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Morning all, I currently have a five and I am looking to change. Currently torn between the new Alpine160 and the larger Alpine five.
To get either I will be trading in the five and a seldom used hardtail.
Which would be the best all rounder? Any experience of the two?
Thanks
Both will be mint and very reliable bikes, I'm sure. My guess it that the 160 will be slightly more capable on super-steep, tight and technical stuff thanks to the smaller wheels (Alpine Five is a 29er isn't it?). Also easier to build strong wheels in smaller sizes, which might be a consideration if you're likely to be hammering lots of very rocky terrain or getting airborne (in which case 160mm travel will also help). Reckon the Five might be a quicker generalist, but the 160 better fun in the Lakes/Alps. Demo both and take your pick.
Which version comes in 27.5?
Seriously, just built up a 650b hardtail expecting to be underwhelmed and to be sat there staring at the new wheels struggling to see a difference between the old 26's and the new 'tweener size but....i'm pleasantly surprised how much noticeably bigger the 27.5's are without compromising suspension travel, wheels base etc like some 29ers have done.
Maybe i've been bought buy the ad-men but i'm a convert, i'll be keeping a 26er hardtail too but i wouldnt buy a nice bit of kit like an Orange-5 or Alpine without going for the new wheel size now....sorry.
I went from a 26" 5 to a 5 29/Alpine 5 and can recommend the big wheeler if you fancy a change. They ride much like a 5 but feel much faster and gobble up the terrain. Flip side is that it's not as chuckable as the 26" 5. It's not that it can't do it, it just doesn't want to. The way it carries speed down long, open down hill runs is mind bending. The bike is far more capable then me!
Saying all that, mine will be up for sale shortly as our lass is on maternity leave until the new year and money is getting tight. I'll be getting another when she goes back but might try the 650b 5.
26" alpine is a pretty fair deal at the moment.
Not an absolute top flight spec but a lot of bike for £2500
As an allrounder I'd have the 29er, best Orange ever made imo, it really is superb. Alpine is good too but more smashing-over-things specific, less of an allrounder (and imo not really that much better at teh smashing over stuff)
Thank you for the advice. Looks like the AplineFive is the way to go. Will take a close look in the shop at the weekend. Any Five29 / Alpine owners advice on spec or build pictures?
I can heartily recommend the new Fox 36 and Float X shock combo on mine, feels supportive and bottomless at the same time. The Climb mode on the shock is basically a lockout, so it climbs well too with that engaged.
Wheels are the issue as with all long travel 29er. I think the new Crossmax XL's from Mavic might be the way to go as long as you get the MP3 cover to go with them.