Orange Five...Finished...at last!! or maybe not

ftwizard

I ordered the frame in July and I finished it today.
Obviously, you can't capture the luminosity of the Neon Orange finish, but I've done my best.
A few updates have occurred, so a few more pictures added.
Yet more updates, yet more pictures.
















Fork travel reduced to 140mm

Single speed front ring

Charge Knife saddle

Racing Ralph on Crest rim

140mm G3 rotor

E13 Single speed ring

New bottle holder and pump

Saint Derailleur

Saint Derailleur (close up)







FRAME: Orange Five 2011, 16", Maxle, Neon Orange
FORK: RockShox Revelation Team 140mm Dual Air Tapered Maxle Lite
STEM: Ritchey WCS 4Axis 70mm
FRONT MECH: None
REAR MECH: Shimano Saint M810 SS
SHIFTERS: Shimano XTR
CHAINSET: Shimano XT M770 converted to single 36 (e13)
BASHGUARD: RaceFace Lightweight
CASSETTE: Shimano M770 11-32
BRAKES: Avid Elixir CR Mag
ROTORS: Avid G3 160mm front, 140mm rear
WHEELS: Hope Pro II Evo with ZTR Crest rims (Merlin)
HEADSET: Hope
SEATPOST: Thomson Elite
SADDLE: Charge Knife
HANDLEBARS: Easton Monkeylite EC70
PEDALS: HT Components Magnesium Nano
GRIPS: ODI Rogue Lock-On
SEATPOST CLAMP: Thomson
CHAIN: KMC X9-SL Silver
TYRES: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.1
WEIGHT: 25lb 12oz

j96_2

Sweet build matey

ftwizard

Thanks. I thought I'd take some pictures and post them before I start riding it, as I don't wash my bike, ever, so It'll never look this good again.

reevie25

Love the spec of that! Have you ridden it yet? IMO Orange 5's look better with a double and bash like yours. Is the frame a Custom Paint job?

essex_stu

That is lovely

ftwizard

Yeah, it's dirty now.
This is my first FS as well as my first build. I found riding it quite a bit harder work than my hardtail, but that also has Twin Rail tyres, which are virtually road tyres.
But the biggest surprise was that I could just ride straight over sections that were shaking the teeth out of my head before.
The first ride was really just to make sure everything was working right and all the components were tight etc.
Overall, it fit well and rides really nice, and as an added bonus, the Hope hub noise works a treat on the dog walkers.

Shaggy_Dog

You get extra points for having a bolt up seatpost clamp, putting the saddle down is for girls.

badly_dubbed

tasty

theuncharmed

Looks lovely!

Makes me think I should have gone with an Orange Five myself.

... maybe next year

MountainMonster

Bike looks lovely except for the god awful swingarm! Loving the spec!

lawman

i have to admit that looks very nice, tbh i think all 16" fives do, the proportions just look better imo. that colour is very loud isnt!!!

Stoo61

How are the wheels? I know its not a component that doesnt jump out at you but Ive got one of those wheels in a box until i get the rear.

bennett_346

There isnt a lot of bikes i think XT cranks look good on, but this one pulls them off perfectly, they look like they were made for the bike!

Great looking build mate.

Shaggy_Dog

I used to run a Blackspire Stinger chainguide on my 24.36 setup. They're dirt cheap and work really well

ftwizard

Stoo61 wrote:

How are the wheels? I know its not a component that doesnt jump out at you but Ive got one of those wheels in a box until i get the rear.

To be honest, the wheels are one of the things I would do differently. I would definitely go for the Crest rims, which would be plenty strong enough for my weight and riding style and would save quite a bit of weight, around ½ lb. I may change them at some point as I've heard that there may be a problem with the rear Maxle and Hope Hubs.

