Orange opinion?
DC01
Posts: 333
Hello all. Looking a getting a 09 5 pro with a few upgrades and wondered on your opinions. I ve riden one and was very impressed. Not many tests in magazines of there 09 5s. Any feedback would helpful especially if you ve got and had any problems. ta all for help.
0
Comments
-
you cant go wrong with a 5, one of the best trail bikes out there but there is the Meta 55 & Heckler...I tried all three and went for a Heckler and loved it.0
-
you cant go wrong with a 5, one of the best trail bikes out there but there is the Meta 55 & Heckler...I tried all three and went for a Heckler and loved it.0
-
I'm an ex '06 Orange 5 (got nicked) and current '07 Orange 5 rider.
They're very capable bikes and well worth the money (IMHO)
I've had no problems at all with either of my 5's
I would consider upgrading the forks to the RLC version of the Float fork, as the R version can dive a little under braking (no real biggie, but a more tunable fork is always a better option)
Apart from my personal preference for Sram, that's all I would change on the Pro spec (unless you go for the performance pack, which came on my ex demo 5.)
0 -
Was gonna upgrade to the RLC, the performance pack and probably the BB to Hope. Was even thinking about going with a brake upgrade too.0
-
I have the Hope mono minis (180mm/180mm) which are plenty of brake for my 11st odd weight, not sure on the new 'Tech' range, but I suspect that the standard ones will be powerful enough for most riders
EA 70 monkeylite bars are very good as is the Thomson kit, my arse is still getting used to the Gobi saddle though
The Raceface BB on my bike (as far as I know) is almost 2 years old with no servicing & problem free0 -
I have the 08 5 AM with most of the upgrades your looking at.
any questions please ask.
Regarding the say differance of frames IE 08 to 09
The new frame has been made a little stronger but have notice the
head angles is one degree relaxed than the 08 and also made the
head tube narrower and placed a gusset under the down tube.
The frames are renowned to ride way past what they are designed to do.
I do Downhill to a degree on mine. You can do 4 foot drops no probs
but again have known others to do more.
Also a great trail bike kind of one bike does all and well.
Take a look at the Heckler has well as this is a hard core bike and a little
cheaper.
What you going to use it for?0 -
I have a 08 pro model, absolutely no complaints, solid as a rock, very dependable, easy to maintain, bearings and rear hangers cheap. On decents with rear sus in overdrive, need to get used to lower bottom bracket height that has resulted in a few more pedal stikes, but slight adjustments to technique sorts it out.
Not as 'styled' as many competitors but form follows function in my book.0 -
Yup, they're tough as ol boots & I love ragging mine about, also get a fair bit of airtime as well & I'm not the smoothest rider...grantway wrote:The frames are renowned to ride way past what they are designed to do.
You can do 4 foot drops no probs
I hit the jumps at the end of the Marin train in Wales even harder & bigger than that, so I'm told by the lad behind me at the time & the bike just shrugged it off as if it was dropping off a kerb.0 -
I think I should have got the Fox 36 Float R forks 'cos I never use the travel adjustment of the 36 TALAS R that came on the 5 AM. Really like the bike.
Have you considered the Yeti 575? Review:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... /575-117870 -
I've got the 08 model SE, and I'm glad of the TALAS, on some rocky up hills I do tend to find the front end quite light unless I drop the travel down. I'd be interested to try an 09 with the slacker head angle as I suspect this would be even worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the magazines point this out when they get round to reviewing the 09 model!
As good as the Orange is there are plenty of other alternatives for a hell of a lot less.
My mate has the Meta 5.5 and it rides very similar to my 5,with the right build it would probably be almost as light too. (27lb)0 -
What you going to use it for?[/quote]
I ride maily trails centre and local forest trails agressively with some good drops, about 5-6 ft , lots of fast ish downhill and some long drags upwards, hence the TALAS. Im 14 1/2 stone which is why i was looking at the Tech M4s with 180mm up front. My current bike is an 08 EX8 and that copes with all that i ride, just. But was instantly impressed by the 5 on the short ride i had. Almost made my Trek feel fragile.0 -
Lovley Pic Andy B
And I know what you mean about the 160 Float r Hecking Hell
Maybe you need to give more of what the 5 can offer, has I do use it
for all round and do Downhill.
DC01 what your useing it for would be best for Tech M4's may even
better for floating rotors.
Im 12 half stone and i believe the M4's saved me from hitting my friends head
Best get all upgrades at point of sale.
Your not to far from me im in East Ham0 -
Not to far at all grantway. Was maybe looking towards getting built as per my options by Sunset mtb. Was going to be my next question actually. Who would you all advise to use. Not to bothered bout it being the cheapest, but a good deal helps. i mainly would Want good service and people who know what there on about when something goes pearshape. Whereabouts you ride grantway?0
-
Hi DC01
Regarding shops take a look on Orange web site they have a delear
in or around Southend and one in Barkingside
Barkingside one will match any price but a small concearn and
to be honest I went for a good deal that lead to me driving to Halifax
and dumping the bike on Orange door step.
