Some builds are about compromise. This build is about precision. When a rider comes to us wanting a bike that can climb like an XC rocket but descend with the confidence of a trail bike, we know we’re in for a fun project. The goal was simple: build the ultimate ‘down-country’ machine.
The foundation is the Allied BC40 frame, finished in a stunning Raw Satin that lets the carbon layup do the talking. This bike is a chameleon, equally at home on a start line or a technical backcountry loop.
To honor its racing intentions, we selected a drivetrain that defines flagship. Shimano’s XTR 9200 Di2 12-speed group delivers flawless, instantaneous electronic shifting. It’s paired with an SRM power meter and a 32t chainring—perfect for the data-driven rider serious about improving their performance.
The control center is a masterclass in lightweight precision. For braking, we opted for powerful Shimano XTR 4-piston calipers up front providing fade-free stopping power, with lighter XTR 2-piston calipers in the rear for modulation. The cockpit is pure business, featuring a Santa Cruz Carbon bar, a Cane Creek GXC stem, and classic ESI grips.
This bike’s dual personality truly shines in the suspension. Up front, a 130mm Fox 34SL fork provides trail-taming travel in a super-light chassis. In the rear, a Fox Float SL shock matches its efficiency, ready to soak up chatter without sacrificing a single watt.
For wheels, nothing but the best would do. A Shimano XTR 9200 XC wheelset provides the stiff, responsive, and lightweight platform this build demands. We wrapped them in a classic Vittoria tire combo: a grippy 2.35″ Barzo up front for cornering bite and a fast-rolling 2.35″ Mezcal in the rear. To ensure race-day reliability and enhance cornering support, we installed Vittoria Air Liner Light inserts in both the front and rear.
The finishing kit is all about saving grams without sacrificing function. A KS LEV Ci 150mm carbon dropper post, actuated by a crisp Wolf Tooth Light Action Lever, gets the saddle out of the way on steep terrain. Wolf Tooth also supplies the durable headset and bottom bracket. An ultra-light Pro Components Stealth saddle and Xpedo Ti pedals round out this featherweight build.
The result is a no-compromise BC40 weighing in at just 22.8lbs. It’s a testament to its rider: focused, fast, and ready for anything the mountain throws its way.
The Deets:
Frame: Allied BC40 size large Raw Satin finish
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR 9200 Di2 12 speed
Power Meter: SRM w/ 32t Chainring
Pedals: Xpedo Ti
Brakes: Shimano XTR 9220 Trail Lever w/ 9220 4-piston fr caliper/9200 2-piston rr caliper
Wheels: Shimano XTR 9200 XC 24 hole
Tires: Vittoria Barzo Trail Casing 2.35 fr/Mezcal Trail Casing 2.35 rr w/ Vittoria Air Liner Light inserts Fr&Rr
Fork: Fox 34SL 130mm
Shock: Fox Float SL
Headset: Wolf Tooth
Bottom Bracket: Wolf Tooth
Stem: Cane Creek GXC
Handlebar: Santa Cruz Carbon
Grips: ESI
Dropper: KS LEV Ci 150mm w/ Wolf Tooth Light Action Lever
Saddle: Pro Components Stealth Ultralight