The Pipedream A.L.I.C.E (All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) is an adventure or gravel bike designed for self-supported big days out. We've just taken delivery of a frame and fork for review from the makers of that rather radical mountain bike hardtail, the Moxie, for rather different but no less hardcore forays.

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Hailing from Scotland, the A.L.I.C.E  is built to handle most things you can throw at it, bikepacking, gravel riding, big adventures in the wilderness, towpath trawling and even the daily commute. The frame is built using custom drawn 4130 steel which Pipedream reckon is the best material for any adventure bike prone to taking a beating due to its phenomenal strength. Pipedream source their tubes from Taiwan where they make sure the factory making the tubesets can achieve the exact specifications they require. They say this super-alloy is custom butted along its length and some tubes have a variable thickness in their cross-section. Longer butts and curved tubes transfer loads from otherwise vulnerable areas, negating the need for gussets and plates which makes for a clean and neat look. 

There are two options on the Pipedream website where the  A.L.I.C.E is concerned, either buy the straight frame and fork for £599 or buy what they call a rolling chassis which is pretty much a complete bike minus drivetrain, brakes handlebar and bar tape. For the £1150 cost, you'll get a Funn finishing kit, Funn cranks, a Funn Fantom 29er/700c wheelset and Maxxis pace 29 x 2.1" tyres. 

Geometry of the frame is calculated using a 432mm rigid fork (axle to crown) and Pipedream say if a 395mm CX-style fork is used, head angle and seat angle will steepen by approximately +2 degrees, BB drop will be 70mm and trail will be 58mm. The rest of the geometry for the four sizes available is below in the table:

The finer details are as follows:

• CrMo 4130 heat treated tubing throughout
• Down tube custom internally reinforced for added strength
• Oval top tube for greater vertical compliance and comfortable shouldering of frame
• Oversize (44mm) head tube
• Sliding/replaceable dropouts: supplied with 142mm bolt-through axle.
• 2 set of bottle bosses
• Cable stop behind BB for running a front derailleur
• Matte paint and decals
• Custom CrMo fork with rack mounts, mudguard eyed and extra bosses for bottle cages/accessories.
• Maximum tyre diameter is 29 x 2.1"

We will review this bike soon and report back! 

• www.pipedreamcycles.com 

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