WTF: Redalp DH

DH sleds are by no means our speciality here at Singletrack Towers, but this crossed our inbox today and set our WTF radar all-a-tingle: The Swiss-made Redalp DH. It’s an odd looking beast…

Yes, that is an idler wheel on its own pivot. If the above photoshoppery is making you suspicious, there are plenty of actual riding photos too:

Full gallery here, and more details on their technology page, which states “The rear suspension design is characterised by a very high pivot point, a long swing arm and a progressive wheel travel. This configuration gives a rearward axle path and a big strike angle. Redalp Bikes are therefore faster over rocks, roots and square bums [sic]. The articulated chain link ‘pro-motion’ (patent redalp) solves all problems such as chain growth, chain torque, whopping and pedal kick back.”

The Replica DH is 5,400 Swiss Francs and weighs 15.8kg, whereas the Team DH is a bit cheaper and weighs 16kg.

David Hayward

David started mountain biking in the 90’s, by which he means “Ineptly jumping a Saracen Kili Racer off anything available in a nearby industrial estate”. After growing up and living in some extremely flat places, David moved to Yorkshire specifically for the mountain biking. This felt like a horrible mistake at first, because the hills are so steep, but you get used to them pretty quickly. Previously, David trifled with road and BMX, but mountain bikes always won. He’s most at peace battering down a rough trail, quietly fixing everything that does to a bike, or trying to figure out if that one click of compression damping has made things marginally better or worse. The inept jumping continues to this day.

Comments (7)

barneybarney February 16, 2016 at 2:56 pm

Does anyone know what ‘whopping’ is, and why it’s a problem?

Presumably it’s OK between consenting adults.

The PinksterThe Pinkster February 16, 2016 at 2:57 pm

My first thought was ‘Has the Klein Mantra been reborn?’

Certainly looks interesting, would like to hear how it rides in the real world.

slowadeslowade February 16, 2016 at 5:14 pm

Just what I was thinking, Klein Mantra / San Andreas love child

Marc BasiliereMarc Basiliere February 16, 2016 at 6:34 pm

I like the idler (which looks like it may actually create some anti-squat), but the high standover may leave something to be desired (like more standover).

hamishthecathamishthecat February 16, 2016 at 7:50 pm

Whopping square bums. I like it.

d4ddydo666d4ddydo666 February 16, 2016 at 8:10 pm

“A low pivot point slows down the bike riding over rocky sections or roots, stresses the rear triangle and the rider does not feel comfortable or can crash.”

I’m gonna get me a crash-proof bike!

JohnJohn February 17, 2016 at 9:40 am

Shades of Bas De Bever’ B1 from the late 90’s

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb8899245/p5pb8899245.jpg

Showing my age a bit