In a given year, few truly unique mountain bikes enter the market. The majority of the buzz around newly released bikes is often when major brands update a legacy model, and understandably so. Those models have storied histories and brand loyalists, and consumers are curious how said brand has steered the handlebars on the next generation. Lately, updates have been underwhelming and include only a suspension kinematics update, a slight tweak to geometry, and maybe a new swing arm to incorporate a universal derailleur hanger.
So what actually makes a new bike unique? For starters, manufacturing a full carbon bike inside of the United States is different. Few brands do so at the moment and though it is cost restrictive, the Arkansas-made Allied BC40 with its arrowhead-like stance, single pivot and flex stay suspension layout, and striking paint options really stands out.
The Allied BC40 launched just three months ago. Jeff Barber and I each had the chance to take this lightweight cross-country bike on its namesake trails, the Back 40, just north of Bentonville.
The BC40 frame weighs a scant 1,950g and it sells as a 120mm frame with a 120mm fork, but it can also be setup as a 100mm or 110mm frame by using a different shock. Allied chose a linkage-driven single pivot with flex stays because it keeps the frame lighter. Geometry highlights include a moderate reach, a 76° seat tube angle, a 66.5° head tube angle, 435mm chainstays, and a moderate wheelbase. The BC40 has room for a 29x.24″ tire in the rear.
Pricing on the bike isn’t cheap. Framesets are priced at $5,590 and complete Shimano XT builds start at $7,625, with completes topping out at a whopping $14,000 if you want a limited edition with SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, Roval wheels, and RockShox Ultimate suspension.
Jeff and I only got one ride on the BC40, but a combined 50 miles. When we got back to our respective homes, we talked about the BC40 over Google Chat.
Matt Miller
What were your thoughts when Allied said they were going to make their first MTB and make it in the US?
Jeff Barber
I guess I wasn’t surprised about the first part since they signed Payson earlier in the year. Making the bikes in the USA was a bit of a surprise though.
Matt Miller
Yeah…the Payson deal made much more sense after they said they were making an MTB. When he signed with them, I wondered…what is going to race on then since he mostly races mountain and marathon. And then Allied gave a coy response. The US manufacturing was surprising, because so few brands actually do it.
Jeff Barber
Right, especially surprising to be making carbon bikes here. It’s not like they’re building race bikes out of steel.
Matt Miller
Was the BC40 what you expected them to make? I had limited experience with Allied before, but they seemed to be in the same space as Open and Alchemy, or other really top-end gravel and road bikes.
Jeff Barber
The BC40 makes a lot of sense given their initial focus on the gravel and all-road space. Still, I’m not sure how to categorize it. What do you think, is it an XC race bike, or more downcountry?
Matt Miller
Good question…I mean it seems like a perfect fit for Payson, who is an XC marathon athlete. But it’s still 120mm, and XC race bikes still tend to have 100mm of travel in the rear. It kind of feels like an all-arounder XC bike for riders who might want to do the Breck Epic or something like that, but they can also ride it regularly at home without being outgunned.
Jeff Barber
That’s a good description. I mean XC marathon is a very specific type of racing, but I think the BC40 could be a good choice for a lot of riders who put themselves on that XC-trail spectrum and enjoy knocking out 20+ miles on a Saturday.
Matt Miller
Definitely. It moves FAST. Did you have any other thoughts or impressions when you saw the bikes at the Allied factory?
Jeff Barber
To be honest I hadn’t fully done my homework before our visit and didn’t realize they were doing EVERYTHING there, from carbon layup to painting and assembly. Like they’re literally taking delivery of rolls of carbon fiber in the front, and pushing complete bikes out the back door. What about you, was the factory everything you imagined?
Matt Miller
True. That’s really cool to see… and not common at all. There are two companies here in Denver that do it — Guerrilla Gravity and Alchemy, but Alchemy still produces their MTBs overseas, though they make carbon road and gravel bikes here. The Allied factory reminded me of those two, especially since I visited Alchemy recently.
Jeff Barber
Right, I’ve seen places like Ibis and Specialized where they do some prototyping and small batch stuff, but not full production of all sizes.
Matt Miller
I was gushing over the paint jobs though haha. The colors and combos look great and you can customize the — a nice touch on a bike that pricey.
Jeff Barber
Their paint is 💯. Seriously some of the best looking paint and they do so many color combos that look amazing. Impressive that they do it all themselves.
Matt Miller
Definitely. I think we ended up on the perfect ride with them too at the Back 40 trails on the Back 40 loop. Do you think the trails matched the bike?
Jeff Barber
For sure. The Back 40 trails involve a lot of pedaling, and the BC40 is super lightweight and efficient. Just the right amount of suspension to smooth out the rocks too. How did you like riding the BC40 on those trails following our day on eMTBs at Slaughter Pen?
