Orange appear to be sticking with 26″ wheels. There should be a review in the next issue of Singletrack:
http://singletrackworld.com/2013/04/fgf-extra-new-orange-alpine-160/

http://wideopenmag.co.uk/news/18522/spotted-orange-alpine-prototype

The one glaring omission is that there is no cable routing for stealth reverb seatposts.

(I’m sure that others will say that the absence of 27″ / 650b wheels is also a major oversight. They are probably correct.)

Looks nice:

kimbers – Stealth routing does not force you to use a stealth post. The absence of stealth routing on the other hand either forces you to drill a hole, thus invalidating the warranty, or use a non-stealth post which in my view is unnecessarily untidy.

Prefer it to the new Mega, I think the new Orange is just kind of…okay looking. Not ugly.

I hope Orange stick with 26 inch wheels considering loads of the reviewers are saying they can’t tell the difference between 26 and 650 in terms of roll over.

What is it that you think a dropper post does Dirk???

Isnt an all mountain bike what a dropper is intended for>? im a little confused now by that ^^^

I like the warship look. I am in the market for a 160mm AM type bike at the moment and suddenly this is at the top of my list.

Other threads that talk about the Alpine seem to indicate that a reasonable build comes in at around 31-32 lbs even with a dropper post. This seems reasonable? All the reviews also seem to say that it climbs (relatively) pretty well too. I haven’t read a bad review to be honest.

I’m off to Whistler at the end of June leaving me with less than 2 months. Anyone know when this new 2014 model actually comes out? What is the supposed difference this year?

What do I do? I can’t even find a new (or used) medium sized “old” Alpine for sale.

WANT ONE!

Potentially ;).
How embarrassing – been a long day 😳

It’s quite an achievement to make a bike look that ugly.

The swingarm is a monstrosity.

It better be nothing short of outstanding to ride.

They only did a 16″ or an 18″, so arguably there wasn’t a medium for some people.

They usually have their bikes on sale pretty quickly after announcing them, give them a bell.

Surely you could fit a 650b wheel in the back of this frame if you wanted to? It really isn’t that much bigger..

@dan45a I’m definitely an 18″ frame with Oranges (had an ST4 and a P7 before) at 6 foot, cheers anyway.

@ScottChegg – I’ll have a look at their web site a little closer, thanks.

Orange measured a 650b wheel with a 2.2″ tyre and a 26″ tyre with a 2.4″ tyre and there was 6mm difference. So you could fit one if you can’t live with being left behind in the fashion stakes.

Is it really half way between a 5 and the old Patriot?

@diggerb – have emailed you as suggested. Hope you are repaired and atleast riding. Let me know re the possible sale, cheers.

The Alpine 160 is tested/reviewed in the next ST mag issue 82…

Any more info on when its available to buy?

Within the next week or two . 😉

@teleith. Sorry missed post from 4 days back. No mail received tho’.
Distinct possibility of sale.
Broke my back when I fell off at Llandegla. Pinned and screwed and on the mend, but AM doesn’t hold too much appeal for me at present.
Back riding, gently does it for the time being.
It’s an 18′ in Sinbad Purple. Maxle r/end & Reverb. It’s a bit overkill for the rail tracks around where I live

Looks like a sc heckler to me

New Alpine specs and prices are on the Orange site, 2 specs one cheap and one steep..
it is a bit Heckler esque.