The Allied ABLE is the gravel race bike from Allied Cycle Works, the Arkansas company known for its carbon road and gravel frames. The current ABLE was unveiled at the Sea Otter Classic in April 2025. It pairs race geometry with clearance for tyres up to 57 mm, dropped chainstays, an in-frame storage hatch and a fully integrated cockpit.

This is a specification-based review, not a ride test. Every figure below comes from Allied's own product pages, frameset FAQ and stories, checked in October 2026. Allied lets you configure each build, so default components can change. Treat the build table as a snapshot and check the configurator before you order.

What the ABLE is, and what changed

The ABLE is a 1x-only gravel race frame designed for wireless electronic drivetrains. Allied says the current version uses dropped chainstays, replacing the raised drive-side chainstay of the original ABLE. That frees up room for tyres up to 700 x 57 mm, measured width, while keeping a short 435 mm chainstay.

Other headline changes and features, according to Allied:

• a deeper head-tube section and fully integrated cables for a cleaner, more aerodynamic front end;
• the in-house ST03 stem, which switches between −8° and 0° rise by swapping a shim and top-cap insert without re-cabling, and comes with a K-EDGE out-front mount;
• a magnetic in-frame storage hatch low on the down tube near the bottom bracket, with no hinge or latch;
• a 68 mm English threaded bottom bracket, spaced for SRAM Wide cranks;
• UDH / Direct Mount derailleur compatibility;
• dropper-post compatibility through a 27.2 mm seatpost, and suspension-fork compatibility up to 40 mm of travel (30 mm recommended).

Allied quotes a frame weight of 950 g in size 56.

Two versions: ABLE and ABLE EX

Allied sells the frame in two versions:

Allied says an ABLE EX can be converted to ST03 internal routing later, although the fork port remains. The EX is the cheapest way into the platform, both as a frameset and as the $4,750 Rival complete bike.

Both versions are 1x only, with no front derailleur mount, and Allied supports wireless electronic drivetrains only, not mechanical or older wired Di2 groups. If you want a 2x gravel bike or mechanical shifting, the ABLE isn't for you.

Builds and prices

Allied's complete bikes are configurable. The table shows each build's headline drivetrain, price and default components as listed in October 2026.

The configurator's default tyre on these builds is the Terreno T50 in 700 x 55, close to the frame's maximum. The integrated builds come with Allied's HB10 bar, ST03 stem and SP02 seatpost, which adjusts tilt and setback independently. The ABLE EX Rival build uses a Zipp Service Course SL-70 XPLR alloy bar with external routing.

Allied lists one complete-bike weight: 16.25 lb (about 7.37 kg) for the RED XPLR build with Industry Nine SOLIX wheels and Continental Race King 2.2" tyres. No size is stated, and Allied publishes no weights for the other builds. All bikes ship set up tubeless with Orange Seal.

Raw Carbon with silver logos is included. Allied's custom paint starts at $750, with options at $750, $1,000 and $1,250 in the configurator and complex designs quoted separately.

Tyre clearance and gravel capability

Tyre clearance is the ABLE's defining feature. Allied's FAQ gives a maximum of 29 x 2.25" / 57 mm measured width, and a smallest recommended tyre of 700 x 45 mm. That puts the ABLE in the "fast but wide" category of gravel race bikes: wide enough for rough courses and long, chunky events, but not intended as a skinny-tyre all-road bike.

The ABLE also fits a short-travel suspension fork, up to 40 mm with 30 mm recommended. That needs a standard stem and a ported cable guide, so it won't work with the integrated ST03. A dropper post is a configurator option, using a RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR 27.2.

Allied's maximum chainring with SRAM Wide or GRX 1x cranks is 50T.

Geometry

Allied publishes six sizes, from 48 to 61. Here is the official geometry:

Some points to note:

• A 70.5° head angle with 55 mm fork rake on most sizes is fairly steep for a gravel bike, suggesting quick, race-oriented steering. The 48 uses a slacker 69° head angle. Allied does not publish trail figures.
• A deep 80 mm BB drop in every size keeps the rider low between the wheels.
• Short 435 mm chainstays in every size, made possible by the 1x-only design, keep the rear end compact despite the 57 mm tyre clearance.
• Reach of 400 mm with 575 mm stack in size 56 is a fairly long, low position for gravel. Riders who prefer an upright position should compare carefully with their current bike.

Integration details: storage hatch and ST03 stem

The storage hatch sits low on the down tube near the bottom bracket, away from the bottle bosses. Allied designed it as a magnetic cover with no hinge or latch. Low storage keeps weight down near the bottom bracket and frees up bottle-cage space for fluids on long gravel races.

