{"id":33943,"date":"2022-02-25T15:00:46","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T14:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=662308"},"modified":"2022-02-25T15:22:29","modified_gmt":"2022-02-25T14:22:29","slug":"high-pivot-vs-low-pivot-mountain-bike-which-is-better-two-suspension-systems-tested","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/high-pivot-vs-low-pivot-mountain-bike-which-is-better-two-suspension-systems-tested\/","title":{"rendered":"High-pivot vs low-pivot mountain bike \u2013 which is better? Two suspension systems tested"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 25 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The increase in popularity and availability of high-pivot bikes isn\u2019t a coincidence, with success at Downhill World Cup events highlighting the benefits of a rearward wheel axle path \u2013 such as improved grip and better bump absorption on rough terrain \u2013 for all to see.<\/p>\n

Alongside big-rig downhill bikes<\/a>, brands have been developing trail bikes<\/a>, enduro bikes<\/a> and freeride high-pivot bikes that make sense for the everyday rider, but questions still linger about their suitability outside of the downhill setting.<\/p>\n

To find out whether high-pivot bikes live up to the hype, I pitted two very different bikes \u2013 the Norco Shore 2 high-pivot bike and Orange Alpine Evo LE low-pivot bike \u2013 against one another.<\/p>\n

These two test bikes might seem a bit \u2018Jekyll and Hyde\u2019 at first glance \u2013 but they encapsulate the archetypal design and qualities of each suspension type.<\/p>\n

In this test, I\u2019ve concentrated on how the\u00a0two different suspension systems\u00a0ride against one another.<\/p>\n

However, you can also read my individual reviews of the\u00a0Norco Shore 2<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Orange Alpine Evo LE<\/a> to see how they fare on their own. And before we get started, you can also read BikeRadar\u2019s full explainer on high-pivot bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Introducing the bikes<\/h2>\n

Right then, let me introduce the two bikes.<\/p>\n

On one hand, the Orange Alpine Evo, a reworked version of one of the brand\u2019s most popular models, dating back more than 10 years, has a traditional single low pivot with 155mm of suspension travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s not a thoroughbred enduro race bike, the Orange EWS team have raced it at certain events in the 2021 calendar, and its geometry figures wouldn\u2019t look out of place on a bike with significantly more travel.<\/p>\n

This mash-up makes the Orange a worthy one-bike quiver, and certainly up to the challenge of taking on the high-pivot big-hitter in this test.<\/p>\n

\""Norco\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
We pitted a low-pivot Orange against a high-pivot Norco to find out which suspension system is better, where.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Jekyll to our Hyde is Norco\u2019s Shore 2. Although the Shore is another remake, this time of an old Norco model, the latest iteration is nothing but forward-thinking in terms of its suspension, geometry and spec.<\/p>\n

With a high-pivot placement built around a multi-pivot Horst-link suspension<\/a> design giving 180mm of rear-wheel travel, it\u2019s at the more extreme end of what you could ride day in, day out.<\/p>\n

The Norco is clearly designed for big-mountain riding, but then so is the Orange, especially when you consider its namesake Alpine mountain terrain.<\/p>\n

\""Norco\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Norco felt amazingly smooth at high speeds.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There are plenty of similarities between the two bikes \u2013 both run on 650b wheels<\/a> with Maxxis rubber, are damped by RockShox suspension, and use Shimano\u2019s 12-speed drivetrains and 4-pot brakes.<\/p>\n

To truly discover the benefits and disadvantages of both suspension systems, I rode these bikes on the widest range of terrain in the Scottish Borders to find out where they excel and, just as importantly, where they don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Frame, suspension and component specifications<\/h2>\n

Orange Alpine Evo LE<\/h3>\n
\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Alpine Evo is a good-looking bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Alpine Evo LE (Launch Edition) doesn\u2019t deviate from Orange\u2019s iconic single-pivot suspension, aluminium monocoque frame design. But this model has seen under-the-hood updates, with an increase in suspension progression, and the use of thinner and lighter tubes with a new swingarm, all said to improve its ride.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fitted with top-tier parts, including RockShox\u2019s Ultimate Lyrik<\/a> and Super Deluxe dampers, plus Shimano\u2019s M8100 XT drivetrain and four-pot brakes. It runs on e.13 TRS rims, wrapped in Maxxis rubber. It\u2019s got a slack 63-degree head angle, steep 76-degree seat tube angle, a long 495mm reach, and generous 445mm chainstays and 1,280mm wheelbase.<\/p>\n