Specialized Rockhopper or Orange G3

Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007 edited May 2007 in MTB buying advice

I have œ600 to spend on a lightweight Hardtail.
I have seen a Specialized rockhopper for œ550 with V brakes, and an Orange G3 discounted to œ599 with discs - which would be best?
As a yorkshireman the Orange is more appealing as it is made just down the road.

It is my first proper bike to use for a daily 10k commute (each way) and for weekend rides(50% on-road and 50% on-road. I have been borrowing an old MARIN hardtail for the commute with not too much difficulty.
Cheers
Ed

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Capt. Concussion Posts: 1,585

May 2007

I'd go for the Orange, but then I am slightly biased................[;)][:D]

Derek.

(Where did that bloody tree come from??)

My Orange 5 Pro

Derek.
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Anonymous Posts: 79,667

May 2007

Hi & Welcome

I'd go for the Spesh, but again I'm biased, the Spesh gets better forks at the expense of the brakes, but the rest of the spec seems that little bit better to me.

Have you tested them, that may help you decide

<center>Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.</center>
<center>My Spesh</center>

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Andy B Posts: 8,115

May 2007

Try them out, I have 2 Orange bikes so could be a little biased, but I'd be leaning towards the Orange as it already has discs, it would cost about œ200 to upgrade the Spesh to discs if it doesn't have disc ready hubs.

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Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007

The Spech has disc ready rims, if that helps.
Cheers for the advice so far
Ed

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Andy B Posts: 8,115

May 2007

Just looked & the hubs on the Spesh are disc ready [:I]

So an upgrade to discs would only cost ~œ100. (if you felt the need for more braking power!)

Try both bikes & see which one feels best for you.

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Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

The frame on the Orange is made in Taiwan though, if that changes your "feel"... So is the Spesh though [;)]
Can't really say, never liked any of those two TBH...
Look at the Trek6000 as a nice XC machine for the money.

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GT Avalanche 1.0 07

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Andy B Posts: 8,115

May 2007

Nowt wrong with Taiwanese frames, 90% of all bike frames are made over there!

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Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

Yer, I know, just saying that it takes something of the "special" feeling out of the Orange, IMHO... The full-sus are made in England though [;)].
Orange is a bit overpriced me thinks...

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Anonymous Posts: 79,667

May 2007

An upgrade to a decent fork will cost more than œ100, so it depends what more important to you, good suspension or disc brakes

<center>Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.</center>
<center>My Spesh</center>

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Andy B Posts: 8,115

May 2007

Yeah Orange do seem a little 'overpriced', but that's comparing them to Spesh, one of the largest bike companies going. It's a bit like comparing a corner shop to Tesco's!

Spesh are a bit cheaper/better specced?, but Orange have a little more 'exclusivity', even though they are a little bit more expensive/lower specced, I'd still choose Orange...

...Twice [;)]

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Anonymous Posts: 79,667

May 2007

Doesn't make any difference at all, choosing something just because its popular, just shows that they are good at what they do.

<center>Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.</center>
<center>My Spesh</center>

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Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

Spesh isn't too cheap either. And it is hardly their fault that they can use economies of scale. I get what you mean, I also got my bike due to it's exclusivity, but it is preeeetty and the frame is very light. I just don't see the point of an aluminium Orange hardtail. I do love the P7 and the Orange 5 though! Same thing with the Evo8... Uninspired, if you ask me...

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Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007

weight is a big issue - I am already 14 stone!
Any idea which is lighter?
thx

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Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

You! [:D]

Are you thinking of taking the bike on more serious off roads too?

With the discount maybe the Orange would be the best option... The kit is good, apart from the fork which is a bit heavy... Still, both gonna be heavier than more XC bikes like the Trek6000 or Giant XTC (Do they still do the XTC?)

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Marky Mark. Posts: 646

May 2007

XTC4 is œ500 and there's a dealer near Harrogate

http://www.moonglu.com/giant/xtc4.html

The Family

The Family
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Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007

I have discovered that the Stainburn Singletrack course is less than 5 miles away from where I live ... looks tempting!
The main use is getting ou and about and enjoying myself.

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Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

Well, that's the spirit! To be honest, most reasonable bikes at this price range are going to weight about the same... It is a good deal more important how you feel on the bike. The orange seems nice for the price, œ100 off is very good for an orange! At some stage you would get fed up with the V's on the Spesh and will want to change them... As said, for the money also look at Carrera Fury, GT Avalanche 1, Trek 6000 and Giant XTC. Potter around on the carpark for a minute or two and go for the one that fits best. All good frames (maybe the Carrera a bit less, but just cos it's Halfords own brand... The kit is excellent!) worth upgrading in the future.

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juankerrwmb Posts: 611

May 2007

Mm.. I'd probably go for the Orange out of the two, given that it's got a decent discount.

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Andy B Posts: 8,115

May 2007

For trails like Stainburn I'd seriously think about Disc brakes.

Also feel free to ask on here too, SingletrAction-Yorkshire's trail builders not as many members, but good local advice, since you're up in Harrogate

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Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007

Off to check out the orange tommorow - thanks for your advice!

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Bunnyman 5.5 Posts: 133

May 2007

Thanks for the 411:)

"Punctured bicycle on a hillside desolate/can nature make a man of me yet?"-The Smiths

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A little cold blue steel
I'll cut the night like a razor blade
Till I feel the way I wanna feel"
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Unknown

May 2007

ive got a spesh rockhopper disc its the dogs pal highly reccomended

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Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007

Gone for the orange but a G2 (the G3 frame was the wrong size).
Now I have to wait for the cycle to work 'voucher'...grrrrrrr.

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Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

Me thinks the G3 is worth it over the G2... But that is cos I am no big fan of Sram gears and hayes brakes... Couldn't they order a G3 for you?

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Ed Pies Posts: 9

May 2007

No they only have two bikes each with œ100 off.
The LBS were adamant that I neede a 17" frame (g2) and that a 19"(g3) frame would be too big. I am 5'9".

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Capt. Concussion Posts: 1,585

May 2007

A 19" would indeed be too big. I had a 19" Orange Evo 4 and I'm 6'1".

Derek.

(Where did that bloody tree come from??)

My Orange 5 Pro

Derek.
0
Wolf Posts: 989

May 2007

Fair enough, if the G2 comes with œ100 off as well it is a good bike for the money.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

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0

Specialized Rockhopper or Orange G3

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