Cove,Genesis or Orange?

[s4avant]

I am thinking of buying a steel framed hardtail for light cross country/ trail use and have narrowed the choice down to a Cove Handjob,Genesis Altitude 30 or an Orange P7 Pro.
All are similarly priced and specced.
Any thoughts as to the best of these three?

[Mr MoJo]

No idea, but I like the sound of the first one

HTH

[mat205125]

I used ti have a P7 and it was a great bike.

[mark.h]

Always Orange, although im a bit patriotic and have lived with them for years. I know lots of people with very old Orange frames that are still fine, for me the only thing to consider would be the colour id want it in.

[.Adam.]

I've got 2 Oranges, my old one is a 15 year old P7 that is still going strong! How about a Cotic Soul? Mates got a Soda and is a really nice frame, and they are British too.

[pastrana72]

I have a Cove Handjob, and without being to biased, I would say it is stunning, went out on it last night, and i think it is a bike I will keep forever, it is so good, mine is specced light for XC/ all day trials. It is perfect for it , compliments my Cove Stiffee FR built up for Freeride/heavy/strong, perfectly. Get a 06 onwards HJ frame, as it is tweaked for longer travel.

Or if you have the funds a Cove Hummer, it is fantastic, but very expensive, hence i bought the HJ.

[mk1fan]

Steel Hardtail eh?

Well, you're in luck cause there are loads around to choose from. From the three you quoted I'd go for the Handjob. I've had one (a 2003 corrected for 100mm travel) and it was awesome. As said, post '06 models have been corrected to run up to 130mm travel.

The Orange is also very good. Genisis have also been well received.

You may want to look at On-One's 'Inbred 456' - handles very well but heavy and poor paint finish. A Dialed Bikes 'Prince Albert' rides well, like a '456', but with better paint finish and cable routing (not that the '456' has bad cable routing).

Finally, have a look at a Pipedreams 'Sirus' and a Rock Lobster 'Team Tig 853'. Great frames but corrected for 100mm forks.

Of all the above - I'd have a Handjob again, in fact I'll get one tomorrow! Now, where are those spare forks of mine?

[Nick_F]

Rock Lobsters are pretty awesome value at the moment - look for the Tig Team 08 Limited Edition which has full XT, Fox 32s and a Race Face chainset for under a grand with either 853 or alu frame.

I have one on order, although it's the standard build, not the LE.

[s4avant]

Thanks for all your comments!
The Cove,when priced up,was getting too expensive and I have settled with the Genesis as it seems to have a lighter and stronger frame than the Orange with a very similar spec.
No part exchange in the local shop however.
It would be great to see a good source of secondhand bikes other than E Bay.

[mk1fan]

Singletrack World has a good classifieds section but things move fast. There's been a number of complete Handjobs on there recently too.

I'd be very surprised if the Genisis had a stronger frame than the Orange.