The ST03 stem is made in-house by Allied. Its key feature is adjustable rise without re-cabling: you change between −8° and 0° by swapping a shim and the top-cap insert. That makes it easier to fine-tune your position than a typical one-piece integrated cockpit. The headset is a Wolf Tooth Premium IS41/52 with a custom cap and spacers for the ST03. Standard IS41/52 headsets work with external stems.

Where the ABLE is made

Allied's FAQ says the ABLE frame is designed, prototyped and tested in-house in Rogers, Arkansas. Carbon layup and moulding are done at a partner factory in Asia. Allied then inspects, preps, paints, assembles and test-rides each bike in Arkansas. Allied's manufacturing story, published at the start of 2025, describes this shift for the new ABLE, and says aluminium components such as the ST03 stem are made in its Arkansas facility.

That makes the ABLE an Arkansas-designed, -finished and -assembled bike with a carbon frame laid up in Asia. Calling it fully "made in the USA" would be inaccurate.

Allied lists a lifetime frame warranty and a 60-day return policy on the frameset page.

Who the ABLE suits

A strong fit if you:

• race or ride fast gravel events and want 50–57 mm tyres without long chainstays;
• already use, or plan to buy, a SRAM wireless 1x or mullet drivetrain;
• want an integrated, adjustable cockpit (ABLE) or a simpler external setup (ABLE EX);
• value in-frame storage and a threaded bottom bracket;
• want a power meter included (RED builds).

Consider something else if you:

• want a 2x drivetrain or mechanical shifting, which the ABLE doesn't support;
• mainly ride paved roads with narrow tyres (the smallest recommended tyre is 45 mm);
• prefer a tall, relaxed position or slack, very stable gravel geometry;
• need confirmed fender or rack mounts. Allied's ABLE pages don't list them, so check with Allied before buying for commuting or touring.

Buying and setup checklist

1. Choose ABLE or ABLE EX first. Decide whether you want the integrated ST03 cockpit or the simpler external routing and standard stem of the EX.
2. Check your drivetrain plan. The frame is 1x and wireless only, so budget for a SRAM AXS, XPLR or mullet setup if you are buying a frameset.
3. Match size by stack and reach. Compare Allied's stack and reach with your current bike rather than relying only on the rider-height ranges.
4. Pick tyres for your events. Allied recommends 45 mm as the minimum and 57 mm (measured) as the maximum; the default builds use 55 mm tyres.
5. Decide on paint early. Raw Carbon is included; custom paint starts at $750 and adds to the order.
6. Plan your storage. Use the down-tube hatch for tools and a spare, and keep both bottle cages free for fluids on long races.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Allied ABLE cost?

Complete bikes range from $4,750 (ABLE EX Rival AXS Mullet) to $9,850 (ABLE SRAM RED XPLR AXS). The ABLE frameset is $4,000, and the ABLE EX frameset is $3,450.

What is the maximum tyre size on the ABLE?

Allied quotes 29 x 2.25" / 57 mm measured width as the maximum, and 700 x 45 mm as the smallest recommended tyre.

How much does the ABLE weigh?

Allied lists the frame at 950 g in size 56, and the RED XPLR build at 16.25 lb (about 7.37 kg) with Industry Nine SOLIX wheels and Continental Race King 2.2" tyres.

Can I run a 2x drivetrain or mechanical shifting?

No. The ABLE is 1x only and designed for wireless electronic drivetrains.

What's the difference between ABLE and ABLE EX?

The ABLE routes cables internally through Allied's ST03 stem. The ABLE EX uses external routing and a standard stem, and it is cheaper. An EX can later be converted to ST03 routing, although the fork port remains.

Is the ABLE made in the USA?

It's designed, tested, painted and assembled in Arkansas, but Allied says the carbon layup and moulding happen at a partner factory in Asia.

Does the ABLE fit a dropper post or suspension fork?

Yes. It uses a 27.2 mm seatpost and is dropper compatible, and it accepts suspension forks up to 40 mm of travel (30 mm recommended) with a standard stem and ported cable guide.

Final verdict

On paper, the Allied ABLE is a focused, modern gravel race bike. It has 57 mm tyre clearance on short 435 mm chainstays, a low 80 mm BB drop, a fast-steering front end and smart integration details such as an adjustable-rise stem and a magnetic storage hatch. It is not cheap, and it is strictly 1x and wireless. If that matches how you ride, it is a compelling option, and the ABLE EX makes the platform more affordable. As with any race geometry, check the stack and reach against your current position before you order.

Official sources

• Allied ABLE collection page
• Allied ABLE frameset (geometry and FAQ) and ABLE EX frameset
• ABLE SRAM RED XPLR AXS build and ABLE EX SRAM Rival AXS Mullet
• Allied story: ABLE first impressions and manufacturing evolution

Equipment mentioned in this guide

• Continental Race King 29 x 2.2 tubeless tyre
• Orange Seal tubeless sealant
• 27.2 mm gravel dropper post

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