orange 5 v Zesty 514

xterra

can anyone please point me to any earlier discussions ( i have searched but cant find) on the benefits or otherwise against an orange 5 v a zesty 514 or pass on any valuable views or thoughts

i have an Anthem x3 but am looking for something a little more confidence inspiring on steeper descents that doesnt feel as skittish over rough descents but can still be ridden up hill or for a decent distance - i need all the help i can get in that department :-)

cheers
B

supersonic

Your best bet is to arrange a test - both are well regarded for the use you say.

Use the Google search for better results on existing posts on them.

xterra

arranged a test on an orange through Stif, still looking for a Zesty

that said id still value any owners views and thoughts - as they will have been on them a while

concorde

If they're both really similar just get the Zesty. Orange bikes just look dull. I thnk Stevie Wonder is the chief designer at Orange.

itsmygame

i have a zesty 514...... awesome bike, love it, awesome pick up, light and she looks stunning.

haven't ridden a 5 so cant compare. hope this helps

paul20v

Hi
ive never ridden a zesty so i cant comment
but i own a 2011 Orange 5
i have owned other full sus bikes the last being a meta 5.5
but all i can say is the 5 just does everything i want well
it felt so comfortable straight away and gives real confidence
as for looks its each to there own
but i didnt buy it to look at i bought it to use it
but in all honesty i like the simplicity of it design wise
and it just does what its meant to do .

xterra

cheers guys - thats 1 vote for each LOL

what are they like for climbing in your opinions?

Vally7

I have a Zesty and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it climbs. Love the bike and would get another. Not ridden a 5 though.

Broken rugby player

I've ridden both and I went for the Zesty 514... just been through the whole which bike should I get dilema to...

There are a few Orange 5s in the group that I ride with and they are all impressed with the zesty, as it was their Oranges I rode to get a taster, nice bikes, ubt I prefered the Zesty, seemed easier to throw around and just eats ground!

Both are lovely bikes, its personal preference... try both and think you'll be happy with which ever you go for

Broken rugby player

Id say the Zesty climbs better than the Orange... well it did for me!, but I only been riding again for a year and recovering from partily ruptured achilles, so the lighter the bike the better

(as above, I have ridden both n both great bikes)

cuthbertsavage

I rode a Zesty 514 demo bike all day at Glentress a bit ago. It truly is an incredible bike but hugely out of my price range. Best bike I've ever ridden by far and that was the mist fun I've ever had on a MTB day out.

Saying that my mate rode his Orange Five that day and loved every minute just as much so to be honest once you've tested both you'll probably come to the decision that both are ace and it comes down to which you went faster on!

frogstomp

xterra wrote:

i have an Anthem x3 but am looking for something a little more confidence inspiring on steeper descents that doesnt feel as skittish over rough descents but can still be ridden up hill or for a decent distance - i need all the help i can get in that department :-)

Try the Anthem with a 120mm fork.. it makes a world of difference to how the downhill stuff feels. If it's got Rebas (MY2009) on it then you should be able to remove the internal spacer to extend the travel.

Although, if you've got your heart set on a new bike..

xterra

thanks everyone - food for thought

though the zesty ow seems to be edging it :-)

paul20v

xterra wrote:

thanks everyone - food for thought

though the zesty ow seems to be edging it :-)

I have one more for you not that it seems to bother most in the UK these days but buying british also holds a vote
well for me it does anyway 8)

xterra

thanks Paul - and just seen and commented on your new toy - v nice!!

let me know how it rides

paul20v

xterra wrote:

thanks Paul - and just seen and commented on your new toy - v nice!!

let me know how it rides

Hi
ive had it since november and replaced a meta with it
ive rode a good few full suspension bikes and climbing always gets mentioned personally i dont find the 5 any bother at all climbing and im no whippet it just does everything for me really well
but having said that every body is different in build ridding ability and style
so it really comes down to the ride for you
whatever you choose you wont go far wrong with either im sure .

Stiff_Orange

xterra wrote:

arranged a test on an orange through Stif, still looking for a Zesty

that said id still value any owners views and thoughts - as they will have been on them a while

Try http://www.WeloveLapierre.com for a test ride, they are based in Hull, so it still my be a bit of a daytrip for you.

I've got the Carbon 714, and it is without doubt the best all-mountain bike I've ridden. It just handles anything, and flys up the climbs.

sharky1029

MBUK issue 255 says the following about the Orange:
"One of the best handling bikes we've ever ridden around this price. Highly recommended for anyone trying to tackle difficult terrain on a budget"
Received 4.5/5
Also I think the orange looks very nice despite what others say and they are absoltley bombproof.
Furthermore the zesty is french.

rhialto

sharky1029 wrote:

Furthermore the zesty is french.

Is there something you are trying to tell us?

TrekTom

frogstomp wrote:

xterra wrote:

i have an Anthem x3 but am looking for something a little more confidence inspiring on steeper descents that doesnt feel as skittish over rough descents but can still be ridden up hill or for a decent distance - i need all the help i can get in that department :-)

Try the Anthem with a 120mm fork.. it makes a world of difference to how the downhill stuff feels. If it's got Rebas (MY2009) on it then you should be able to remove the internal spacer to extend the travel.

Although, if you've got your heart set on a new bike..

frogstomp - does a 120mm fork not change the geometry on the Anthem? I've been looking to do the same on my X4......

TrekTom

P.s. sorry if I hijacked the post just then, my bad.

I have ridden an Orange 5 Pro, and it just felt a bit 'agricultural' for want of a better word. It felt bulletproof mind you! My mate loves it and is convinced it's the bike of choice for AM stuff.

Anonymous

xterra wrote:

that said id still value any owners views and thoughts - as they will have been on them a while

You'll often find that the views of people who've spent their hard money on something is, paradoxically, the least useful information available.

paul20v

yeehaamcgee wrote:

xterra wrote:

that said id still value any owners views and thoughts - as they will have been on them a while

You'll often find that the views of people who've spent their hard money on something is, paradoxically, the least useful information available.

Not with me because if it had been crap it would have been up the road for want of a better word
life is too short to suffer with things you dont like or cant get on with at least for me anyway

Anonymous

You know what I mean though. People make allowances for something they've paid money for. It's the same reason old, crappy cars have "character"

paul20v

yeehaamcgee wrote:

You know what I mean though. People make allowances for something they've paid money for. It's the same reason old, crappy cars have "character"

yeah i know what you mean and as you mentioned cars loads of people own the best car they have ever had as was the one before that and the one that will replace the current one

supersonic

Yeah, I am just not like this: no affinity to GT or Rockshox at all...

sharky1029

dpaulett wrote:

sharky1029 wrote:

Furthermore the zesty is french.

Is there something you are trying to tell us?

Just that french build quality is not renowned to be brilliant. (I do know that lapierres are very well built but just mentioning a point)

And also it is much more satisfying nuying a british bike.

supersonic

They are not made in France! They are made in Taiwan

paul20v

supersonic wrote:

They are not made in France! They are made in Taiwan

So was my commie which turned to sh1t hence the British made 5 .

supersonic

99% of the worlds frames are made in the Far East. Infact they have the best frame building facilities in the world. Not like Orange haven't had frame probs ;-). From time to time you do get faulty batches or design flaws, which has happened with Commencal, Lappiere, and just about every manufacturer. Been made in Taiwan should not be a reason not to buy a frame where quality is concerned.

Anonymous

Buy cheap, buy twice, buy british, get ass-raped for over-priced goods. I realise manufacture in this country is more expensive and would happily pay THAT difference, but I'm not paying some fantasy premium purely because it's (partly) made in this country.