[Closed] What bike for the Alps?? This is what I built.

i'm going with a yeti asr5 with 140mm forks on the front and a stubby stem... not 100% ideal, but i ride like a girly, so it should get me where i want to go.

A full chain device/single ring would be useful

Everyone knows you need at least 200mm travel, otherwise you will die. 😆

Depending on what you are riding in the Alps a chain device/tensioner and a Reverb would be perfik. Dual ply for the rear too. 😉

180mm up front and 185mm on the rear for me (Genius LT). So much easier than the year before on a 100mm hardtail.

I'm heading out to NZ with a 23mth visa. I don't mind a pedal, but I prefer to descend. I decided to sell the DH rig and go down the overbuilt enduro bike route so I could explore all the trails I come across.. A bit of a compromise, but hasn't held me back so far!

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/8003962967_290a86f964_c.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/8003962967_290a86f964_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlsharpe/8003962967/ ]Yeti SB-66[/url]

Mine

[img] [/img]

Abigales

[img] [/img]

Katies

[img] [/img]

Kevins undecided

Those Yeti's do look bloody lovely.

Blackspire Stingers work really well on Hecklers and Works Components do a 1deg slacker headset which fits niceley.

Cotic Hemlock build in progress...

[IMG] [/IMG]

Kevins is between these

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

I just take my bike 😆 Swap the tyres and that's all it needs. Might take the dropper post off this year, it was always down last time and I ended up breaking the lever in a crash so it'd be easier just to have a standard post...

Nice bikes everybody!

My Heckler has offset shock bushings fitted which give it an extra degree of slackness. I am toying with the idea of a chain device, and may swap the dropper post from my main bike onto it.
Tyres wise, I have a O-O Chunky monkey, and a X King Protection Black chilli combo to go on tubeless, but its still got its mud tyres on at the moment.

OP - the second hand frame was that an eBay purchase and did you have to pay import duties. VAT etc?

OP, non oversize head tube and no dropper, you realise you might die?

jesting apart, looks great!

RD 🙂

Tymbian - I bought it through Pinkbike USA, had it delivered to a US hotel I was going to be staying at, and bought it back through myself, under the customs allowance, so nothing to pay!!!

Also, thats nearly 2 hours, and no comments on my garden/decking! Is this a record??

Dan...about your decking.... 😀

If I could actually afford a trip to the alps, I'd be taking this.

[img] [/img]

Could use me tracking down a 1 1/8 steerer + a slackset.

[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8539274409_fcb3eca644.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8539274409_fcb3eca644.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66541880@N03/8539274409/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66541880@N03/ ]passtherizla[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Can't wait! 2 weeks of riding, Skating and climbing... Bliss.

I'm taking my trek remedy to an alps trip in July, with standard rp2 and some nice marzocchi 55 tst forks, probably going dual ply high rollers, 200mm rotors and deore brakes, usual wide bars/short stem, chain device etc.

I know it's going to be on the short travel side for the braking bumps, but I don't want to get or ride a full DH bike so this will have to do.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Here's my alpine160 in mega action....

@ae212060 - loving your sb66!! How does it ride on full on dh tracks?

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7494104380_4314e7110b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7494104380_4314e7110b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/80802903@N08/7494104380/ ]DHR_Scanned_Image_20110810-1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/80802903@N08/ ]dan45a[/url], on Flickr

I'll be racing this one over the summer 🙂

[IMG] [/IMG]

GlasgowDan - I had Deores in the Alps last year with 203/180 rotors and they were great!!

I do love the look of that Cotic Rocket! The log bike stand has given me an idea too!!

I even cut my grass for that photo today!!

Last year I went on this:

[img] [/img]

All I can really say is holy braking bumps batman. My arms just died at the bottom of every run. I acquired something bigger so next time I'll take:

[img] [/img]

Sidesaddle!

My patriot in Alps set up.... 3 trips to Les Gets / PDS.

[img] [/img]

I'm seeing plenty of Marz55 forks - mine will be in good company!

[quote=Pik n Mix ]Sidesaddle!

All the cool kids are doing it.

Dan: Pretty well tbh, I've thrown on flats for DH days and felt pretty comfortable. It feels more stable than my old Orange 222 descending, shows how suspension platforms have moved forward.

I did switch out the RP23 shock though,it was just blowing through the travel, even with spacers fitted.

[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/94435363@N05/8597622379/in/photostream ]flats all the way.[/url]

My ride in les arcs last year

Alps bike:

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7816012370_3f97487c1c_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7816012370_3f97487c1c_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/7816012370/ ]P1030797[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

Thicker tyres, and extra leaky fork seals, ready!

This is the most expensive thread this year. 🙂

Passtherizzla...was that taken at Cannock...?

takisawa2
This is the most expensive thread this year.

Not to mention the most number of pictures of girls posted without a following "pppffwwwahhhhhh crickey, she's hot" letch post

So consider this that post.......... 😉

[img] [/img]

Not as pimp as some of the stuff on here, but here's whats coming to the alps with me this year.(saddle will change however)

Ti Coil and Van 36's are super plush!

Alp D'huez bike

[IMG] [/IMG]

Following on from the recommendation to go for single ring/chain device, how easy would it be to convert my SLX Double/Bash to a single ring?

