interested in an alpine, but just wondering if someone who is 6ft 2" can get away with one as an all day bike?
and if so - what size is best?
ta
Ben
You might want to look out for one of the original 17" frames. Coincidentally... a mate is selling one with a 22" top tube; he's not far off your height but they do feel short in the 'cockpit'. If thats OK, you'll be ine.
Mine's a 15/21 and I'm 5'6". It is very short but I love it for that and ride it all day.
EDIT: Mail me if interested in the frame
gonna need a proper length seatpost, im 6'0" and right on the limit of a 400mm post in a MKII 18" frame
Im the same height as you and I had a 17/22, the top tube was short and the ride osition was pretty upright with the seat up. Also, getting the right saddle height might be an issue for you.
The new 18 inch one might be ok, but Im not sure why you pick one to use as an all day bike, there are surely better frames out there for that. The Alpine is good for going downhill
When I tried my mate's one I felt battered after 10 minutes, let alone all day! That's one stiff frame.
At your height I would suggest not. My current hardtail is a 17", 23" which is the largest of the MK1'S. I'm 5'11" with long legs and need to run a silly long seatpost.I really like the bike and it does everything I want it to, but for a tall guy doing all day rides I would recommend something bigger. My last bike was a 456 which myself and many others would recommend for longer rides.
When I tried my mate's one I felt battered after 10 minutes, let alone all day! That's one stiff frame.
Bizarre, whats your frame made from? Rubber bands?
I thought the Alpine was pretty comfy, or at least comfier than a BFe or an alu Stumpjumper
There's no reason why an 18" Mk2 Alpine with a long seat post couldn't be used as an all day bike by a 6'2" person. Plenty of Swiss, French and German customers use them for that.
However, a 19" Prince Albert would probably be more suited to the job. If that idea tickles your fancy you could either grab one of the last Mk2 (Reynolds 520) frames or wait for the new Mk3 (Reynolds 725) frames in spring 2010.
you'd need a lot of seatpost and that might put your c of g too far back over the wheel for decent climbing
i'm 5'11" and have to use a 400mm post
that said i love it as an all day xc bike but there are better bikes for the job if it's just for that, i can put up with the slight jitteryness on climbs because of the screaming tiger chasing banshee it becomes on the downhills
For anyone interested, FSA do a 425mm post, got it off crc for £25 i think. It was the longest i could find. I dont need it, and could have got away with a shorter one but i wanted as much post in the frame as i could
..an all day bike by a 6'2" person. Plenty of Swiss, French and German customers use them for that.
Thats bullshot, eveyone knows them foreign types measure themselves in cm. FFS.
in addition to what i already said....
i dont find my centre of gravity too far back will the seat right up, think ive even got a layback post in at the moment
nor did i find it cramped with an inline post and 70mm stem
nor do i find it harsh, the rear suspension is not as wallowy as my full suss
and by using the pedals i find it goes uphill as well as any of my other hardtails.
but im probably doing it all wrong.
I am 6'0" but with very long legs and arms for my height
I have been riding 17"/22" Alpines for all day stuff for over 2 1/2 years. Absolutely fine.
Fantastic frames. You won't find a better do-it-all hardtail for under £400.