Hey folks,

I’m looking to get a new Orange Alpine 160 to replace my ageing fleet of a Sub5 and 222 and I need some advice on sizing. The Sub5 is an 18.5″ XC machine and is a bit long / big for some of the more technical blacks we normally ride. I want the magical one bike to do it all. My riding is mostly all mountain trail riding with a couple of excursions to DH tracks at Fort William and Innerleithen each year.

I’m thinking that because most of my riding is trail based I’ll be an 18″ frame but maybe I should be on a 16″? I’m 5’11” average build normal leg length etc (32″?).

I would be getting a 5 or 5am but to be honest I think if I did it I would miss the downhill bike too much! I’m also not really interested in anything else (I know they’re better value etc) – as I’ve beaten up both of the bikes one circa 2000 and one 2002 and they’re both in remarkable nick requiring little or no maintenance!

There are no stores within striking distance to demo the bike (there is only one 16″ at Innerleithen and nothing anywhere else I can find) – I stay in Aberdeen.

Appreciate any advice!

Oli.

I’m a similar height and leg length (5’11” to 6′ and 32″) and I find an 18″ to be about right. The stem varies between 60 and 75mm depending how I’m feeling.
A 16″ would be too small for me, but others might disagree.
For a small fee (creditable against a purchase) an Orange dealer ought to get one in for you.

I’d say an 18″ would be right for you. At 5’10 my old 17″ five was spot on and that had the same reach as an 18″ and my mates alpine is an 18″ and feels right size wise.

I have an 18″ and am 5’10 with a 32″ leg. If a 17″ came on the market I’d be very interested.

Im 5/8 and a 17″ Five AM is bob on

5’11” and on a 16″ Alpine, fits fine and i prefer a smaller bike, makes it more chuckable.

I’m the same height as you and I went 18″

Cool, cheers guys….I was thinking along those lines but wanted to check!

Oli.

I’m 5’11” and I’ve had both a 16″ and an 18″ (for Alpine guiding).

The 18″ was great and fitted me fine, but always felt like a lot of bike to handle around switchbacks, etc.

For this season, I switched to the 16″ and I’m a lot happier on it. It still fits fine (although I do need quite a long post for pedalling), but it feels much quicker around the tight corners. Does feel slightly less stable in balls-out straight-line descents, but I’m not fussed about that.

EDIT: And I have both a well-used 18″ and a good-condition 16″ for sale! 😉

im 6’1 but found an 18 really small, my mate who is only 5’7 just bought a small and fits him fine

I’m 5’10” and ride a 16″. Here’s an unnecessary photo in Colorado:

Orange Alpine 160 by eddkh, on Flickr

I’m 5′ 11” but but long legs so i ride an 18 Alpine. I tried a 16 but it was too short in the top tube.

Similar height to the OP and I run a 16″ Alpine and an 18″ Five. The Five works well for big pedally days and the smaller Alpine for techy stuff (preferably with a chairlift 🙂 ). I find the 16″ too short for a lot of pedalling but perfect for chucking about.

….. oh and here’s an unnecessary photo from me ……

IMG_4700 by Simon_R, on Flickr

….. and another ….

IMG_6318 by Simon_R, on Flickr

I’m 5’11” with a 33″ inside leg and ride an 18″ with 50mm stem and 780mm bars, 16″ would require a ridiculously long seat post for me, great bike though.

Def go for an Alpine over the 5AM. It feels and rides much better. I’m 5’11 with a 32″ inside leg and have the 18″ frame. It fits perfectly. Lots of stand over and long enough TT.

we can sort you out with a demo…give us a bell and ill check on availability…01241 876034

were pretty close to you

Thanks for the info guys – pretty much confirmed what I already though! 🙂

I’ll be sure to give you guys a ring and head out Feteresso way…..

Oli.

What chain ring sizes/combos/guides are you guys running on your 5’s and 160’s?

My AM has two by nine and a bash ring

Mine’s on 2×9 (36-22) SLX Cranks with the Gamut chain device supplied by Orange.

Been working really well.

Old one was same setup with an E13 DRS BB-mounted device. This worked fairly well too, but the BB-mounted chain-devices are always prone to moving a bit.

Just checking to see if I can link to my pics and thought this may be an appropriate thread to try it on. I’m 5′ 10″ with disproportionately long legs and find it bit of a struggle getting round tight switchbacks. Mind you, they never were my strong point.

That worked well!

Here’s a link to the photo I’m trying to show;

<img src=”http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8077534578_0454e24317.jpg&#8221; width=”500″ height=”347″ alt=”Andrew’s Alpine”>