I've changed a few things since posting the pictures, mostly to try to lose some weight.
I've changed the front rotor back to a 160mm G3. Saves quite a bit of weight and I don't notice any difference in braking.
The stem was changed to a Ritchie, with Ti bolts and carbon spacers and cap. I also shortened the steerer, now that I'm happy with the height.
I splashed out on a KMC superlight chain, which was a total waste of money, as there is virtually no difference in weight to the normal chain.

Lastly, if I had seen it in the flesh,I think I would have got a quieter shade of orange :oops:

Shaggy_Dog

ftwizard wrote:

I splashed out on a KMC superlight chain, which was a total waste of money, as there is virtually no difference in weight to the normal chain.

Really? I saved about half a pound going from a 991 to a X9 SL and a further half pound going from a Deore to an XT cassette and LX to T.A. Specialites rings. The KMC chains feel smooth like Shimano but are tough like SRAM. Brilliant chains, won't be going back

Shaggy_Dog

ftwizard wrote:

I splashed out on a KMC superlight chain, which was a total waste of money, as there is virtually no difference in weight to the normal chain.

Really? I saved about half a pound going from a 991 to a X9 SL and a further half pound going from a Deore to an XT cassette and LX to T.A. Specialites rings. The KMC chains feel smooth like Shimano but are tough like SRAM. Brilliant chains, won't be going back

ftwizard

Yes, only about ¾ oz difference between the superlight KMC and the standard KMC 9 speed.
When you consider the difference in price, £45 for SL against £11 for standard, it's just not worth it. By the way, I use KMC on both my bikes and find them excellent value (standard) and quality.

jay12

Shaggy_Dog wrote:

You get extra points for having a bolt up seatpost clamp, putting the saddle down is for girls.

more like putting the saddle down is for men. i'd rather not hurt my bollox


btw very nice spec and bike. i love loud coloured bikes , hope hoops are a bargain as well. oh and those brakes. theyr like £400/500 for the pair :shock:

ftwizard

jay12 wrote:

oh and those brakes. theyr like £400/500 for the pair :shock:

Jesus, are they? :shock: that's not what I paid. Half that, from Merlin. Must have been on offer.

jay12

ftwizard wrote:

jay12 wrote:

oh and those brakes. theyr like £400/500 for the pair :shock:

Jesus, are they? :shock: that's not what I paid. Half that, from Merlin. Must have been on offer.

yes, just checked and it's £250 each RRP :shock:

nice, thats where i got my elixirs from

lugsey2k5

nice bike.
Id keep an eye on your rear axle. Two mates have snapped there rear maxle lights with hope hoops. Its not dangerous but can spoil a ride
the bearings sit on the tapered portion of the maxle creating stress and cause them to snap. hope warranted them both very quickly mind

ftwizard

Yes, that is a concern. If I decide to go for lighter wheels, I may try out the new SuperStar DH hubs with Crest rims, although I haven't heard of many people with that wheel.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Liking the orange Orange. I have a mate who has it in grey. The Orange is a much nicer looking bike IMO. I rode his missus's 5 a good few months ago it's what made me buy my full susser. Loved the ride from it. I just wish I could afford a 5.

The Northern Monkey

Wow... an Orange 5 without Fox forks!

Looks good!

lawman

The Northern Monkey wrote:

Wow... an Orange 5 without Fox forks!

Looks good!

if someone from MBR saw this, they'd just die of shock

ftwizard

A few additions to the build. Seems it never ends

Anonymous

Very nice build buddy spot on. 8)

clwydian_rider92

SWEET! My dream build. I'm looking to buy an Orange 5 frame and get some Revelations and do a custom build.

ftwizard

If you're looking to buy new, then give BikeActive a call, I got a great deal on the frame, headset, cranks combo.

Cycling is Forever

Hi you have great looking bike there!

Can you give some feedback on the ODI Rogue Lock-On GRIPS?
What are they like? Comfort wise?
What size?
Would you change them or keep / recommend them?
Thinking of getting the same for my X-cal maybe some coloured lock ons

Cheers

CiF