Orange Bikes Four RS: PH Fleet
Discussion
Following on from our last update http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=162... on the new PH fleet Orange mountain bike, I've had more opportunities to use and enjoy the bike. Read on for more impressions of "our" Orange Four RS!
Lights at the ready!
Winter Warrior
As predicted previously, the weather has indeed taken a turn for the worse, perfectly coinciding with me having more opportunities to ride the Four. Typical, but in fairness I've been mountain biking in the UK for long enough to have become at least slightly hardened to a bit of mud. So too has Orange's design philosophy; simple, single pivots mean less to go wrong after being caked in mud after all!
Another telling sign of Orange's UK heritage is the ample mud clearance provided by the rear end of the bike, no doubt helped by the "boost" spacing of the rear axle. What's boost I hear you say?... in short bike designers have recently started adopting a wider hub spacing, which makes for stronger wheels and allows rear swing arms to be shorter without sacrificing mud clearance. The Four utilises this technology to great effect, benefitting from the nimble handling and playfulness associated with a short "back end", yet not struggling when things get claggy.
Finding somewhere to mount battery packs without them rattling can be challenging
Along with the recent change in seasons, I've also got back into the routine of charging my lights and faffing around trying to attach them to the bike as neatly as possible. I personally enjoy night riding and the challenges it brings, but I know some people don't feel the same! Anyway, with lights and "marsh guard" mud guard attached, the Four feels very much the winter warrior and unsurprisingly was every bit as much fun as you'd guess it would be. I'm also starting to appreciate the bike's light weight too; bikes only get heavier when covered in mud so it helps to have a low starting point, especially when climbing.
Getting slack
I'm definitely getting used to the bike now too, and feel very comfortable attacking trails and hitting jumps and drops - even in the dark. The bike is very neutral in how it handles, and definitely gives you a sense of security and safety that is similar to that experienced on longer travel machinery. I've mentioned it before, but this is down to the bike's slack geometry, which is not dissimilar to most long travel bikes. I've also learnt that whilst occasionally I find myself barrelling into sections slightly too "enthusiastically" (only to be reminded of the bike's relative lack of suspension travel by the awful sound of the bike bottoming out!), the Four is more than capable of shrugging big hits off and always feels ready for more.
Overall the specification on the bike is pretty much ideal for UK riding, but thanks to Orange's ability to customise bikes any potential owners can pick and choose the parts that arrive on their shiny new bikes. So far I've changed only the grips, but that's less of a reflection of the supplied "Strange" branded lock on grips and more to do with me being fussy. However, a few parts are starting to show some problems...
Simply ready to go!
Get the spanners out
First up, the Rock Shox reverb "Stealth" dropper seat post has developed some play and clearly needs some maintenance. In fairness this shouldn't reflect badly on Orange as it is an off the shelf part and is widely regarded as being as-good-as-it-gets for dropper seat posts. None of this should pose too much of a problem though as handily the bike came with a bleeding kit and the manufacturer has an excellent range of videos on youtube to guide you through servicing its products.
The second casualty is the bottom bracket. Funnily enough I have the same Race Face "Cinch" style cranks and bottom bracket on another bike, and the BB failed after just a few hundred miles on that bike. This time around the BB hasn't failed, but it has developed a really annoying creak that is only getting worse. I'm going to try and pull the cranks off and see if a clean and re-grease helps, but experience tells me a better quality replacement BB is likely to be the only real long term fix.
Next up; more riding!
Once those small fixes are in place I'll be back out on the trail. We'll also soon be announcing the date for our Official PH Mountain bike ride, which will be at Swinley. If anyone would like a go on the Four on the day, that can be arranged. Incidentally, whilst I remember I should say hi to fellow PHer Tom, who I met in the car park at Swinley a few weeks back. I hope you can make it along to our official ride!
JD
Lights at the ready!
Winter Warrior
As predicted previously, the weather has indeed taken a turn for the worse, perfectly coinciding with me having more opportunities to ride the Four. Typical, but in fairness I've been mountain biking in the UK for long enough to have become at least slightly hardened to a bit of mud. So too has Orange's design philosophy; simple, single pivots mean less to go wrong after being caked in mud after all!
Another telling sign of Orange's UK heritage is the ample mud clearance provided by the rear end of the bike, no doubt helped by the "boost" spacing of the rear axle. What's boost I hear you say?... in short bike designers have recently started adopting a wider hub spacing, which makes for stronger wheels and allows rear swing arms to be shorter without sacrificing mud clearance. The Four utilises this technology to great effect, benefitting from the nimble handling and playfulness associated with a short "back end", yet not struggling when things get claggy.
Finding somewhere to mount battery packs without them rattling can be challenging
Along with the recent change in seasons, I've also got back into the routine of charging my lights and faffing around trying to attach them to the bike as neatly as possible. I personally enjoy night riding and the challenges it brings, but I know some people don't feel the same! Anyway, with lights and "marsh guard" mud guard attached, the Four feels very much the winter warrior and unsurprisingly was every bit as much fun as you'd guess it would be. I'm also starting to appreciate the bike's light weight too; bikes only get heavier when covered in mud so it helps to have a low starting point, especially when climbing.
