Alchemy Argos Hardtail

Alchemy Argos Hardtail

The Alchemy Argos Hardtail is for riders like me. You can call me old school because I prefer a bike that steers. One that you can feel too. A titanium frame sends vibrations through the tubes to your hands and feet. It puts you in contact with the trail.

Alchemy Argos Hardtail
Alchemy Argos Hardtail in a burn scar.

Different than a bike that rides like a sled on a roller coaster. A handful of us are on the single track with hardtails, like the Alchemy Ti Argos. Where the design trends have gone as slack as possible, we prefer the experience to the thrill.

Alchemy Argos Hardtail in Seattle on a rainy day.
Alchemy Argos Hardtail in Seattle on a rainy day.

Inspired by the Argos section of the Apex trail system in Golden, CO, the ti hardtail was shipped to me with an X01 build. As spec’d with a Fox Factory fork, dropper, and Industry Nine wheels, it costs $7200. Welded in the US from tubes also made in the USA, the s-curves on the stays offer snappiness and dampen rough sections of the trail. The frame has mounts for bikepacking. Each bend in the tubeset was designed to propel you forward. As is the progressive geometry.

Alchemy Argos Hardtail in Seattle on a rainy day.
Alchemy Argos Hardtail in Seattle on a rainy day.

Alchemy Argos Hardtail Go Anywhere Do Anything

It’s also reassuring to know whatever you encounter on the trail (like a burn scar) or how far out there you go, a bombproof frame like this will survive. Find the rest of the specs at Alchemy. They are a direct-to-consumer model with an authorized service center likely nearby.

Alchemy Argos Hardtail in Seattle on a rainy day.
The hardtail in Seattle on a rainy day.

The bike is one of those, I’m reluctant to send back. It may not rank first on the wishlist of enduro riders, but if you like climbing and descending alpine meadows like me, I’d highly recommend it.

For another Ti mountain bike, also see the Litespeed we wrote about earlier this year.

We're riding townies, adventure, and mountain bikes. Find recommendations on our store page. As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.