs the line between XC efficiency and true trail capability.” In a world where most trail bikes are above the 30 pound mark, it appears that Allied intends for the FITZ to bring lightweight back to the trail bike category.
“Trail bikes have become bloated over the past decade. FITZ was born from the idea that a trail bike doesn’t need to be heavy to be capable. We wanted something we could pedal all day into the backcountry, then point downhill and fully trust when the trail turns rough.” -Sam Pickman, Director of Product and Engineering at Allied Cycle Works.
Allied FITZ Details
The FITZ joins the Allied lineup alongside the XC-focused BC 40 as only the brand’s second mountain bike model. Allied’s goal with this bike was to create a thoroughbred trail bike, and they designed the FITZ around 140mm of front and rear wheel travel and modern trail geometry. It gets its name from Fitz Mountain in Northwest Arkansas, which is home to one of the roughest trail segments in the area. We’re told it was designed to handle this type of challenging terrain while also being as light and efficient as possible for long days in the saddle.
Allied brings expertise and experience in lightweight carbon frame manufacturing from its gravel and XC frames to the FITZ. Last year, Allied moved the manufacturing of its frames to Asia to scale up production, but the design, engineering, testing, paint, assembly, and shipping all take place at the brand’s U.S. headquarters in Rogers, Arkansas, just outside of Bentonville. Allied still machines its own linkages and other parts in the U.S. as well.
Low weight was a clear priority with the FITZ, and to keep the weight of a 140mm trail bike down, the designers chose a four-bar Horst-Link suspension layout with a rocker link and a vertical shock for its “simplicity and lightweight performance.” It comes with a 140mm travel fork, but Allied says it’s compatible with 150mm forks. The design team also mentioned that rear wheel travel can be increased to 150mm with a longer-stroke shock.
The FITZ is designed around 29-inch wheels front and rear and has frame clearance for tires up to 2.6” wide. It comes with molded protection for the chainstay and downtube, plus a small flap covering the main pivot, and it has mounts for one water bottle on the downtube. An in-frame storage compartment provides additional tool/snack/gear storage, using the same unique magnetic door system as the most recent ABLE gravel bike.
Claimed weights are impressively low for a 140mm full-suspension bike, starting at 26 pounds for the XX SL build and increasing incrementally through the build options/price tiers. Frame weight is claimed at under 5.5 pounds, and just under 6 pounds with the Fox Float shock.
Allied FITZ Highlights:
- Weight starting as low as 26 lbs for top-tier XX SL complete build
- 140mm front / 140mm rear travel as stock, with compatibility for 150mm front / 150mm rear
- 29” wheels with clearance for up to 2.6” tires
- Long reach and a slack 64.5° head tube angle for confidence and stability
- 200mm + dropper post compatibility
- Magnetic in-frame storage, using the same proven system found on ABLE
- The FITZ will be available in two stock colors, with custom paint optional on all builds
Geometry
The Allied FITZ comes in four frame sizes, S-XL, and features an up-to-date trail bike geometry. Take a quick look at the chart below, and it’s clear that the designers checked the geometry boxes for a modern, all-around mountain bike. That starts with the 64.5-degree head tube angle and the 76.5-degree seat tube angle. Reach measurements appear to be relatively standard, increasing in 25mm increments, starting at 430mm on the small and maxing out at 505mm on the XL. Chainstay length is 440mm on all sizes.
Should riders choose to increase fork travel, rear wheel travel, or both, that will impact the geometry numbers slightly.
Allied FITZ: Builds and Pricing
The FITZ is being offered in three complete builds shown in detail below. Allied is also selling the FITZ frameset, which includes a Fox Float Factory Shock (210 x 50) and a Wolf Tooth Premium headset for $3,900. The frames are available in two stock paint options, which are pre-painted raw carbon and dove gray. Customers can also choose full custom paint, with lead time and prices varying depending on the complexity of the chosen finish. As with Allied’s other bikes, buyers can also choose between numerous upgrade options at checkout to customize the components on the build.
FITZ XX SL AXS Eagle Transmission: $11,400
- Fork: FOX Factory 36 SL GRIP X 140mm
- Shock: FOX Factory Float 2 POS
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX SL Transmission
- Cranks: SRAM XX SL
- Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate
- Wheels: IndustryNine Solix Trail Carbon CL XD
- Tires: Continental Magnotal 29″ X 2.4″
- Handlebar: Allied HB11 Riser
- Stem: Allied STO05 Duet Stem 50MM
- Seatpost: Reverb AXS 31.6 w/Pod Ultimate
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost TM Super Flow L3
FITZ XO AXS Eagle Transmission: $9,000
- Fork: FOX Factory 36 SL GRIP X 140mm
- Shock: FOX Factory Float 2 POS
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO Transmission
- Cranks: XO Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Motive Silver
- Wheels: Industry Nine 1/1 Trail S Carbon
- Tires: Continental Magnotal 29 X 2.4″
- Handlebar: OneUp Carbon 20mm rise
- Stem: OneUp
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper V3 210
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X
FITZ GX AXS Eagle Transmission: $6,900
- Fork: FOX Performance 36 SL GRIP 140mm
- Shock: FOX Performance Float 2 POS
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Transmission
- Cranks: SRAM GX Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Motive Bronze
- Wheels: Inudstry Nine 1/1 Trail S
- Tires: Continental Magnotal 29″ X 2.4″
- Handlebar: OneUp 20mm rise
- Stem: OneUp
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper V3 210
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X
Allied FITZ: Availability
The new Allied FITZ trail bike officially launches today. Head to the Allied Cycle Works website or your local Allied dealer to learn more or pick one up before the upcoming mountain bike season.
