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Right got an DB alpine that I feel a bit like I'm sat on rather than in, had a Genesis alpitude before that was warrantied as the paint came off and I couldn't get another. So switched over....
I enjoy riding the alpine but the alpitude felt a bit longer and lower....like you were in it. Headtube feels very low on the DB alpine.
I run pikes, 70mm stem o rise stem and 685mm hi-rise bars (not trendy I know)
Is it blasphemy to put a 90mm/10 degree stem on? Has anyone done that to adjust the feeling I describe. I also have some 711mm mid-rise bars on the way to try.
Advice please from DB owners ideally...living and riding right on the edge of the cairngorms and deeside so some 'lively' big trails here!
cheers
Mine is / was very short so normal riding does feel perched. Just throw it about and enjoy it on the downs...
Mmmm, it only feels really comfy when you are totally ragging it on very rough stuff, which perhaps is the whole point! Sometimes feel it (or me) are a bit unbalanced on very slow and steep trails tho.
I'm sure I'll get used to it!
I have an Evil Sovereign (which is vaguely similar right?) and recently switched to a higher rise front end from a pretty slammed low one, and it is much more comfortable on everything from steep climbs to mental descents.
Wider bars has to be a good shout, too.
I’ve always thought BB is pretty key to the ‘on’ or ‘in’ feel of a bike. From looking at the DB and Genesis websites, the Alpitude does have lower BB height...not much but maybe enough to feel different. Unfortunately neither site states what fork length BB height is based on.
I have a PA which, according to the DB site, has the same height BB as the Alpine. I recently bought a Turner Flux which does feel like I'm sat 'in it' rather than 'on it' (Lower BB that the PA when sagged) unlike the PA which feels a bit more perched imo. Funnily enough though, I prefer the more 'on it' feel of the PA.
stick a 50mm stem on it, slam the saddle and ride it how it's meant to be ridden rather than mincing about on it.
They ride better with a shorter fork too BTW
Nice advice GW, 'tis good with the seat right down I admit! Maybe a classic case of MTFU and ride faster.
good info guys! a wealth of knowledge....
50mm stem + 760mm flat bar here, seems to work.
My alpine felt very different at first, but a couple of rides sorted that and it felt normal again. You'll get used to it and learn to love it!
The bottom bracket on mine was significantly higher than quoted on Dialled's website - Mike quotes 12.76" but my mk2 measured over 14.5" with Pikes at 140mm unsagged. I got rid based on how this made it feel so perched. Curiously, I had a Mk1 that didn't feel anywhere near as perched, but because it wasn't an issue I never measured the BB height.
I changed from a 65mm to 80mm on mine to try and get a bit more stretch.
Did'nt like it, made the steering 'flippy floppy' 😆
and I had the same feeling as you, the reason is as others have said the higher BB but the seat angle is also steep and that alone raises you another 3/4" ish so you do feel as though you are on it rather than in it.
HOWEVER
when the thing points DH it bloody flies and all the perched feeling dissapears. They are VERY fast DH, the steeper the better was my opinion.
IN and ON the bike, seriously, does anyone actually believe this bollocks? Seems it's this years 'thing' to say about a bike. 🙄
IN and ON the bike, seriously, does anyone actually believe this bollocks? Seems it's this years 'thing' to say about a bike.
People have been saying shit like that for ages... are you new here?
I'd agree with what most people have said. I had a 17/22 and it was a bit short and tall for me at 6'2" (for xc stuff)
I had a 65mm stem on mine and it felt very fast and capable on rough downhills with the seat down, more so than the cotic bfe that I have now i think
Shit being the right word.
I have an DB Alpine that has a long stem. I love it. Came from a PA with a 50mm stem. Tried it on the Alpine but it was just too short. Changed to I think a 80mm stem and it is just right.
I had a 17 and swapped it for an 18, feels much better and an inch longer. BB is a *bit* high but thats for rocks n'big stuff. I find a big difference when I put Spds on rather than flats for the winter, I have to raise the saddle so it does feel more tippy. Also dropped my forks from 140 to 130, thats better and also 10mm shorter.
Long frame, straight post, short low stem, low wide bars. Its the future and its nothing to do with Gary Fisher.
I got an Alpine because it doesn't have such a long TT when compared to a 456, etc.
My 15" has a BB height of 13" unsagged running 120mm forks. Effective TT is 22" and I'm running a 40mm stem. It feels / rides great. Doesn't feel tippy at low speed and just gets better as speed increases ... however I'm 5'7" with long legs and a shorter body so the above won't mean anything unless you're the same 😉
Myself (and most of the other guides at trailAddiction in les Arcs) ride an Alpine. In fact just about to build up a special EBB version so I can run a geared hub - no more broken rear mechs! (Anywone selling a decent Alfine rear wheel?)
Anywway Im going off the point...
....I echo the comment already made a few times here - drop your seat post and enjoy the ride down. i run a 160mm fork but with a short stem. It feels perched with the seat up, very much so. In fact I can hardly bloomin ride the thing up technical climbs.
Seat down is a completely different matter though. Of all my bikes, i think this is the most planted. Especially on super tight and unltra steep techy stuff.
Cant have it all ways I suppose. maybe get a gravity dropper so you arent always having to stop to shift your seat up and down?