What's so good about Orange 5's

[baxb]

cliff123 said:

Have you considered a Stumpjumper FSR? Fantastic bikes, but it seems they are almost going out of fashion, simply because they are so good and became so popular a year ago. As I'm sure your aware. Only way to really know how good a bike is, is to get out there and test them. Enjoy.

A pal of mine has an '08 Stumpy Expert FSR & loves the thing, I have had a very brief ride on his, but I suppose I just wanted something different & having looked at this years model in plain black, just doesn't do it for me. I had a sit on a 2010 Marin Mount Vision 5.8 yesterday at cycle surgery in Brum & it just didn't fit me, they had a 5 Pro in stock but the wrong size so no point having a sit on that. I'll be back down to LBS on my day off on Tuesday to have a proper look at a 5 & the Trek. Thanks for the comments guys.

[Master Mischief]

Gooby said:

I dont want to question your taste of bikes because it is very personal BUT what you have said is a bike that is briliant when pushed hard is better than one that is brilliant fun at all speeds and terrains?

How can a bike be fun at all speeds and on all terrain? Riding slowly down a smooth track is pleasant and enjoyable but I cannot see how one bike could be more fun than another short of having a kids novelty bike.

The Trance X feels very comfortable in such a situation but it has so much more to give that it is not really trying, if that makes sense. It does however respond immediately if you up the ante.

I rode Llandegla on Saturday ad certainly did not hang around. I have also ridden Cwm Carn, Coed y Brenin, Marin, Penmachno, High Peaks, etc over the last few months. This is where its capability astounds in my opinion, everywhere else that I have ridden has been pleasant and the bike has certainly not hindered my performance but likewise I am not tested its performance.

For a bike to feel great fun at low speed on gentle terrain would (in my opinion) make it terrifying at high speed or on tough terrain.

You may be referring to a bike encouraging high speed antics all of the time and I have not really experienced this although I have read reviews suggesting this. I would not say the Giant makes you want to go fast (ie not go slow) because it is comfortable in that situation. It does however totally reward me when I do push it. These may be the same thing but from a different viewpoint I suppose.

Does that kind of answer your question? It makes sense in the messed up place that is my head.

[Gooby]

Master Mischief said:

Gooby said:

I dont want to question your taste of bikes because it is very personal BUT what you have said is a bike that is briliant when pushed hard is better than one that is brilliant fun at all speeds and terrains?

How can a bike be fun at all speeds and on all terrain? Riding slowly down a smooth track is pleasant and enjoyable but I cannot see how one bike could be more fun than another short of having a kids novelty bike.

The Trance X feels very comfortable in such a situation but it has so much more to give that it is not really trying, if that makes sense. It does however respond immediately if you up the ante.

I rode Llandegla on Saturday ad certainly did not hang around. I have also ridden Cwm Carn, Coed y Brenin, Marin, Penmachno, High Peaks, etc over the last few months. This is where its capability astounds in my opinion, everywhere else that I have ridden has been pleasant and the bike has certainly not hindered my performance but likewise I am not tested its performance.

For a bike to feel great fun at low speed on gentle terrain would (in my opinion) make it terrifying at high speed or on tough terrain.

You may be referring to a bike encouraging high speed antics all of the time and I have not really experienced this although I have read reviews suggesting this. I would not say the Giant makes you want to go fast (ie not go slow) because it is comfortable in that situation. It does however totally reward me when I do push it. These may be the same thing but from a different viewpoint I suppose.

Does that kind of answer your question? It makes sense in the messed up place that is my head.

The Orange 5 has a superb frame, think of it as an Elise chassis, the liz is so much fun at any speed. It may not be the fastest car ever invented but so what, if going fast was the only criteria for a great bike then they would be designed very differently. We ride as a recreation and to put a smile on our face. That is what the 5 does. Lets face it at the moment when the ground has reached saturation point so everywhere is wet, muddy and slippery, going really quick is not sensible (for mere mortals) you have to get your fun in a different way.

I came down a rocky 2 mile long hill yesterday on the turner. People regularly reach 45-50mph on this hill in the dry hard pack of summer, yesterday that was not possible of sensible. The turner was the fastest and a friend did his best to overtake on the inside of the last and fastest bend. As I had the line I could see that the cows had been all over the bend and it was knee deep in st, mud and straw. He then crapped himself and had a "flavoursome grin" and was damn lucky to keep upright. We were probably doing 20mph. 6-8 months of the year we are plowing through mud and soft (slow) ground. Over half of the ride we are going uphill (because it takes longer to go up then down, unless you are tinkerbell on his 'pierre)

Balls out fast bikes that are only fun when going at 100% of your ability are not fun, you then have to get them up a hill, if you can get up that hill with a smile then your ride is far more satisfying.

