The 2013 North American Handmade Bicycle Show saw Minneapolis native Alex Cook, of A-train Cycles, exhibit on the New Builder’s Table, showing off a stainless steel 29er that ticked everyone’s boxes. This latest build, a matte-black and brushed ‘Monster Cross’, looks set to tip the scales too.
It’s weight, however, may not tip the scales — the complete bike weighing under 20lbs. The Monster Cross isn’t just a SSCX weapon, either, designed with long haul gravel riding and single trail in mind. It’s a deviance from Alex’s specialty in stainless steel, constructed from lightweight Columbus tubes.
The low weight is helped by a carbon fork in the front from Colorado’s Niner Bikes, an ENVE seat mast and an Industry Nine wheel set — hand built in North Carolina. The rear brake cabling is routed through the frame, which is a nice touch, as is the custom seat lug cluster.
Whatever riding this Monster Cross was designed for, one thing you can be assured of is a helluva lot of fun. Spectrum Powder Works obviously had some fun with this frame, the carbon components being matched perfectly with the matte shades and hues of the frame and head tube badge.
