Orange SubZero - edit: and alternative options!

Mancunianfightingcat

First off, sorry if this has been done before, but search indicates that it hasn't!

I've currently got the 3 bikes listed in my sig, but the Stumpy's not much more than just a frame now and the Kenesis hardly ever gets a look in.
Anyway, I'm very tempted to get an Orange SubZero to use on shorter rides and for general messing about on. (and also to relearn the art of using flatties!)

I was just after feedback off anyone who has one or has had use of one?
I'm not after an all day xc bike as I've got the 5 for that, but would it be OK for a 2 hour ride with a few climbs incorporated?

Any comments will be gratefully received!

GHill

Have you managed to find a new one somewhere? I thought they didn't make them anymore?

Mancunianfightingcat

I've found a nearly new one!

supersonic

Is the swingarm still in one piece ;-)

Mancunianfightingcat

:?

eh??

Swingarm?

Have I missed something?

topsey_turvey

Glad you're confused too. Thought I was going crazy :!:

Kowalski

Yeah the SubZero is a hardtail and they only stopped making them last year...

For one reason or another i've got a 14" MsIsle that I used as my only bike for years. Although it's not ideal for long XC rides (seat too low and only 9 gears) it's absolutely perfect for messing about on and is brilliant fun to ride. Because I insisted on using it for everything I think it helped my riding in the long run, even managed the black route at Glentress on it.

The SubZero is lighter still than my old MsIsle but still a great, strong hardtail. I say get a stupidly small one and have fun!

supersonic

Oops!

(It's fallen off you see ;-))

dave_hill

GHill wrote:

Have you managed to find a new one somewhere? I thought they didn't make them anymore?

Correct - I bought the last one...

GHill

dave_hill wrote:

Correct - I bought the last one...

Spankin gorgeous 8)

dave_hill

And a hoot to boot!!!

Shorty12

Look here


http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/offers/

dave_hill

Looks like you've been rumbled MFC!!

topsey_turvey

Looks like MFC has got the last one :oops:

Mancunianfightingcat

Not yet I haven't!

Mancunianfightingcat

Gutted,

I agreed the sale on my Kenisis ,which I needed tto sell to make room for the Orange, rang Orange to tell them I was on my way and the buggers sold it yesterday!

That bike has been on their website for about 3 months, I finally convince myself (and the wife) that I can justify buying it, find a buyer for my other bike and all just 24 hours too late!!!!

Anybody got any suggestions? What's the Orange Crush like in comparison? Are there any other long travel mental hardtails for about a grand?

topsey_turvey

Bit of a bummer that my man! Sure it's not Dave Hill who bought it?

Mancunianfightingcat

If it's anyone on here, they'd better watch out!

I've decided, they can't be that good anyway or Orange would still make them!

topsey_turvey

PMA. I like that.

Shorty12

Unlucky this is a lower spec on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2007-Orange-SubZe ... 7C294%3A50

dave_hill

Topsey Turvey wrote:

Bit of a bummer that my man! Sure it's not Dave Hill who bought it?

Not guilty!! Got mine last August.

The Crush is more "SubZero Lite" - definitely more "all day" friendly, just not as much of a headbanger.

I would have said have look at a Kona Five-0 but (and I never thought I'd say this), compared to Orange they're seriously under-specced and over priced.

How about a Mythic Morphine (from Freeborn)?

GHill

How hardcore do you want it? Saracen Zen, Marin Rocky Ridge and On-One 456 might fit the bill, but they're all less aggro than the SubZero.

For Kona, try the Five-0 deluxe, it's much better specced than the vanilla model.

dave_hill

GHill wrote:

For Kona, try the Five-0 deluxe, it's much better specced than the vanilla model.

Yes but it's STILL got Marzocchi 55s...

GHill

dave_hill wrote:

Yes but it's STILL got Marzocchi 55s...

Sadly true.

pat mcgucken

you could always buy the one on ebay, then sell the forks and buy some 36's. I have an '06 sub zero and love it. not the most efficient uphill tbh but amazing fun for everything else...

Mancunianfightingcat

I've found a cracking deal on a brand new but 2006 Norco Torrent, but I think that might be a touch too hardcore. Any thoughts?

topsey_turvey

After riding with you I'd have said that you were pretty hardcore. Far more hardcore than I am!

Suppose it depends on how you define hardcore.

Mancunianfightingcat

I'm not sure, I 'think' I'm after something to take to trail centres and throw myself about on. I've got the Five for general XC and all day rides..
At the minute I only ride my hardtail just for a change, not because I think it would be better for that particular ride, so I might as well let some one else have use of it.
But I wouldn't dream of only having 1 bike!!!!

dave_hill

Mancunianfightingcat wrote:

I've found a cracking deal on a brand new but 2006 Norco Torrent, but I think that might be a touch too hardcore. Any thoughts?

Errrrr, you were considering a SubZero earlier..... :shock:

Torrent's no worse than that!!! If it's the one I've just found it's a hell of a bargain!! Plus it's got pre-Taiwan 66s on it which are pretty tasty...

Mancunianfightingcat

almost half price!

Mr Wu

MFC - Do you happen to have an ebay account under the name of Satans-Animal?