A couple of years ago we created the Alpine Five, an elusive big-mountain dream machine with a production run of just 25. Today, after subtle refinements made in response to worldwide testing and rider feedback, we present the Alpine 160 – the go-anywhere thoroughbred you’ve all been waiting for.

Everything about the Alpine 160 points to versatility, reliability and astonishing speed and agility whatever the terrain or gradient. Breathtaking downhill handling comes from a relaxed head angle and low standover and bottom bracket heights, coupled with massive lateral stiffness provided by a burly monocoque downtube, revamped single-pivot assembly borrowed from our legendary 224-evolution downhill bike and a Maxle rear dropout. A mixture of Reynolds and 6061 tubing delivers a combination of superb rigidity and impressive strength-to-weight ratios, and new CNC-machined shock mounts help dissipate loads and eliminate areas of stress. Meanwhile, the Alpine’s steepened seat angle, short back end and careful pivot positioning deliver comfort and climbing efficiency you’d have thought impossible in a bike this fun to ride.

Pedal all day, hit the Alpine lifts or destroy a Megavalanche – it’s your call, but the one bike you need is an Alpine 160.