orange 5 v Zesty 514

ftwizard

xterra wrote:

cheers guys - thats 1 vote for each LOL

what are they like for climbing in your opinions?

I've got the Orange 5, and I'm sure it climbs great, just not with me on board.
Seriously, they're both great bikes. No way would you be unhappy with either, I'm sure.

thelomax

Well I always fancied an Orange until Lapierre came along. This year was the time to test and buy but because the colours were crap on Lapierre I never bothered with it.
So I tested Orange 5 (from Stif which was brilliant and just wanted to play), Santa Cruz Blur (from Stif which was so disapointing for suspension action downhill but climbed a bit better) and Trek EX8 (from All Terrain 120mm wasn't enough downhill but no Remedy test bike!!) so I went for Orange and haven't looked back.
I had a Marin Wolfridge 2007 before and the Orange eclipses that uphill and down and a bit better along even though it's single pivot.
I've ridden a Lapierre 514 from a year or so ago and it was OK, the most notable thing being the brakes which were super keen. I was riding SPD's with flat shoes though.
If you go for Orange get the wider bars and M4 brakes.
Test ride as many as can, some shops don't charge, have fun!

warm18

i love my zesty. i love the way it climbs but what clinched it was pickng it up and, compared to other bikes, finding the back end was really light. its very light yet strong.

it syrvived a recent horrendous crash when i didnt.

xterra

thanks everyone some really useful thoughts and pointers..

have the 5 to test this weekend so looking forward to that and hopefully will update next week

xterra

thanks everyone some really useful thoughts and pointers..

have the 5 to test this weekend so looking forward to that and hopefully will update next week

paul20v

yeehaamcgee wrote:

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.

My argument isnt because any of them are made in taiwan i have nothing against that , my agrgument is that when i buy a product as with the commie for instance i expect it too be made where it supposedly comes from so that would be andora not imported from another company in taiwan these companys are not forth coming with this info and as such i feel cheated as a consumer
i bet most general people who buy a bike think its made in the country its claimed to come from ,
im not saying the 5 is perfect nor is any bike for that matter but when i had the choice of buying another meta or a 5 for the small difference in frame prices i went for the 5 which i assume that the frame is all hand made in this country not partly .

hoots

If it's any use, I've got an Anthem X, and until fairly recently an 2010 Orange Five. I use the Anthem for smoother faster riding, and the Five for the local Dark Peak trails and other rocky/'harsh' terrain.

My wife has officially now adopted my Five :roll: .....but on the plus side she's offered to put a substantial chunk of cash in for a replacement

TBH, if there wasn't already a Five in the house, I'd probably get another Five 'frame only' and do a self-build again. Becasue I fancy something a little different, I've had a few extended demos of various bikes (Yetis, Stumpys and Zesty). So far, the Zesty and Yeti ASR5 have really stood out. However, my gut feeling is to go for a Zesty, as it's veryclose to the Five in character. In some areas the Zesty is a little better (climbing), but in others (descending) the Five is better.

IMO, they really are so close in performance it comes down to a couple of things: if you prefer the challenge of getting up steep techy ascents, and not having to use Propedal on smoother ascents - go with the Zesty. If you really want uber-confidence to monster anything this side of a full on DH course descent - go with the Five. The other consideration is maintenance - obviously there's not a lot to go wrong on the Five (and I've not had a problem with the 2 I've previously owned), whereas the Zesty has got all the pivot bearings to potentially wear.

Personally, I think I'm going to get the Zesty, as it suits the type of riding I enjoy - as someone as said though, whichever you get, they're both absolutely mega-bikes that'll compliment your Anthem X really well - I'm sure you'll love either.

Only thing I'd add is that it's worth experimenting with sag when you demo the Five, as it can realistically be run with anything between 20% to 40% sag depending on what you're riding. Set up with 20% to 25% sag my (er...my wifes!) Five climbs very well indeed - stick some lightish wheels on and it gets quite a XC feel to it.

Good luck choosing

supersonic

paul20v wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

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.

My argument isnt because any of them are made in taiwan i have nothing against that , my agrgument is that when i buy a product as with the commie for instance i expect it too be made where it supposedly comes from so that would be andora not imported from another company in taiwan these companys are not forth coming with this info and as such i feel cheated as a consumer
i bet most general people who buy a bike think its made in the country its claimed to come from ,
im not saying the 5 is perfect nor is any bike for that matter but when i had the choice of buying another meta or a 5 for the small difference in frame prices i went for the 5 which i assume that the frame is all hand made in this country not partly .

But a load of Orange frames aren't made in the uk. Many models are made in, you've guessed it, the far east. Plus they don't fabricate the tubing.

Thewaylander

Ok So have test ridden both. and bought summat else does this make somewhat impartial?

To be honest i prefered the Zesty i really wasn't that blown away by the orange its actions felt basic and simple and it didn't strike me as at all special, which for the money it should. the welds on the frames generally look like a blind man completed them, and it's not the quality i would expect for that money.

The zesty i like good bike but i prefered my Mondraker as it felt faster on the down's but the zesty climbs more efficientl.

If i was to choose between the too its easy the Zesty, I think people/Mags rate Orange as they do, is just they really want to love british bikes.

evo3ben

I tested an Orange 5, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and a Lapierre Zesty and walked away with the Orange 5

I was after a bike that was a good all rounder. Trail Centres, XC, downhill, marathons etc etc. The other bikes could do them as well but the ride of the 5 was just more suited to me. Also i loved the look of the 5 and simplicity of the design. (i love Mitsubishi evo's and they are not pretty to look at but impo its the best rally car ever made)

In all honesty its down to personal preference as a bike thats not good for some will always be good for others.

One thing i will say about the 5 though, buy the frame and do a self build For the price of a 5 pro you can build a better and lighter bike for around the same price especially with all the deals about on the internet. I built mine and sits at 27.5 lbs 8)

If its finance you are after then sites like sunsetmtb, you can buy the frame plus all the other bits you need and still finance the complete lot.

paul20v

supersonic wrote:

But a load of Orange frames aren't made in the uk. Many models are made in, you've guessed it, the far east. Plus they don't fabricate the tubing.

I did realise not all orange bikes were uk made
but the 5 is which is what we are talking about also i thought the only tubes they didnt make were the top tube and the seat tube which are reynolds tubing UK
the rest is made by orange as far as i can tell as you can see its been formed and welded the same as every thing else on the frame ,
anyway this is getting the original poster no where so im getting back in my box

tri-sexual

zesty is a very good looking bike and would be my prefered choice from the two but they are both really good bikes, you wont be dissappointed with either

supersonic

Reynolds tubing is made in USA and Taiwan ;-)

But we are digressing. My argument is that if we are using clarity of origins, then Orange do confuse many: Seen many a p7 and crush owner going on about their 'UK' made frame ;-)

andyrm

I've ridden both as I have mates with them, my personal preference was the 5 but I like a good single pivot frame, but others could argue the opposite point.

It's a massively subjective thing dependent on riding style, body proportions, fitness and just what you feel best on.

You'll need to get some good demo rides in!

pilsburypie

I have a 2011 Zesty 514. It replaced my 2010 Trek fuel ex8 that got nicked. Out of those 2 the Zesty is in my opinion the nicer ride. Just feel smoother and also better on climbs - what is down to the bike or me I don't know! Looks good too.

Unfortunately I have never ridden an Orange. Once read someone saying it looked like a filing cabnet. Very apt.