new bike or new rear shock??

gavinl1967
gavinl1967 Posts: 14
edited April 2009 in MTB buying advice
How are you all doing?

I'm looking for a bit of advice and hope there might be a few opinions out there that may help.

My Trusty Orange 5 (2004) has been dragged back into action after an 18 month 'sabattical'. I've had the bike serviced - forks, shock and pivots - but I'm still not entirely happy with the rear suspension action on the bike.

Now, my question is, do go down the cheaper :shock: route of replacing the ageing Swinger 3-Way with a nice new Fox RP23 and hope that that helps? Has anyone ever replace the Swinger and did it make any difference? Or, do I scratch the itch that is a nice shiny new Bike - either a Commencal Meta 552 or a Lapierre Zesty 314?? :?

Hoep you lot can help..........

Comments

  • therealboyjones
    therealboyjones Posts: 242
    Shiney
    :)
    New
    :D
    Bike
    :P :D :P :D :P

    'nuff said.
    There is a time to surf and a time to wax your board.....

    '09 Trek Remedy 8
  • Dazza993
    Dazza993 Posts: 99
    In 5 years a lot of technology will have moved on. Suspension design, better brakes, mechs, suspension forks.

    If it were me, I'd save the couple of hundred quid you'll spend on a RP23, sell your Orange 5 and go for something up-to-date. Plus you'll get a new warranty.

    Zesty 314 is a good choice. I test rode one at the demo day in Glentress and was seriously impressed. IMHO it rode as well as some of the £4k carbon bikes.

    Zesty 314/514 is right at the top of my list.
    ________________________________________
    Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool...
    Current : Cipollini Bond & Jamis Renegade Elite
    Previously : Lapierre Zesty 514 / Boardman CX Team / Cube Agree GTC Pro / Specialized FSR XC Pro '07
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    I had an '06 Orange 5 with the Swinger 3 way, I thought it was OK, did the job well enough...

    Then I got an '07 Orange 5 with the RP23, it is a vast improvement on the Swinger 3 way shock the rear end feels so much better compared to the Swinger on the '06

    Try the RP23, if necessary buy a PUSHed one from TFTuned, it will make a huge difference & save you a lot of cash.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    Your frame should still be good (and not so different to the current model), so I'd personally be in favour of updating that with some new bits.
  • gavinl1967
    gavinl1967 Posts: 14
    Oops, forgot I'd posted this!!

    Cheers for the input guys.

    I've made my decision and its a new bike!! It should arrive in the next couple of days - a spangly new Zesty 314 :D
  • Father Faff
    Father Faff Posts: 1,176
    Let us know what it's like. The Zesty 514 is reviewed in this month's MBR (may) together with the Orange 5 Pro. Pretty close battle for top honours!
    Commencal Meta 5.5.1
    Scott CR1

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