Matt Miller
I think we were pretty well matched on both days, with a 140mm travel bike for Slaughter Pen, with more drops and jump lines, whereas the Back 40 trails are more natural and rolling. I think 120mm was perfect for Back 40 with it being more raw but still flowy.
Jeff Barber
By the end of what ended up being a long day of riding I wouldn’t have wanted a heavier bike at Back 40, that’s for sure.
Matt Miller
Not at all. I slightly regret wearing a full pack with a camera, but the bike still moved really quickly. I remember you saying early on you forgot you were on a full-suspension bike. I can’t remember the last time I rode a single pivot bike, and this was the first single pivot with flex stays for me, but it pedaled excellently.
Jeff Barber
Haha, riding with heavy camera gear left me a little saddle sore. For the first mile or two climbing out of Blowing Springs I honestly forgot the bike was FS. I’m used to riding hardtails so it just felt like that. Then once we picked up speed I was like, “oh yeah this is smooth!”
Going downhill you must’ve gotten a little rowdy when we descended the Go Ride trail because you burped the rear tire!
Matt Miller
Super efficient and still pretty progressive for a short travel bike.
Ha, yep. Maybe that was the extra weight being rough on the tires too, but I got comfortable with it as a descender really quickly. My favorite part of the ride was early on with the kickers and small table tops on a downhill and I didn’t feel shy on any of those DH features on that bike.
Except for that awkward up and over creek crossover on Ledges. But you nailed that.
Jeff Barber
“Nailed it” after a dozen failed attempts haha.
What did you think about the build we tested? Anything you would change?
Matt Miller
Haha, hey it might have been the 6th nail, but eventually you hammered it home.
We both agreed on tires. The Rekons are fast, and they never actually made me nervous on the trails there — they found purchase on corners with the bit of pea gravel, but here I’d swap the front for maybe a Dissector or DHRII. Something more square and knobby
Jeff Barber
Word. It was super dry there and I wanted something meatier, but still light and fast rolling. I’d throw a Minion SS on the front at least.
Matt Miller
Oh, and I would swap the front brakes, the SRAM G2 REs which faded a bit.
Did you like SRAM AXS?
Jeff Barber
I think mine had Code RSCs which felt great.
AXS shifting definitely took some getting used to and I kept shifting up when I wanted to go down and vice versa. I do like that it takes a bit less effort, but it also feels e-bikey to me, sorta like an assistance level controller. Then again, I guess that’s what gears do; they’re simple machines that make pedaling uphill easier. 🙂
Are you a fan of electronic shifting?
Matt Miller
The only differences I’ve really noticed are that it does feel slightly quicker to shift and the less maintenance part is appealing but then you’re charging one more part. I’d choose a purely mechanical build like the Shimano XT one they offer.
Jeff Barber
Do you think the BC40 would be a good bike for where you live in Colorado?
Matt Miller
For certain trails, definitely. I see the majority of people here going with a mid-travel bike because there just aren’t many…XC-like trails here. They are straight up and straight down with a lot of rocks. That said, some people here ride shorter travel bikes only and are endurance nuts and it would be a great bike for them because they’re not interested in riding bike parks or really technical trails anyway.
What about Georgia?
Jeff Barber
I think it’s a great fit for most of the trails here. Our terrain in the middle of the state is pretty similar to NW Arkansas, and most of our rides are pretty pedally. I think the small/indie brand vibe is also appealing, at least among the folks I ride with.
Matt Miller
Totally. You’re making a statement if you buy an Allied, I believe. It’s not a Giant or Santa Cruz. It’s 100% American made and you can personalize the colors.
Jeff Barber
Of course you pay for that privilege — those bikes aren’t cheap! But I understand why.
Matt Miller
No, not with a starting price of almost $8,000…I think that speaks to the manufacturing difference between the U.S. and overseas too, but that’s probably a conversation for a different day.
Any other thoughts on the bike? Would you buy one?
Jeff Barber
Realistically I don’t have a space in my quiver for an XC/downcountry bike, so I probably wouldn’t buy one. That being said, I loved riding the bike and for someone who is really focused on these marathon type rides, it seems tough to beat.
What about you?
Matt Miller
I would, for sure. My ideal quiver has been a 120/130mm bike for longer rides on certain trails and then a longer travel bike. I could see myself pounding out a lot of miles on that bike and having fun at the same time.
Jeff Barber
Oh I forgot you still don’t have a hardtail. 🙂
Matt Miller
Haha, nope. I like the FS. That travel is perfect for fitness/fun rides for me.
Jeff Barber
For sure. The BC40 is pretty close to a hardtail as far as efficiency, but it’s still full-suspension so you can ride fast and not get beat up after a long day.