Bikes taste is very personal, people dont like the 'liz, people dont like the Orange 5, does not make them rubbish.

Go to your orange dealer, demo a 5 for a week, if you get it you will love it, if not, climb back on the trance. Please believe me, I am not saying the trance is a rubbish bike, just personal choice.

[Master Mischief]

Gooby said:

The Orange 5 has a superb frame, think of it as an Elise chassis, the liz is so much fun at any speed. It may not be the fastest car ever invented but so what, if going fast was the only criteria for a great bike then they would be designed very differently. We ride as a recreation and to put a smile on our face. That is what the 5 does. Lets face it at the moment when the ground has reached saturation point so everywhere is wet, muddy and slippery, going really quick is not sensible (for mere mortals) you have to get your fun in a different way.

I came down a rocky 2 mile long hill yesterday on the turner. People regularly reach 45-50mph on this hill in the dry hard pack of summer, yesterday that was not possible of sensible. The turner was the fastest and a friend did his best to overtake on the inside of the last and fastest bend. As I had the line I could see that the cows had been all over the bend and it was knee deep in st, mud and straw. He then crapped himself and had a "flavoursome grin" and was damn lucky to keep upright. We were probably doing 20mph. 6-8 months of the year we are plowing through mud and soft (slow) ground. Over half of the ride we are going uphill (because it takes longer to go up then down, unless you are tinkerbell on his 'pierre)

Balls out fast bikes that are only fun when going at 100% of your ability are not fun, you then have to get them up a hill, if you can get up that hill with a smile then your ride is far more satisfying.

Bikes taste is very personal, people dont like the 'liz, people dont like the Orange 5, does not make them rubbish.

Go to your orange dealer, demo a 5 for a week, if you get it you will love it, if not, climb back on the trance. Please believe me, I am not saying the trance is a rubbish bike, just personal choice.

I suspect that we have got crossed wires. The Giant is not a balls out downhill bike by any stretch of imagination. I am, like you, enjoy the whole ride. The Giants climb really well and I suppose what I meant earlier was that they are so efficient that they respond well to high speed antics up, down and through corners.

Funnily enough, I was going to compare it to an Elise, which is pleasant to drive slowly but the fun comes when going fast. Next time I ride in a group with someone that has an Orange Five I will blag a go.

I totally agree that choice is personal. I also think that there are very few bad bikes and that the majority are great. People generally only have the time to test a small number of bikes or decide on other factors but the vast majority like what they buy.

I do bang on a bit about the Giants but that is because a lot of people seem to overlook them for more fashionable alternatives.

In conclusion: OP, take some more test rides.

[Gooby]

Master Mischief said:

I do bang on a bit about the Giants but that is because a lot of people seem to overlook them for more fashionable alternatives.

In conclusion: OP, take some more test rides.

I have owned a giant, a Giant XTC carbon fibre hardtail, it was just a joy. I am a fan of Giant, they do make superb bikes.
I would like to persuade you that the Orange 5 is THE bike, only because I have had so much fun on mine. I do realise it is very subjective and you have to find a bike that suits your style.

[ratbane]

I've undertaken an experiment by GPSing a 20mile off road ride I do at Margam. I posted previously on Retrobike, as it was meant to show how my 99 Kona Explosif compares with a quality modern FS on varied trails. Uphill (firetracks, rooty, rocks), downhill (as left).

I was surprised that my Kona was faster over the 20m than the Orange 5 Pro, and more importantly was a better ride overall.

Since then I have undertaken the same test using an 09 Cannondale Rize. WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

Faster than both (in terms of actual time, and feel), and incredible fun. Much more visceral than the O5 IMO.

Feels like a trail/all mountain bike should. In particular, the uphill sections were a breeze compared to the O5. Considering that the conditions were worse during the 'dale ride, it was a better downhill bike too.

It's taken me over a year to convince myself that FS is right, and after riding most varieties, I was close to baling out, and sticking to hardtail....but the 'dale is a revelation.

My mind is made up, and I'm glad I waited, spent time testing, and didn't listen to the bike mags.

[P-Jay]

I've haven't rode one, but I've tried a Patriot AM and a 224 and some other single pivot bikes and I just can't get on with them, but the people who do seem to like them.

I think 2-3 years ago you could say they were uncompetivily priced, but the way the imported bikes have gone up and up they're on-the-money, they also come with lots of lovelly Hope stuff, also unlike a lot of more mainstream bikes there's no week points in the specs.

But.... I've spoken to my LBS loads of times about 5's and Patriots (they're an orange dealer). The only positive of the single pivot and ugly big swing arm is simplicity. They don't claim to be: lighter/stronger/better handling or anything other it's easy and cheep to change the barings.

