Haven’t read any of the above so apologies if anything I say is a repeat but I went from an alpine which I truly loved and had it doing everything from Swinley to the peaks to Forest of Dean to a BFE which didn’t quite do it for me for some reason. I’ve had a year off and I’m now on a bird zero which im really enjoying and finding it ticks all the boxes plus it’s 650b + green 😀
I think if if was styling with 26″ I’d look at a alpine again but try the size up and run shorter forks and stem as they just seem to work.
How about my Cove hand job frame? 2 years old medium 17.5″ seat tube 67 degree head angle with 130 mm forks.I have used 120 mm forks & Pace RC31 rigid forks on it & it is very good with both.email jeffbushi@yahoo.co.uk if interested.
cheers
Jeff