Orange Five or YT Capra....Can't decide
Orange Five or YT Capra....Can't decide
Author
Discussion

jenkotvr

Original Poster:

688 posts

203 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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Folks, having been a loyal fan of Orange for best part of 6yrs, I'm undecided if I should upgrade to the latest '16 Five or try something different I.E Capra.

What do you reckon? The reviews of the Capra seem awesome.
But will I miss the reliability of the Five.....confused

P-Jay

11,401 posts

220 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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A few of my friends have Capra's and they've been totally reliable and can take a huge amount of abuse, their after-sales is known to be less than great though.

Big bikes though, more than travel than a 5 of course but more than that they're very slack and racy, I very nearly bought one, but in the end went for an Intense T275 as its a little steeper and more of an all-rounder... (But I kind of wish I bought a Capra).

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

235 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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The Capra will be a better bike in every respect - pound for pound it will have a far better spec, will climb better, descend better, jump better. I've got 2 YT bikes and they have been totally reliable
But it ultimately comes down to which you want more. If you really want to own the latest 5 then nothing else will do.

jenkotvr

Original Poster:

688 posts

203 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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Great thanks Folks - Just cementing what I presumed about the Capra.
Just wish I could try one.

d8mok

1,950 posts

234 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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They had a demo day at sherwood pines a month or so back. I tried one on a flat bit of trail/for 5 minutes ish and it seemed nice but overkill for most people/trails at 170mm and how slack they are. Build quality and kit is better than orange in my opinion.

Last year i had a orange five and wanted to upgrade to either a capra or bronson. Went with the SC in the end and very happy with it as its a good all rounder.

Minnsy

415 posts

296 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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Went from Five to Capra... first outing for the Capra was Coed y Brenin (last visit a few years back was on the Orange). Orange was truly 'tangoed' on everything.
Went to Morzine in 2015 on the Orange, just come back from Morzine, having taking the Capra... same story. Capra far more capable. Better at everything including crashing... (though that's in part to the numpty on the saddle)

One thing... steep technical climbs, then probably the Orange... (but I have a Hardtail for those occasions)

I have the base level Capra, and it's really very good...

Pablo16v

2,900 posts

226 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
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As per the above posts the Capra really needs to be going down fast steep techy terrain before it starts to make sense, which isn’t surprising considering it has 160/170mm travel, and even then it does it very efficiently which can get in the way of fun sometimes. If you’re riding a mix of stuff, including XC and trail centres etc, then a new 5 probably makes more sense, but if you do a lot of DH techy stuff then the Capra is definitely a good bet.
However, if you do go for the Capra I would check the sizing carefully as they are a bit on the short side compared to most modern long travel bikes (the large is a good bit shorter than a medium Giant Reign for example), and even the 5 is usefully longer in all sizes.

garylythgoe

831 posts

251 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
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My Capra arrived a couple of weeks back:-



It's FAR more capable than I am, but the value for money/kit/spec is untouchable, and after a 2.5year break from biking, I hit some trails with my friends last week and within a couple of runs I felt completely at home on it.

I sold all my bikes (DH, XC, Road) as I wasn't using them enough and wanted one bike which I could use with my friends and go out for a cycle with the Mrs. We've had 2 trips to the pub, and I can confirm it does the pedalling stuff ok too.

It's given me the bug again...


FD3Si

857 posts

173 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
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Think about what you really need in a bike. I've had my capra a few months now and I'm starting to think it's just too much for the 90% of riding I do, and am considering 'down travelling' to a Transition Scout.

TheTrash

1,860 posts

235 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
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I was going to get a Jeffsy but they sold all the the Alu SRAM spec'd ones in my size. They wouldn't make me one with the different colour frame as "they don't do customs" and couldn't tell me when the 2017 models would be out so I ended up going for a Five which I've really enjoyed so far.

MurderousCrow

434 posts

179 months

Friday 12th August 2016
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jenkotvr said:
Folks, having been a loyal fan of Orange for best part of 6yrs, I'm undecided if I should upgrade to the latest '16 Five or try something different I.E Capra.

What do you reckon? The reviews of the Capra seem awesome.
But will I miss the reliability of the Five.....confused
I've had a similar conundrum over the last few weeks. Was very tempted by the spec of the Capra (as well as the Canyon equivalent Strive Race). But the current Euro exchange rate means the continental direct sales like YT Canyon and Commencal are not quite the amazing deal they used to be. Eventually decided to look at the offerings from local bike shops; after-sales was a crux issue this being my first full-sus bike, and I'm not clued-in with bike mechanics in any way.

I looked at the Orbea Rallon, Banshee Rune and finally the 2017 Whyte G160. I'm pretty much settled on the Whyte with a deposit down, barring any nasty surprises it's 'the one'. It just seems to be an excellent combination of great spec and reliability. They give a lifetime original owner warranty on their bearings, which is just as well as they're expensive. British designed and owned, with a fantastic rep for customer care which swayed me too. Lovely, elegant looking bike, mine is not in the UK for another 10 days and I'm really impatient to get it. LBS has chucked in a pair of Hope FR20 pedals for free too.

joshleb

1,550 posts

173 months

Friday 12th August 2016
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Surely the new Alpine is more of a comparison?

Mate loved his Capra, went from a Transition TR250 to it, but he's recently got a new Remedy and he says it's a completely different level of bike!

Another mate of mine bought the Capra, sourced a second hand SC Nomad frame, put the parts across he could and sold the Capra frame on for nigh on the same price as the Nomad frame.

ben_h100

1,550 posts

208 months

Friday 12th August 2016
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Five owner here - personally I love it and it does everything I need. Bombproof and easy to look after.

Looking back I could've bought a decent SC (bronson) for the money, but I am very happy with it nonetheless. It is a very capable bike. Can see me having it for years.

The 2016 Five 'Pro-Line' is worth a look if you are looking at the Orange range.

jenkotvr

Original Poster:

688 posts

203 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
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Cheers folks for your input.
Just returned from Morzine and can see the Capra at home on that sort of terrain....UK maybe over kill?

I do love the Five, any idea of what the weight would be with FOX 36's (160)?
The Capra is showing 28lb which I think is excellent.

phil-sti

2,975 posts

208 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
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Banshee Rune if you want an big bike that goes down faster than Lindsay Logan, Banshee Spitfire if you want a slimline Runw.

jenkotvr

Original Poster:

688 posts

203 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
quotequote all
phil-sti said:
Banshee Rune if you want an big bike that goes down faster than Lindsay Logan, Banshee Spitfire if you want a slimline Runw.
Looks a nice bit of kit.

phil-sti

2,975 posts

208 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
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brilliant bikes