Orange Five - Any good?

[PH5121]

I've always liked the Orange Five, when I bought my current bike 12 years ago I wanted one, but it would have cost another £500 over the cost bike I was looking at (which was already £400 more than my actual budget). So I didn't get one and bought a Marin instead.

This appreciation of the '5' has stayed with me and over the years I've always looked wistfully at them. I've been hankering after a new full suspension bike for a while now and don't have a massive budget, around £1500. However for this I could have something new such as a Calibre Bossnut Triple B and some change or a second hand Five.

So my question is are they any good ? Or to put it another way, are there better bikes for an over weight middle aged man who likes to ride cross country (such as trails at Dalby & Grizedale Forests, Lake District etc) in comfort?

Is it daft for someone who lacks bike mechanicing skills to buy a second hand bike over a new one?

Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated.

TIA PH

[PH5121]

Thanks for the feed back on Orange Fives.

Unfortunately the money I had stashed for a new bike has been earmarked elsewhere due to unforseen circumstances. So yet again my ambition of getting a new bike is on hold.

It's not all bad though, I had a ride at Dalby Forest with my youngest lad on Friday and I still enjoy riding my old Marin.

At this rate I'll probably end up keeping it until something terminal breaks on it, as in the last couple of years I've spent £300 on repairs and replacing worn out bits.
Another £100 needs spending on new tyres and handle bar grips. It's money I could put to a new bike and I've been holding off getting them, but the old parts are worn out.

I need to spend more time pedalling and lose some lard, rather than spending the time obsessing about what new(er) shiny bike I'd like to get that I cannot afford!

Edited by PH5121 on Monday 5th November 11:38