new orange 5 or orange alpine 160 ?

Who needs an alpine 160….

I'm pretty sure I do.

Likewise I am growing increasingly convinced that I need to sell my M3 and replace it with an Alpine. It's that gnawing sort of thought that wont go away until I've done it.

Medium Red Intense M3 frame and boxxers anyone? 😳

ill find out if i need one when i demo it soon 🙂

Ive chosen the Alpine, for a reason not mentioned here so far. My Stumpy is pimped so much, but keeps busting, I need a bike that will take a hammering, ride XC but take in occasional DH days. Its gotta be simple to look after, single pivot is as simple as it gets. Also my skill is not top notch, so the Alpine 'forgives' my lack of skill, a lot! It soaks up my mistakes and keeps me rubber down! i just point and grin! I dont win races to the top, but I am getting very fit, but downhill, oh boy…. get outta my way…….

I had a go on my mates new 18" 2011 Orange 5 last week.

Normally i ride a Cotic Soul or Turner Flux which both have a 24" TT and being 6' with a fairly long reach the bike seemed a little on the short side.

Overall the bike felt great and didn't seem to notice the slack HA even on twisty single track, tapered head-tube makes the front end feel very solid and it looks atheistically pleasing unlike some other tapered HT bikes.

If i was looking for a bike mainly for this country and occaisonally for steeper trails abroad i'd get the 5 (or 5AM) if you want the bike mainly for abroad then i'd go for the Alpine.

Looking at the Alpine myself but won't be bothering until 30.9 seat-tube and tapered head is standard,

i'm hoping to demo both next weekend, but is the Five really worth 400 quid more than the Heckler?

noticed this this thread has died. However interested to know whether you got a 5 or alpine and if so what was the lead time? I bought an ex fuel 9 from my lbs however after my my friend buying a 5 AM 2 days later and me trying it i was hooked. I took the bike back and with some discussion and a good lbs i swapped it for an order for a 5. What amazes me is when reading these threads no one ever mentions the riding position. it is so different to the rest of the bikes i have ridden. You “sit in” a 5 where as you “sit on” most other bikes. That is the main reason i swapped. 😆

chris won’t actually buy a bike, he just needs to look cool

I have the 5-pro and the alpine 160 and use them for different types of riding.

The 5 is great for going up and down, but the Alpine is unbelievably good going down. My problem (or should i say my preference) is that i’ve got the Alpine setup with 2.5inch Minnions, thick DH tubes, CCDB on the back and the Fox 2011 Talas (180mm) on the front, so it’s a bit of a slog going climbing. Mind you, it’s a bvloody good work out!

Like many have said on here, it’s your bike, set it up as you will. Only you know.

Medieval was that your Alpine 160 with 180mm forks
you had pictured on here!
That did look a trial monster.

Yes, the very same. Used it in Les Arcs for a week, since then had a couple of trips to Inners and some local venues. Brilliant pointing down, hard work going the other way!

alot of money to spend to just have as an abroad bike.,
and alot of travel for over here…

Blower – Member

alot of money to spend to just have as an abroad bike.,

‘A lot of money’ is relative to income/funds available.

Besides, we need people to get out there and spend in order to reinvigotate the economy. Come to think of it, you should all go out and buy at least two new bikes each. If your wife/girlfriend gives you any aggro, simply look at her with disgust and accuse her of being unpatriotic.

😛

Nice thread just read the whole lot today, I have owned a specialized hard rock pro for a couple of months but already looking for a better bike and orange bikes look great! Bit pricy though so I may have to buy second hand…

After similar deliberation, I opted for the Alpine, use it as a XC bike and Downhill. Its Happy doing either. Its 32lb with Grav Dropper post (20″ frame).The extra travel is a blessing to absorb mistakes and it climbs very well. A big plus is that its not once been in for any work in 18months, previous stumpjumper (although great bike too) was in for repair monthly. Yes i do hammer the bike but the Alpine is tough as nails and very reliable. I’d probably be happy with a 5AM but the Alpine copes with the uplift days and is very light compared to full DH rigs, and I’ve not yet found it wanting for more travel! To sum up, I’d miss the travel too much to go for a lighter bike, anyway 3 or 4lbs lighter is about the size of large turd!

Also my skill is not top notch, so the Alpine ‘forgives’ my lack of skill, a lot!

Interesting reason to buy a bike……

I went and ordered the orange 5 s new in the end, got the fox 32 fork and hope hub upgrade, 10% off too 😉 should arrive end of next week… I hate waiting

5AM is a must. Does everything and is soooo secure on big stuff! The tallas fork is a must but be warned if you use it alot it needs a yearly service!