Final Shortlist - Superlight +120 forks, Orange 5 Pro
Airmiles
Posts: 101
Sizes are the same, specs are the same (well, length of fork aside - F120 RLC vs Float RLC), cost is the same... but the superlight should be 2lbs lighter.
I think, for most of what I do (all-day rides, Leith Hill, Afan/Coed, trailquest), the superlight is the way to go.
At the end of the day it's a compromise between climbing and singletrack snappiness vs descending confidence, and either would be such an improvement over my hardtail w. 80mm they should improve my confidence downhill/on drops no end, and I'd be more likely to curse the weight/lack of precision of the extra travel than miss it.
The F120 gets such good press it almost seems that a well-damped 120 fork probably beats a 140 anyway.
It's not as if I'm about to turn into a hucker - I'm mostly a roadie these days... and at 10st 10 I really don't feel I need the extra strength of the Orange, never mind e.g. a Heckler
Anyone ridden both? Anyone ridden a Superlight with a 120 fork rather than the standard 100?
A meaningful back-to-back demo simply isn't going to happen - the only decent demo location I can find for the Orange is Afan, and the Superlight Glentress -and that's before you start throwing custom specs and the F120 into the mix. I'm in London...
I think, for most of what I do (all-day rides, Leith Hill, Afan/Coed, trailquest), the superlight is the way to go.
At the end of the day it's a compromise between climbing and singletrack snappiness vs descending confidence, and either would be such an improvement over my hardtail w. 80mm they should improve my confidence downhill/on drops no end, and I'd be more likely to curse the weight/lack of precision of the extra travel than miss it.
The F120 gets such good press it almost seems that a well-damped 120 fork probably beats a 140 anyway.
It's not as if I'm about to turn into a hucker - I'm mostly a roadie these days... and at 10st 10 I really don't feel I need the extra strength of the Orange, never mind e.g. a Heckler
Anyone ridden both? Anyone ridden a Superlight with a 120 fork rather than the standard 100?
A meaningful back-to-back demo simply isn't going to happen - the only decent demo location I can find for the Orange is Afan, and the Superlight Glentress -and that's before you start throwing custom specs and the F120 into the mix. I'm in London...
I'm not saying pedestrians in Hackney are stupid.. but a fixed bayonet would be more use than a fixed gear...
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Not ridden a superlight, but I do have an Orange 5, bought as an 's' spec with upgrades it weighs in at 29lb. It is a top bit of kit for singletrack, pretty stiff frame, very good on the ups & the downs. It makes me grin from ear to ear!
Both bikes are aimed at slightly different disciplines, the Santa Cruz is more of an xc/marathon bike, whereas the Orange is more of a trail/all mountain bike.
I ride red & black trails all over the country on the 5 & some of the rides are 30+ miles long and pretty technical in places, for me the 5 is the perfect machine for the job.
Both bikes should be tested, even if not back to back, it will help you decide which is best for you.
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Airmiles - I'm looking at an Orange Five myself - which shop does demo rides at Afan?0
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Skyline cycles (based in Glyncorrwg) run demos at Afan although their website currently states Orange demo bikes are coming soon. I'm also looking for an Orange 5 demo
I did notice that they have superlight demo bike too, so you could kill two birds with one stone AIRMILES0 -
Ah - great spot - thanks!
Somehow I'd not spotted the Santa Cruz's when I was in there last- too taken by the Orange and the Overpricedolais.
Looks like a day off work required for "Xmas shopping"!!I'm not saying pedestrians in Hackney are stupid.. but a fixed bayonet would be more use than a fixed gear...0