Getting slack
I'm definitely getting used to the bike now too, and feel very comfortable attacking trails and hitting jumps and drops - even in the dark. The bike is very neutral in how it handles, and definitely gives you a sense of security and safety that is similar to that experienced on longer travel machinery. I've mentioned it before, but this is down to the bike's slack geometry, which is not dissimilar to most long travel bikes. I've also learnt that whilst occasionally I find myself barrelling into sections slightly too "enthusiastically" (only to be reminded of the bike's relative lack of suspension travel by the awful sound of the bike bottoming out!), the Four is more than capable of shrugging big hits off and always feels ready for more.
Overall the specification on the bike is pretty much ideal for UK riding, but thanks to Orange's ability to customise bikes any potential owners can pick and choose the parts that arrive on their shiny new bikes. So far I've changed only the grips, but that's less of a reflection of the supplied "Strange" branded lock on grips and more to do with me being fussy. However, a few parts are starting to show some problems...
Simply ready to go!
Get the spanners out
First up, the Rock Shox reverb "Stealth" dropper seat post has developed some play and clearly needs some maintenance. In fairness this shouldn't reflect badly on Orange as it is an off the shelf part and is widely regarded as being as-good-as-it-gets for dropper seat posts. None of this should pose too much of a problem though as handily the bike came with a bleeding kit and the manufacturer has an excellent range of videos on youtube to guide you through servicing its products.
The second casualty is the bottom bracket. Funnily enough I have the same Race Face "Cinch" style cranks and bottom bracket on another bike, and the BB failed after just a few hundred miles on that bike. This time around the BB hasn't failed, but it has developed a really annoying creak that is only getting worse. I'm going to try and pull the cranks off and see if a clean and re-grease helps, but experience tells me a better quality replacement BB is likely to be the only real long term fix.
Next up; more riding!
Once those small fixes are in place I'll be back out on the trail. We'll also soon be announcing the date for our Official PH Mountain bike ride, which will be at Swinley. If anyone would like a go on the Four on the day, that can be arranged. Incidentally, whilst I remember I should say hi to fellow PHer Tom, who I met in the car park at Swinley a few weeks back. I hope you can make it along to our official ride!
JD
Reverb going a knacker and press fit BB creaking shocker!
Unfortunately, 2 very common things. Is it side to side or up and down play on the reverb?
The BB, well, it'll probably need removing and regreasing
On the plus side, you'll probably get used to this as they've got a habit of doing it. Might as well buy the tool to save shop fees! On the other hand the RF BB bearings will probably die soon, so good opportunity to change! I don't know if Hope do a PF BB, but they certainly do a threaded one that fits the 30mm Cinch axles.
Unfortunately, 2 very common things. Is it side to side or up and down play on the reverb?
The BB, well, it'll probably need removing and regreasing
On the plus side, you'll probably get used to this as they've got a habit of doing it. Might as well buy the tool to save shop fees! On the other hand the RF BB bearings will probably die soon, so good opportunity to change! I don't know if Hope do a PF BB, but they certainly do a threaded one that fits the 30mm Cinch axles.
Ah, my bad, for some reason I had it in my mind they were PF30.
In that case, I'd highly recommend one of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/hope-mtb...
It's what I run and no complaints. I originally had an e13 one and the bearing crapped out in a matter of months. RF ones have the same reputation. They aren't cheap, but I have no issues at all in paying for Hope quality. Never lets me down.
In that case, I'd highly recommend one of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/hope-mtb...
It's what I run and no complaints. I originally had an e13 one and the bearing crapped out in a matter of months. RF ones have the same reputation. They aren't cheap, but I have no issues at all in paying for Hope quality. Never lets me down.
Another vote for a Hope BB, my Stumpjumper BB lasted about 75 miles, one or two rides through muddy puddles and it was grinding away on every peddle stroke.
I fitted a Hope BB about 3000 miles ago and it's still as good as new.
I love the Orange brand, great to see a Brit brand making decent bikes, bloody ugly though, I can't see past that swing arm.
I follow Ben Moore on FB and Insta, a local rider who is sponsored by Orange.
I fitted a Hope BB about 3000 miles ago and it's still as good as new.
I love the Orange brand, great to see a Brit brand making decent bikes, bloody ugly though, I can't see past that swing arm.
I follow Ben Moore on FB and Insta, a local rider who is sponsored by Orange.
richardxjr said:
James, reverb, Couple mm side-to-side play is normal, anything excessive though = warranty. Check air pressure regularly though, keep it topped to 250psi. Symptoms are sluggish operation.
Never had to bleed mine, nor mates.
Thanks, it definitely needs a bleed - it has gone spoungey when extended. Sadly I know all too well about the side to side play - think I've owned 5 or 6 reverbs since they came out and they've all done it. Interestingly I've also got a KS Lev and (when serviced and in prime condition) it has less play and I'd argue works better than the reverb. The downside is that it needs servicing more as the cable actuation is more susceptible.Never had to bleed mine, nor mates.
Anyway, should only take a few mins to service the post and it'll be good to go again.
JD
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