It's time for another bike check, and this time we've got an All-City Cosmic Stallion Titanium. This is in fact our third Cosmic Stallion bike check, and our second Titanium one. Turns out they're a pretty popular bike among our staff. Part of the reason they're so popular is that they combine modern gravel geometry with a more traditional aesthetic that you often only get with a custom bike, but at an off-the-shelf price point. Sadly, All-City are closing their doors and are winding down production, so this is one of the last new bikes we'll see from them. RIP All-City.
Chris just completed this beauty of a custom build, having spent some time deciding what parts to hang off that stunner of a frame. The paint job is a stunning purple to blue fade, showing off the raw titanium on the back end. To keep the paint shiny and fresh, Chris decided to Ride Wrap the frame, because it's worth taking care of this thing.Â
Chris wanted the latest and greatest on his Ti Cosmic Stallion, so for drivetrain he decided to spec Shimano's top end GRX 12 speed RX825 Di2 groupset, running a 2x12 double chainring setup. Shimano's new GRX Di2 offers wide range with a simplified system with only two wires - one from front derailleur to battery in the seat tube, and one from rear derailleur to battery. Shifters are now wireless, making for a much cleaner setup with only two hoses at the cockpit.
For wheels, Chris is running Reserve GR|25 rims laced to DT Swiss 350 hubs. The Reserve 25 rims are built for comfort and compliance over rough ground, rather than the stiffer and more aero road inspired 40|44 GR rims. Gripping the ground is Continental Terra Trail, combining fast rolling with puncture resistance and high grip over loose ground. Those valves are Reserve Fillmore high-flow valves, for super easy tubeless inflation and quick airing down.
Performing stopping duties, Chris has gone a little bit left field here. Since he had a set of calipers lying around already, he hooked up a set of XTR flat mount calipers to his GRX levers. A lot of Shimano levers are cross-compatible with their calipers, and Shimano produced these XTR flat mount calipers for the niche that is flat mount cross country mountain bike frames, that are based on a GRX caliper. Bonus points for the fact that they look pretty cool - we don't see many of these out there in the wild. Rotors are SRAM Centerline XR, because who cares about a bit of mix and match?
Finally, for finishing kit, Chris chose to spec Roval's Terra gravel handlebar and seatpost. Built to be strong, light, and compliant, their carbon Terra components are designed for bump-absorbing compliance, for the smoothest gravel ride without needing suspension.
