Is This The Ugliest Bike Ever?
We reckon this Redalp has to at least be in the running for that title, but what do you lot think?
It reminds me of an old Vario, but somehow the guys from Redalp have managed to beat this one even harder with the ugly stick. Could they get the weight any higher?
The rocking chain idler is a pretty unique touch, but with it still being considerably lower than the main suspension pivot I’d be surprised if the chain still doesn’t have a fair bit of influence on the suspension.
It looks on the steep side in this pic too.
Anyway, here’s the press release about the new bike…
REDALP DOWNHILL BIKES 2012
THE INVENTION of an articulated chain link (patented) allowed Redalp to go a different way in frame design. This configuration gives more rearward axle path for outstanding suspension performance, links the head tube with the rear wheel on a straight line for maximum stiffness and minimum weight and solves all problems associated with high pivot points.
KEY FEATURES:
* Chain link [Pro-Motion]. No chain growth, no squat, no pedal back kick!
* Lightweight – both models are less than 37lb (16.8kg)
* Reliable, robust aluminum/carbon frames in 6061-T6
* Increased rearward axle path dominates rocks and roots
* Single pivot point, reasonable production cost, competitive sales price
* Low maintenance
“Our flagship, Replica DH, comes with a Fox 40, UST compatible Deemax and a 10 speed cassette. We offer this bike for a very reasonable price” says Andy Wuthrich from Redalp. “The Team DH Bike is probably an even better value for money. Equipped with Easton Havoc UST wheels, a 10 speed cassette and a Boxxer R2C2, some riders may prefer this bike regardless of the 2’000 Dollar cost saving”
REDALP is a Swiss Mountain Bike manufacturer. The Company was founded in Crans-Montana, Switzerland in August 2011. For more information please visit www.redalp.com
That is fairly minging!
that’s worse i reckon http://foto.mtb-forum.it/data/500/medium/HPIM0486.JPG
You have to get one in for a review
Hell it ain’t pretty but it aint gonna snap!
I might be able to beat it though…
Got this bad boy in the black of my garage http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/8415209/e.
7499 CHF / 6244 Euros / 4872 GBP if you’re interested in this beast
Possibly the only post where someone won’t say: “Looks like a Trek”
It was acceptable in the 80′s the 80′s..
Looks like a nasty old s-bike, but seemingly filled with lead, or platinum given the cost.
what were they thinking?
well, at least it’s got a low center of gravity, hehe…
Not just the ugliest bike, but also the one with the highest center of gravity!
Looks like a Truck.
Whilst that is impressively ugly bike there are definitely worse around….
Ed you gotta get one on test!
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That idler looks extremely clever. It moves back and down as the suspension moves up, reducing chain tension and avoiding that ‘I’m a rip you ankles off’ feeling. Can’t argue that it won’t stand up like crazy under power but I bet it’s better than you give it credit for.
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Go on Ed, get it in the mag!
Actually pretty clever idea- gives a high Anti-Squat level but low pedal feedback. VERY (eerily) similar to a patented system from Australia- http://www.i-tracksuspension.com
Looks like a old Trek, HAHAHA
A classic case of sack the engineer – I think he had his labrador design it for him
Pretty unprofessional for a company like dirt to make such a childish review of a bike they clearly know nothing about if you ask me. I’m not saying it’s for me, cause it isn’t, but you cant just go trash talking someone’s hard work because you think it was “hit with the ugly stick.”
Looks like an iron girder with a shock bolted on…
it looks like some thing from hiroshima!!!!
I have to agree with Eoin about slating.. But I agree that this isn’t a competitive design in the current market. If you look back at the Trek Session 10, that was done right, high pivot, great idler providing zero feedback, good center of gravity etc.. Superco or BMW own when it comes to High Single Pivot frames, I would rather buy another Session 10 on the second hand market than this offering..
Eoin, hopefully it is clear that this is in no way a ‘review’ of a bike. Everyone who uses Dirt knows that we’re pretty straight talking and this is just an example of that. The press release landed in our inboxes this morning and we all went ‘wtf?’. We could have simply ignored it and you lot might never have seen it, or we could have posted up a ‘less childish’ post about it (which would then have been full of loads of comments from you lot saying how ugly it is and what the hell are we doing being so serious about such a bike), or we could have done what we have done. Surely some publicity is better than no publicity. And yeah there are definitely some interesting points with regards to the idler/suspension design, but as others have quite rightly said ‘what were they thinking?’. There is a massive amount of competition in the DH bike game with a whole load of designs working well at the same time as looking good. I know looks shouldn’t come into it much, but when you as a customer are faced with so many good bikes I really can’t see you opting for something that looks like this one. A little bit ugly but works incredibly then maybe, but even if this bike challenged the best and was cheaper (which it isn’t), then I’d still be surprised if any of you lot spent your money on one. Sorry, just being honest.