[936ADL]

I love mine. Here's a pic.....



It's not been that clean for a good while.

I'm going to sign off 09's cycling on it in a couple of hours.

[FunkyCEO]

936 - are you forks on backwards?

[anonymous-user]

FunkyCEO said:

936 - are you forks on backwards?

Another one!

[anonymous-user]

I quite like the rugged agricultural look of the 5 with the big welded swingarm but it's certainly not a good looking bike like the ST-4.

Edited by el stovey on Thursday 31st December 09:47

[smifffymoto]

Who says the fork are wrong way round,too me that way makes more sense as the stantions and seals are abit better protected from ste off the front wheel.The only thing that is important is the axel sits the right way in the forks

[936ADL]

FunkyCEO,

Are you taking the p155?

[anonymous-user]

smifffymoto said:

Who says the fork are wrong way round,too me that way makes more sense as the stantions and seals are abit better protected from ste off the front wheel.The only thing that is important is the axel sits the right way in the forks

Are your front shocks this way around?

Edited by el stovey on Thursday 31st December 13:47

[.Adam.]

If his forks were on backwards then the brake caliper would be on the opposite side to what it is, I am guessing that they are DT Swiss forks or Manitou? e.g:

Edited by .Adam. on Thursday 31st December 14:41

[smifffymoto]

el stovey said:

smifffymoto said:

Who says the fork are wrong way round,too me that way makes more sense as the stantions and seals are abit better protected from ste off the front wheel.The only thing that is important is the axel sits the right way in the forks

Are your front shocks this way around?

Edited by el stovey on Thursday 31st December 13:47

My forks won't be any way round because I've decided on a RZ120 1(Lefty).I just neeed to agree a price with my LBS

[custardkid]

Had my sub5 for 6 yrs, mostly riding trail centres in wales and scotland, its still going strong.

its simple and reliable.

its british made (in Halifax)

it comes with lovely reliable, bristish Hope hubs and brakes

it rides like its on heat (konas also do this)

down side... its expensive

try the bikes and make you own mind up

custard

[dubbs]

If not mentioned already how about the Ibis Mojo?

I absolutely love mine, comfy all day, glides...no...FLOATS... over single track, it's brilliant.

Downside - I won't take it to Spain as those nasty point rocks will kill the carbon

For UK riding though it's perfectly suited and retains that lightness that allows you to power up those hills... DW link ensure you don't even need the pro-pedal turned on, the bike is so good you just don't lose the power when grinding up those hills.

I admit to not being a DHer or coming off 2foot+drop offs but for everything else I really can not fault it.

P.S Running RS Pike 531 U turn bolt-thru shocks.. front end is so much more solid than my last QR shock equipped bike.

[zebedee]

dubbs said:

If not mentioned already how about the Ibis Mojo?

I absolutely love mine, comfy all day, glides...no...FLOATS... over single track, it's brilliant.

Downside - I won't take it to Spain as those nasty point rocks will kill the carbon

For UK riding though it's perfectly suited and retains that lightness that allows you to power up those hills... DW link ensure you don't even need the pro-pedal turned on, the bike is so good you just don't lose the power when grinding up those hills.

I admit to not being a DHer or coming off 2foot+drop offs but for everything else I really can not fault it.

P.S Running RS Pike 531 U turn bolt-thru shocks.. front end is so much more solid than my last QR shock equipped bike.

Bit different pricewise to a 5 though isn't it? Mate has one, and it is very nice.

[baxb]

zebedee said:

dubbs said:

If not mentioned already how about the Ibis Mojo?

I absolutely love mine, comfy all day, glides...no...FLOATS... over single track, it's brilliant.

Downside - I won't take it to Spain as those nasty point rocks will kill the carbon

For UK riding though it's perfectly suited and retains that lightness that allows you to power up those hills... DW link ensure you don't even need the pro-pedal turned on, the bike is so good you just don't lose the power when grinding up those hills.

I admit to not being a DHer or coming off 2foot+drop offs but for everything else I really can not fault it.

P.S Running RS Pike 531 U turn bolt-thru shocks.. front end is so much more solid than my last QR shock equipped bike.

Bit different pricewise to a 5 though isn't it? Mate has one, and it is very nice.

Yep, looks lovely but way over budget. I have tried a Trek EX & it just didn't fit as well as the Giant so that's out. I haven't done anything yet about arranging a ride on the 5 but will do before the month is out. Thanks for the suggestions & i'll post up with whatever I go for.

Gooby - just saw the pics of the new one, i'd have been amazed if you'd gone for anything else. It looks fab, great colour.

Edited by baxb on Friday 8th January 22:03