What's so good about Orange 5's
Discussion
baxb said:
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.
Thanks, what happened is I slagged off any bike that wasnt an Orange 5, that way I ensured I made the right decision. Deluded? - probably, Happy? - you bet!I have spent the last few weeks test riding bikes because some person of indescriminate breeding stole my Orange 5 SE '08. I adored that bike. So it was the benchmark. I have tested commencal, trek, Gary fisher, specialized, turner, Santa cruz, lapierre and yeti. I have tested 29ers and standard wheelies.
The short story is that none of the others were a better package. Some had superior suspension, the DW link was incredible but for the 3% of the ride where the rear suspension was better than the '5 did not make up for the fact that for 97% of the ride where the single pivot of the 5 was as good, lighter and far more entertaining.
I purchased another Orange 5 SE with ceramic bearings, talas forks and maxle all round. The 2010 model is just superb. It feels more focused than the 08 model. It is more rigid and the adjusted geo is a delight. It climbs superbly, it down hills wonderfully and at 27lbs it is light enough. It crosses country like a dream. It is far and away the best quality ride with the best grin factor of any bike I have ridden.
Some bikes came close. Notably the yeti 575 and the turner 5spot. Both would need an extra £1500 to 2k spent on them to get the same kit level. Regardless of price they both had some glaring faults. The yeti had superb steering but the back end was wallowy. The 5spot had incredible rear sus but was boring as hell to ride on anything but large fast downhill.
There is some spec to get on the 5. Get the maxle front and rear. Get the talas forks and get XTR rapid shifters.
The short story is that none of the others were a better package. Some had superior suspension, the DW link was incredible but for the 3% of the ride where the rear suspension was better than the '5 did not make up for the fact that for 97% of the ride where the single pivot of the 5 was as good, lighter and far more entertaining.
I purchased another Orange 5 SE with ceramic bearings, talas forks and maxle all round. The 2010 model is just superb. It feels more focused than the 08 model. It is more rigid and the adjusted geo is a delight. It climbs superbly, it down hills wonderfully and at 27lbs it is light enough. It crosses country like a dream. It is far and away the best quality ride with the best grin factor of any bike I have ridden.
Some bikes came close. Notably the yeti 575 and the turner 5spot. Both would need an extra £1500 to 2k spent on them to get the same kit level. Regardless of price they both had some glaring faults. The yeti had superb steering but the back end was wallowy. The 5spot had incredible rear sus but was boring as hell to ride on anything but large fast downhill.
There is some spec to get on the 5. Get the maxle front and rear. Get the talas forks and get XTR rapid shifters.
Gooby said:
baxb said:
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.
Thanks, what happened is I slagged off any bike that wasnt an Orange 5, that way I ensured I made the right decision. Deluded? - probably, Happy? - you bet!
I've got an (older) Sub 5 and for me it's the handling; nimble and adjustable, yet stable. It also seems to be relatively tough - apart from the mechs, chains and brake pads nothing's really worn out on mine in 6 years of riding.
I think there's a bit mroe competition these days, but when I bought mine it was one of few bikes that combined relatively long travel, relatively hardcore ability and light weight. It was only really that and the Enduro that did 'Freeride Lite' back then.
The old Sub 5 frame works beautifully with a modern 130mm fork too, contrary to speculation.
I think there's a bit mroe competition these days, but when I bought mine it was one of few bikes that combined relatively long travel, relatively hardcore ability and light weight. It was only really that and the Enduro that did 'Freeride Lite' back then.
The old Sub 5 frame works beautifully with a modern 130mm fork too, contrary to speculation.
I put this on the back burner for a couple of months, but finally got on with it recently & my new Trance X1 should be with me by the end of next week. Of everything I tried it just seemed to fit me the best & dealt with the rough stuff exceptionally well.
Thanks for all the feedback guys & roll on June, as it's Wales (CyB & Machynlleth) 1st weekend & then Morzine for the PdS the last week.
Thanks for all the feedback guys & roll on June, as it's Wales (CyB & Machynlleth) 1st weekend & then Morzine for the PdS the last week.
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