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We are still making our way home from spending a week with the whiteroom. it was an excellent week, lots of 1000m vertical descents on single track!!!! i would suggest you hire, the hire bikes they have are brand new orange alpine s that seem to have the perfect travel for the trip. I used an orange 5 and was fine with 140mm travel but 160 would have been better.
Enjoy your trip, we did.
I guess it depends on how you ride but I spent a week with them last year and I only remember one puncture. I used High rollers with single ply DH casings (and was glad I did) but others had 2.1 Panaracer Fire XC (crazy in my opinion), Nobby Nics, etc. There weren't any thorny trails but pinch flats are a real possibility, so as long as you have good sidewalls and a reasonably high volume you should be fine.
Brakes wise - you can pull a 203 rotor more gently but it is very hard to pull a 180 harder! Go for the bigger option you can. Probably the cheapest option to improve your "alpine experience".
And as other have said, shorter stem, wider bars if you want to but importantly make sure you are happy on the bike and used to riding it on demanding terrain with your tyres of choice before you go.
Personally from your bikes I'd take the ST4 but you will have more fun on the bike you feel happiest and most comfortable on.
Have fun!
P
I could be wrong but I think I was the only person in our week not to flat. First day was tube-ma-geddon. Yvan made it to the last day before he bagged one though. Some of the group had some pretty xc tyre choices but then everyone was going at their own pace too.
Got back from two-weeks in Morzine on Saturday.
Rode both my Hustler (140mm FS) and my Handjob (120mm HT) whilst there. I run 2.35 Maxxis Minion front and High Roller rear as my usual set up so the tyres were fine. In the sloppy wet I revert to Maxxis Wet Screams but that's 'cause I need all the help I can get 🙂
The Hustler has 185/160mm brakes, the Handjob 160mm brakes. Managed to get the rear on the Handjob to boil after a concerted effort to do so.
I say, run what you normally run. Bigger, more robust tyres are handy but not a necessity as are bigger brakes.
On tyres, I'd say just don't go assuming the alps are all dry dusty rock trails. Swampy mud, persistent rain and wet roots can be found, as I discovered in Morzine 😀
Either take options to swap on conditions, or go with all rounder tyres that will clear mud okay, and grip on everything. If mostly descents don't worry about draggy tyres.
More important is the casing. Go for tougher stuff, and tubeless or not, take plenty of spare tubes in case.
whatever you do theres plenty of bike shops over there if you need owt.
On tyres, I'd say just don't go assuming the alps are all dry dusty rock trails. Swampy mud, persistent rain and wet roots can be found, as I discovered in Morzine
Les Arcs / Tarentaise ain't Morzine! 😉
Shush!
If they are happy with the PDS then let them be happy!
I do believe Stevo just entered into a legally binding contract to provide me with sun and dust.
PS, check your email chief, I think I owe you the balance...
Yorkshire__Lad had some top advice there. I'm sure a bit of extra travel helps though!
or if you're asking this question...
no, it's not! Your need to buy a new bike!! Fast!!!
@stevomcd - so are you thinking about more capacity for next year ? FYI just started easy trail rising after December mishap, it's been a bit of a bore. Hope to see you next winter.