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Before I hit 'Buy' on a Mk3 Soul, should I consider looking further into one of the tasty looking Mk3 Alpines?
How do the angles stack up in comparison? ride + feel? weight?
Im not particulalrly au fait with reading geometry and headtube angle data so im keen to hear real world experience.
I own (and throughly enjoy) a Mk2 Soul and like the idea of a go anywhere/all day hardtail. Im also looking to get into a few more jumps and drops but dont really want to go heavier with a BFe if I can help it (im guessing the Alpine is more in line with BFe thinking?)
Also, the Mk3 Alpine come in 18" max sizing, how does this compare to the Soul in large?
Im 6'1" with longish torso and shortish legs.
You'd want to look at the Prince Albert then rather than the Alpine. It's more in line with the BFe.
Complete different beast to the Soul.
yeah I figured as much, I just think the Alpine looks totally spot on.
For the lay man then, tell me what kind or riding/rider goes for the Alpine?
Souls are often touted as a great go anywhere option too. I presume the Dialled philosophy is to go downhill faster and harder?
The Alpine will weigh more than a Soul by about a pound (so not much heavier).
The Soul is still a tough bike, just email Cy and ask him. He emailed around recently to tell people this as he was constantly being asked what kind of abuse can a Soul take. Friend of mine batters his Soul around the Lakes with no issues, they're a tough bike.
Yes I agree and remember Cy's email.
My Soul takes a battering merely in the sense that I weigh approx half a shire horse, and it takes it in its stride. I also like the fact its a lively light(er) weight frame.
I guess im really pondering on whether id suit a slacker geometry, or not?
And the Alpine has some really nice details.. she's purdy. I wonder if the 18" would look daft under my heft though - I look odd enough on a large Soul!
I've had both, Alpines are slacker front end, less XC but can still do all day XC rides no problem. Souls are a bit quicker steering, less DH but can still be hooond down any hill.
OP, if you are worried about weight, I went from a mark 2 Soul to the latest Bfe - only 0.5lb difference. Although based on that the latest Soul is lighter than the mark 2.
Alpine has angles really based on a sagged 140 fork, Cotic seems to work best with a 120 fork, longer slackens the seat angle out a little more which may make steep seated climbing a little more tricky ( ie front end lifting)