EVO LUTION NOT REVOLUTION

Orange’s new Alpine EVO gets longer, slacker geometry but less travel than its stablemate the Alpine 6

The new Orange Alpine EVO has been designed to sit alongside the Alpine 6 in the Halifax-based brand’s range, not replace it. It uses an all-new monocoque 6061-T6 aluminium frame and, like the Alpine 6, rolls on 650b wheels. Despite boasting more extreme geometry than its stablemate, it has 10mm less rear bounce – 155mm, paired with a 160mm fork. The travel it does have is more progressive, though. Orange have also lowered the position of their trademark single pivot – a move made possible by the EVO’s asymmetric back end, which shifts the pivot assembly towards the non-drive side so it doesn’t foul the chainring. The brand say the new pivot placement reduces anti-squat and gives a more neutral suspension feel, making the bike pedal better over rough terrain. They’ve given the EVO a slack 63-degree head angle and reasonably steep 76-degree effective seat tube angle. Reach numbers range from a lengthy-fora-small 458mm up to 513mm on the extra-large. The frame uses a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger and comes with an accessory mount. There currently only one model, which costs £5,900 and is equipped with Ultimate-level RockShox suspension and a Shimano Deore XT drivetrain and brakes. www.orangebikes.co.uk