Orange Five?

Author
Discussion

Notorious100HP

301 posts

217 months

Thursday 26th November 2015
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d8mok said:
I always had to lock out my 5 to climb as it just bounced about too much.
Here's a FS Noob question then: Do FS shocks lock-out automatically on climbs now?

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

206 months

Thursday 26th November 2015
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In the main no.
Lapierre have a Ei system that sets up the shock based on what the fork encounters and the level of cadence.
If you are pedalling and the fork isn't dealing with big impacts the shock will lock out - or at least go into 'pro-pedal' mode. If you aren't pedalling and the fork is encountering a lot of big compressions it will move into the open position. Or something like that..

Digga

40,324 posts

283 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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ilovequo said:
If I had the money and needed a full sus I'd buy a Five in a heartbeat...
Good reviews and excellent build quality.
20% of all their demos/clearance bikes tomorrow!

vvv I'd buy this one vvv
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/shop/factory/ex_demo...
Don't get me wrong, there is a lot right about Orange FS bikes and, as other posters have said, there's an awful lot of people who swear by (not at) them and use them very hard too. The single-pivot, monocoque, combined chain/seat stay design is good for reducing mud build-up (i.e. great for British spring, summer, autumn and winter) and is easy to live with other than requiring decent lock out on some climbs.

I'd also go further and add that people I know who ride fast and often swap 'brand' bikes frequently (especially carbon framed ones) because of longer term concerns about bearing life and frame wear around the bearings.

W00DY

15,492 posts

226 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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http://www.racecouk.com/black-friday-sale-443-c.as...

20% off if the size suits you.


I'd ask how many here have ridden the 2016 bike which is genuinely head and shoulders above previous models. I guess it just shows that test riding bikes is much more important than people give it credit for.

phil-sti

2,679 posts

179 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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I think the lock out issue isn't a real issue anymore. Shocks are fantastic and a CCDB air or inline would cancel out the need for a lock out.

the value for money argument is a good one as they aren't the best but I find bikes nowadays are a wash with mixed cheap components and in reality you should pay for a gram that will last as most other components end up being replaced.

snorkel sucker

2,662 posts

203 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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I lock out my Alpine less than any other bike I've had - it rides better fully open and whereas I'd lock out previous bikes on fireroad climbs, I don't feel the need with the Orange, and only really do so on the road.

In terms of the way they ride, they are very different to multi pivot bikes but certainly no worse, just different. I found I needed to spend time getting the shock setup; more time for certain than previous bikes.

But...once you've dialled it in they are superb. The Five or the Alpine (new models) have little between them really and depends what riding you want to do. Mine does everything from trails to DH uplifts and races and its as long, if not longer, than some DH bikes.

They don't represent great value at full price but ex-demo (which mine was/is) they compare well. Someone has already mentioned the sale on Orange's website today and there were some real bargains on there which are now gone, unsurprisingly.

I'd definitely advise a demo on one. I was all set to buy a Nomad but after riding the Alpine couldn't justify what the additional £1k was going to get me. It is quicker everywhere than my last bike (Specialized Enduro 29er) and knowing I get use, abuse and then jetwash it is nice - 2 bearings compared to the 12 on my Specialized makes them a consumable item!!

Notorious100HP

301 posts

217 months

Friday 27th November 2015
quotequote all
Mr Gearchange said:
In the main no.
Lapierre have a Ei system that sets up the shock based on what the fork encounters and the level of cadence.
If you are pedalling and the fork isn't dealing with big impacts the shock will lock out - or at least go into 'pro-pedal' mode. If you aren't pedalling and the fork is encountering a lot of big compressions it will move into the open position. Or something like that..
Thanks. I demoed one of the Lapierrre's a couple of years ago. Demoed it right into a tree.

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

189 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
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I've had my 26" Five for nearly 4 years now and have to say I very rarely lock the shock out, it's an RP23 Kashima so nothing particularly amazing, and I'm heavy. I totally get the 5 thing but even the guys I ride with who have various bikes and wheel sizes are all impressed.

As for not seeing them any more, I've noticed that too. I put it down to Santa Cruz's current popularity, as the bike of choice for fat blokes with too much money. Tongue firmly in cheek here as a fat bloke myself who spent a lot of money on a bike. I'm also quite happy to admit to being a bit of a snob, and the idea of a Canyon is horrific, it's the bike equivalent of Kia!

In all seriousness didn't the 2016 5 come 2nd in Pinkbikes bike of the year thing recently? I saw something to that effect on the Orange Facebook page.


P-Jay

10,565 posts

191 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
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missing the VR6 said:
In all seriousness didn't the 2016 5 come 2nd in Pinkbikes bike of the year thing recently? I saw something to that effect on the Orange Facebook page.
Didn't make the shortlist I'm afraid.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-awards-trail...

To be fair though, Pinkbike is primarily a North American site and the short-list reflects that - Orange don't have any dealers in the US or Canada at the moment.

MBR always used to luuuuuuuuuvre Orange and especially the 5. It won a couple of their "bike of the year awards" a few years ago.

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

189 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
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P-Jay said:
missing the VR6 said:
In all seriousness didn't the 2016 5 come 2nd in Pinkbikes bike of the year thing recently? I saw something to that effect on the Orange Facebook page.
Didn't make the shortlist I'm afraid.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-awards-trail...

To be fair though, Pinkbike is primarily a North American site and the short-list reflects that - Orange don't have any dealers in the US or Canada at the moment.

MBR always used to luuuuuuuuuvre Orange and especially the 5. It won a couple of their "bike of the year awards" a few years ago.
Fair enough, this section of PH is the nearest I get to a bike forum. Like I said I saw something on FB a few weeks ago, couldn't be sure though.

Just checked it was Singletrack magazine.

Edited by missing the VR6 on Wednesday 2nd December 17:35

ben_h100

Original Poster:

1,546 posts

179 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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Well I've ordered the bike. Added a dropper post and went for a funky bright orange colour. Pics to follow, I can't wait.

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

189 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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ben_h100 said:
Well I've ordered the bike. Added a dropper post and went for a funky bright orange colour. Pics to follow, I can't wait.
Sounds nice, was it Pro spec?

Just to say I added the Hope Headset from the factory when I bought mine and it's still the original which is now nearly 4 years old. So much better than anything I've ever experienced before. I'd say for £60 well worth the money.

Edited by missing the VR6 on Thursday 3rd December 16:29

ben_h100

Original Poster:

1,546 posts

179 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
Went for the Pro, it is the 'base' model but means I can upgrade components later on. The spec is decent enough to keep me going for now smile

Upgrades are a stealth reverb, RS finishing kit (better saddle, race face bars and stem).

Atomic orange is the particular name of the colour. As close to the 'neon' orange that they used to do.

Now all I need to do is find a new bike for the missus before christmas. £1500, full sus?