Oh my god the humanity
worse it´s not have one
I always feel so bad when I see something like this. Someone somewhere must have poured a whole load of money and time into this convinced its the next big thing… and its about to fall flat on its face.
Why do they stare?
I find it funny that people cannot see past the looks of this bike. Yes it it weird(ugly)-looking BUT as i have said before the suspension system is at least worthy of comment.
It’s like degrading Stephen Hawking ’cause he ain’t no supermodel!
It’s kind of interesting to think about what actually makes a bike good looking. I mean, what would you actually need to change on this to actually improve the aesthetics? Personally I think the biggest no no is that massive girder seat tower they lovingly highlighted in gloss white, which means the seat has to be slammed down as low as possible making it look like bodged bikes from the 90′s when companies were making 21″ DH bikes. (Kind of reminds me of ‘Friends’ when they put a massive nose on Jennifer Anniston to turn hot chick into not so hot beaky bird.) So would a slimmer seat tower and perhaps losing a hint of ‘Industrial Girder’ from the frame make a difference? I only say all this because it does seem to have a couple of fairly good new design features which could make for an amazing bike.
Hey! Not only is that hideous, but some dude is insulting dirt mag with my username! I totally agree with you Ed that thing is hideous. Can’t see any advantage over the Zerode which has similar pivot point and infinitely better chain growth solution (i.e. the gearbox) while remaining sexy as f*ck. Only contender for ugliest bike is this monstrosity http://www.boutiquecycles.com/bikes/details/carbon_lahar/exotic/
Hi Eoin, nice name. There’s no point in dragging out an overly long comment in the interest of making myself look smart. In the end of the day that is something that someone thought of and made themselves. Give them credit for trying instead of slating them. Also i think the lahar is boss. Broaden your horizons maaaaaaaan.
Also Eoin, hate to burst your bubble but the gear box in no way help there chain growth on the zerode.
It looks like the bastard child between an old Vario and a Brooklyn race link
Haha this conversation must look pretty weird to non-Eoins. The Zerode has 2 chains, one does not grow, the other one has very minimal growth as the gearbox is so close to the pivot point… I mentioned it as it has a similar pivot location and is made by a small bunch of guys, yet looks ace and is really innovative (a word much overused these days). Why would I give credit to a bike which brings next to nothing in terms of innovation, looks like a pig and is overpriced all the while claiming to be cheap to produce? Anyway nothing quite as cool as arguing on the internet…
It’s an orange isn’t it!!!!
Oh wait a minute it has more technology on it, so it couldn’t be a orange.
It does look like the Vario from 1996,
Let’s see, it’s not British, it doesn’t say orange on it, and Dirt are slagging it off
Surprise Suprise.
Enough said ;0)
I concur. internet arguments get us no where. lets all enjoy riding any bike that make us smile!
They HAD to make it steep on the static geo. Look at that sky high pivot… 1 inch in travel and you’ve just slacked your HA of 10*…
the zerode is basically the same as that carbon lahar which is none to supprising considering how many people were probably involved with both projects.
And it was good enough for cam cole to win a jr world title on
Love the comically tiny link bolt which drives the shock…
even if it does look ugly everyone is posting and talking about it and thats what marketing is all about. and an ugly bike can still ride well some of my best shags have been mingers haha
My eyes hert
Lahar…. so the guy that made the LAHAR is now in prison… just so you know.
And this bike is a shocker…. but so is the Mountain Cycle Shockwave…. eve if you load it with BOS
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2009/02/23/1235404130192-3gxh3pxu1hlg-798-75.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid%3D103215&h=599&w=798&sz=103&tbnid=QET9DWxeffOt5M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__NCg-Ij2KhvbmlUV3zrlp0laZSq8=&docid=_CNOybbcIGIlVM&sa=X&ei=9pAOUJf9AtChiAfX04H4CA&ved=0CGQQ9QEwAQ&dur=33
Huh, Aaron from Lahar in Jail?? Where did you hear that?
This is the raddest example of WTF in biking today. No joke, this is Fugly and so epicly confusing I had to email the guy about OEM for a response. http://www.nsmb.com/2501-watson-bikes/
holy crap at post above, wth,wtf
All you other guys spelt your names wrong. The Gaelic is no longer allowed on the Internet.
That’s because Redalp is going to name this one the Eoin.
Eoin on Eoin argument made me lol
rebirth of the s-bike
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/files/s_bike_909dh_163.jpg