I need an expert on Orange Patriots please!

miss notax

Hello

I am kind of / possibly on a hunt for a Megavalanche bike - i'm torn between tarting up my current 5 or buying something specifically for it. Perhaps 160mm travel on something beefier than the 5...? However I am rather hindered in my search because I am a bit of a shorty and need about a 14" frame :oops:

I have found a 14" Patriot for sale which I *think* from the decals is a 2002 model with 125mm forks fitted.... Obviously this is much less than my current 5 (140mm), but does anyone know if the geometry allows bigger forks to be fitted? Or is it 125mm and that's it?

Any thoughts would be very welcome!

supersonic

The frame is probably weaker than what you have, and if isn't the LT version with the Fox Van RC shock, shorter travel. Add to that the really high pivot that causes a lot of pedal kickback, plus a reputation for breaking, then I would just stick with the 5 or buy something better.

miss notax

Fair enough - thanks for that. I thought it all seemed a little bit too good to be true!

I spoke to Orange who reckoned that my 5 could take up to 160mm forks (although personally i'm not sure...) so sticking 150mm forks and general tarting up is a good option.

Just keeping my eyes open though - I was never one to turn down the opportunity to get a new toy

kdawg74

Rule of thumb is that you can go up in travel by 20mm, and i suppose if Orange themselves say its ok then it should be.

miss notax

kdawg74 wrote:

Rule of thumb is that you can go up in travel by 20mm, and i suppose if Orange themselves say its ok then it should be.

Thanks

It's just that my bike frame is soo tiny - it makes me wonder whether it'll take them ok!

Dirtydog11

miss notax wrote:

kdawg74 wrote:

Rule of thumb is that you can go up in travel by 20mm, and i suppose if Orange themselves say its ok then it should be.

Thanks

It's just that my bike frame is soo tiny - it makes me wonder whether it'll take them ok!

Your bike will take them it's not an issue however fitting 160s will make it a bit of a one dimensional machine.

The Orange 5 with 160s fitted is 0.5 degree slacker than the Alpine 160, it will loose some of it's usability.

Could you not borrow a set of 160s to try, maybe just borrow a set for the Mega?

It seems a bit drastic to be trading your bike in for something that won't be as trail friendly for a once a year event.

paul20v

Hi
i run 160s on my 5 i ran 140s before but find the 160s better in every respect
general handling and flex when braking and cornering
that said it might not work for everyone we are all different