The only question - Which bike to buy?
1340jas
Posts: 217
I hope a few of you out there on the tinterweb can help?
I have been riding mountain bikes for about the past 12 yrs. All hard tails.
I have now reached the stage where a bad back has meant a full sus will allow me to keep riding. Most of my rides are at Cwm Carn and Afan. I ride to CC about 10 miles away from home. I think I need something slightly more heavy duty than a cross country bike as i do like nice rocky down hill bits. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices.
1. Orange 5 S ( with hope brakes )
2. Trek Fuel EX8
The advice I get from LBS is dependant on which make/makes they stock.
I might be completly wrong in my choices so if you could confuse me or offer advice it will be most greatfuly received.
Any body who owns either bike and has a view please take the time to add your comments.
Many Thanks
I have been riding mountain bikes for about the past 12 yrs. All hard tails.
I have now reached the stage where a bad back has meant a full sus will allow me to keep riding. Most of my rides are at Cwm Carn and Afan. I ride to CC about 10 miles away from home. I think I need something slightly more heavy duty than a cross country bike as i do like nice rocky down hill bits. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices.
1. Orange 5 S ( with hope brakes )
2. Trek Fuel EX8
The advice I get from LBS is dependant on which make/makes they stock.
I might be completly wrong in my choices so if you could confuse me or offer advice it will be most greatfuly received.
Any body who owns either bike and has a view please take the time to add your comments.
Many Thanks
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Comments
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I`m in the same boat - looking for a new bike and am undecided but, have narrowed mine down to three.
1. Orange 5
2. Trek Fuel EX 9
3. Bionicon Edison/Golden Willow
I`m planning on giving them all a test-ride before committing but any advice from present owners would be appreciated.
1340JAS For your information, there is a shop in Newport selling Bionicons and have a demo bike available.0 -
Test ride and decide.
If dealer won't allow it then that helps narrow the choice.
You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive - would you?Racing is life - everything else is just waiting0 -
Don't most bike shops charge for test rides though?0
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A few more unenlightened shops charge for test rides - like Chevin Cycles. They didn't get any business from me and I went and spent by £2K somewhere else that did offer free test rides.Commencal Meta 5.5.1
Scott CR10 -
I ride an '06 Orange 5 (with a few upgrades!)
If you get a Fox Fork go for the RLC, not the R, it can dive quite easily under braking.
Fit a slightly shorter stem (I changed the 100mm Tioga for a 80mm On One one) for pin sharp handling.
If you are thinking of getting braided hoses sometime, get them factory fitted from new, as they can be a right PITA to thread through the swingarm.
Apart from that I love my 5, superb for singletrack, nailed on the descents & climbs really well. it's a great all-rounder which leaves you wondering how much the bike will take, you never feel near it's limits!
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I ride an 07 Orange 5 pro
Its been good as gold all year. even took it to morzine in august.
only thing that will need changing fairly quickly is the cheapo headset. mine only last 3 months.0 -
^^ ahh yeah I forgot about the headset, mine had a WTB piece of crap, now has a Ritchey Scuzzy Logic headset until I can afford a better one (Hope, CK...)0
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Thanks for the input guys.
Keep it coming. The comments re headsets etc are what I am looking for.
I will test ride both, but I think the most important thing is honest rider feadback, which you can only get from owner riders.0