Orange was fantastic we went into the workshop and was sorted in a matter
of an hour and made sure I was happy and gave the bill to Leisure Lakes
in Bury.
Also what I like about Orange is that if you ruin your paintwork for £ 150
they will strip it down give you new bearing and re paint it and new Decals
How about that xxxx
So mate buy local.0 -
Cheers mate. will look into it. There is a large cycle surgery close to me who are a dealer and will price match. But dont like the service in there and the one fella who knew mtbs inside and out and was always massively helpful has left for a shop in Brentwood who dont do Orange. He shipped a 5 from there store in Manchester for me to demo with no obligation to buy. But he s gone now and when i popped in there sat and asked for some teflon grease i might aswell have been from the moon. Not a clue.0
-
DC01
Yes I had taken my bike into cycle surgery and they done mine in
Well they sorted it out.
The shop in Brentwood near the lights does Santa Cruz if you want to give
the Heckler a try, its another single pivot and a couple of hundred cheaper.
Regarding where I/we ride is the following
Epping for single track
Swinley for the Downs
Surrey Hills for the Downs
Cwn Carn For a weekend away for the Downs
We put the bikes in my Van and I take two others and
a friend takes his car.
I also just go on my own (sad git style) and stay in back of van
for a weekend but eat out in Style
Where bouts you ride?0 -
I tried a Heckler and a Meta but the Five (for me) won hands down. I got an 09 Pro, upgraded the Forks, Swingarm, Brakes and Wheels. I love it, big smiles
http://my.orangebikes.co.uk/showphoto.php?photo=21900 -
-
grantway wrote:Also what I like about Orange is that if you ruin your paintwork for £ 150
they will strip it down give you new bearing and re paint it and new Decals
Yep, that's brilliant actually, it's not all that much more than a typical powdercoat but you get exact OEM finish, logos etc, basically a back-to-stock refurb. IIRC it covers some bearings as well on the sussers? Most companies can't do that since the frames are finished abroad when they're built.Uncompromising extremist0 -
Good bike, I've taken mine to Afan, Cwmcarn, Glentress and Inners and regularly do uplift days on it too. Also consider an SC Heckler, my mate has one and it's awesome.0
-
Not a lover of Santa Cruz. Not anything wrong with them just dont like look. See a couple in Bike Trax in Brentwood and thought they were a bit overpriced for the spec at the time. Got my current Fuel EX8 from same shop and service is very good and would recommend them.
Grantway. Normally ride at Thorndon for a local blast ( about 30miles ish of single track).and as many trail centres as i can when i get the time. Kids, Mrs ,Work etc.... Got Igrebourne hill on my ride home from work and can do single track from the A13 to Upminster. Not that long but stretches your legs for an hour or so.Not Done Swinley though. Another one on the list. lol.
Plan to ride Dalby very soon. And going for a stint at Afan and cwm carn later on in the year.0 -
DC01 Youll probaly better off trying Hainault Forest
Its a so so place but good climb to get your lungs going
and some small trails too.
And no roads cutting through
But to be Honest once you go Swinley you look at others you ride and
Boredom sets in very quickly.
Wife and kid for me and one dog
Where is Igrebourne Hill?
Not been to Dalby mind
Up at Afan April the 4th but CwnCarn on the cards too.
May do a few weekends up there0 -
Rode Hainault a few times. quite good. And will def give Swinley a go. Heard it gets rammed of a weekend so i think a sickie is in order. Ingerbourne Hill is a lttle section of single track with berms and jumps etc, behind the Albion pub in Rainham which sits on the old A13 at Dovers corner round a bout. Only about a mile long, but it forms part of the London Loop. If you follow the fire track, there a little bridge that comes up on your right. That where the good stuff is. Not long at all but good enough for a spare time filler. And if you start from the pub, beer for afters. 0
-
DC01 LOL regarding Swinley the trick is to get there when it starts Ie 10 am
Rainham sounds good mate get your bike and let me know when your
down there0 -
May's MBR has the annual 'Trail Bike of the year' shoot out. This is the first magazine report I've seen of the 09 Orange 5, it still gives 10/10 but comments about the slacker head angle making the front end a bit loose on climbs. They do say it descends better than the 08 though.0
-
I got the 08 model last October and upgraded the forks and tubless rims, both of which I and my mates considered to be money well spent. The only component I expected to change then was the headset. Sure enough that time is coming soon even though I've taken it out,cleaned and greased it at least 3 times.
The way I looked at it was, why pay an extra £50 when I could use the original for at least 6-9 months then pay £60 and fit the Hope headset then.0