Following on from the recommendation to go for single ring/chain device, how easy would it be to convert my SLX Double/Bash to a single ring?

I used a Blackspire Stinger with my SLX double/bash, didn't drop a chain in 4 days of Alps riding.

My Alpine weapon, the Patriot is shown with an RP23 but i have a CCDB too 😀 the last couple of years I've been on my trail bike (Heckler & Five) when i came back last year i wanted something bigger.
OP, i have a one ride old Van RC for sale that is perfect for the Heckler.[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]
Last years bike.
[IMG] [/IMG]
The year before's.
[IMG] [/IMG]

My Alps bike in the Alps (it's my bike for everything...)
[IMG] [/IMG]

[img] [/img]

Not sure yet if I'm getting over there this year...

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

But this is how I rocked it 1999 stylee!

[IMG] [/IMG]

My alps / peaks bike. Handled it fine, going with whiterooms this year, so much more singletrack orientated and more at home hopefully.

Only significant change is renthal 50mm stem and renthal 780mm bars 😀

[img] [/img]

2006
[url= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/65/216073043_e79bfcd08b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm1.staticflickr.com/65/216073043_e79bfcd08b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewsmith/216073043/ ]jumping down the plenny[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/mikewsmith/ ]Mike Smith 79[/url], on Flickr
2007[url= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/161/337334968_e24b4cc350.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm1.staticflickr.com/161/337334968_e24b4cc350.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewsmith/337334968/ ]My New Bike[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/mikewsmith/ ]Mike Smith 79[/url], on Flickr
Most Recent Alps, Mega, Everything Bike
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5107/5845412333_3e4ea14c19.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5107/5845412333_3e4ea14c19.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewsmith/5845412333/ ]IMAG0341[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/mikewsmith/ ]Mike Smith 79[/url], on Flickr

would love to go, but really haven't got much of a clue where to begin...

If only some kind folk would let me tag along 😉 no... Seriously!

This is what I'd be riding though

[img] ?t=1364507007[/img]

[img] ?t=1364506966[/img]

bullit 🙂

Mines just undergone a powdercoat. Photo is cack and excuse the mess whilst our garage is being rebuilt 🙂

[img] [/img]

I had QR Revs on last year with slackset. Front end was not very stiff. Very much looking forward to using the Vengeance 160s (longer A2C so more like 170s angles wise) this year.

[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5172/5489641759_bde700ddb7.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5172/5489641759_bde700ddb7.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/37621241@N05/5489641759/ ]015[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/37621241@N05/ ]ianvincent[/url], on Flickr

Mine

[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5221/5820210017_ba98918fcd.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5221/5820210017_ba98918fcd.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/37621241@N05/5820210017/ ]bighit grom[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/37621241@N05/ ]ianvincent[/url], on Flickr

Juniors

[img] [/img]

as per last year ... might change the forks as they are getting on a bit

last time i spent a few days in the Alps (around Les Arcs) i was using a hardtail with 100mm suspension. I didnt die and it was fun.

If i was going today I would take my Bfe

Les Arcs is probably good HT, wish I had mine for 1 or 2 days. Over 10 days the heckler won though. Just allowed me to keep on going 🙂

takisawa2 - Member
Passtherizzla...was that taken at Cannock...?

Yes dude, top of lower cliff.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Having had most of my teeth shaken out last year on a Soul on the braking bumps, i'll complete the job this year on my new Bfe - will source some lyriks and dropper post etc

No Alps this year, Peru instead 🙂

Last year in Alp d'huez with the Mega
[img] [/img]

Closer to home, Stile Cop
[img] [/img]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orange-STRANGE-alpine-5-/251250940737?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3a7fb91b41

These are great basis for an Alps bike 😀

quite cheap too at the moment.

@darrel & @scamper - I was going to take my BFe last year but as I flew vs drove there was no room for both bikes. Whilst the bike could easily handle the back country riding (limited braking bumps) I think the extra vibration would have been a killer for my body over 7 days of riding.

2005:
[IMG] [/IMG]
This year:
[IMG] [/IMG]

Will be taking the Chameleon (again )

Spesh Enduro. I'm lucky enough to have a brother in Law who lives 50 mins from Chatel, so my Spesh lives in his garage.

[[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Better photo of mine:
[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Scott Voltage with 180 mm Totems. In the park, Whistler.2012

[img] [/img]

By the lake down the road from BearBack's chalet. Whistler.

For 2013: Chatel & surrounding PDS. No Enduro riding on this bike.

dantsw13..thanks for leading me to this thread.. 😀

my old (and now gone...) heckler on the beginning of the "brazilian trail " valais..

[img] [/img]

Just Finished (re)building:

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

160mm Spesty 😉 (Spicy+Zesty)

MT - love the look of that Lap! The TT looks very skinny, but in sure it's strong!!

AE212060 that's a mighty fine looking Yeti, never been to sure of the SB66's aesthetics and certainly not the factory colour, but that makes me question both counts...

Some mighty fine component selections as well 😉

No changes to mine this year other than tires...

[img] [/img]

Godzilla, that's the nicest Patriot build I've seen. Good work!

[img] [/img]

The bike I'm taking to the Mega this year but I would probably take my BFe for a more relaxed trip.

Sorry about the finger in the top left of the pic!