OK,

So I used to ride a lot about 4 years ago and then stopped due to, ahem, pressure from the wife…..

I had / have an old Patriot (5″ front and rear) but it’s very creaky now and seems to be virtually antique if I try to buy spares for it (I’m submitting it to Antiques Roadshow next week).

What would make a suitable heir to my (t)rusty Patriot being as though the buggers at Orange don’t make them any more.

I want a real all-rounder. Easy to ride up hill and easy to ride back down. The current bike was/is very much set up as an all day hard hitting bike.

I weigh far too much so anything made of flimsy metal will likely bend under my bulk 😉

I just have no real idea what the hell a good bike is these days – 4 years out has left me a little information-less. Is an Orange AM160 likely to suit? I like the idea of air shocks (pumped up for my bulk)? But I really have no idea what is what.

Any help gratefully received.

Dr R Swank.

Potentially i’d re-furb the Patriot 1st on a budget and then see if your actually going to get back into it enough to spend a wad on a spangly bike. If you are then Orange 5 goes up and down well + has 5inches of travel. If budget is an issue Specialised pitch/xc/stumpy or Giant anthems all offer great value of the peg but aren’t as connecting to ride.

Get to your LBS and take there advice + demo as many bikes as you can!

Rebuild the Patriot! I rebuilt a bike twice that age a while ago.

LBS will not be likely to stock many of the parts you will need (you can be sure that some of the parts that you need will be quite specific). The LBS will be able to order stuff in but will struggle to be competitive on price. By all means check them out. My LBS reluctantly supplied a pair of forks at a competitive price. They grumbled that they didn’t make any money. I later suggested we got an online service running and the owner was totally against the idea, despite struggling in the current economic climate. He’s a friendly guy with good people skills, but is refusing to move with the times. I wish things were different.

Look for parts on sites like Wiggle, Chainreaction, woolly hat shop, merlin cycles etc.

Strip the frame yourself if it’s scratched too badly and then get it powder coated. I got mine done for £25.

I spent a few hundred quid on new forks, rear shock, drive train etc etc. The bike is to all intents and purposes a new bike now. I have leading edge bits that have transformed the ride. To have got this standard of componentry on a new bike, i would have to spend the best part of £2k or more.

If the bike isn’t totally unrideable at the moment, just get out there and do some short rides on a regular basis. The excess weight will start falling off if you keep a check on your calorie intake. Doing this will allow you time to research the rebuild and work out a budget. When you have the parts to hand, then you can strip the bike and thus minimise the time it will be out of action.

I sold a few of the old components on eBay (they weren’t all beyond any useful life). I was surprised how much I got for some of the old bits. As manufacturers tend to change their standards, some bits can be hard to get.

Taking this route shouLd win the approval of the missus given the savings. It’s also good for the environment because you are reducing your consumption. Mend and make do can be just as good, or better than replacing goods.

How much do you weigh? I’m 16stone and TBH I’d ride a scandium xc bike without any concerns

I would say you’d have to be pretty fit to enjoy riding something like an alpine 160 all day.

If I were you I’d get a decent cheapish hartail with a 130mm – 150mm fork, maybe with lockout. If you’re unfit it will be a lot more of a pleasure to challenge yourself on climbs, whereas with a big bouncer you’ll be sitting there slowly spinning.

456

Davey makes a very good point. From personal experience, it takes a lot of motivation and will to carry on riding a heavy 160mm+ travel bike for trail duties. If you’re coming back from a hiatus and aren’t in the best shape, then something a little lighter will make it a heck of a lot more enjoyable.

Santa Cruz Heckler, 20mm forks and bolt thru or DT RWS back end. Stiff fast strong not heavy trail bike for the man-sized man.

Ta.

I probably will try and get the Patriot sorted – I like it and 5 inches front:rear was enough (so should still be).

Hora – I’ve got a few pounds on you – LOL!!!!

There was time when I happily pedalled a Demo 8 around all day – but those days are sadly gone.

I do have an old Prince Albert for hardtail duties but I’ve always preferred the more relaxed riding position of the Patriot (I have a very short stem and wide riser bars).

I went on Chain Reaction last night looking for bits and to be honest got totally lost. Clearly chainsets and bottom brackets have changed since I last brought any!

I might tap the LBS up for advice, buy a few bits from them, and get a shopping list for online.

Whilst the frame is stripped down I might also see if Orange will re-spray it as it looks knackered!

I don’t really need forks/shock for it, or brakes. But the drivetrain and most of the bearings do not sound happy……

Dr R Swank

Oh, as for the Orange 5.

Had one.

Broke it……

I am heavy and a generally clumsy rider. Orange sorted me the Patriot frame as a warranty upgrade.

await’s ton trying to sell his latest bike.

Rebuild the Patriot… just do easy slow paced rides to start with .. do a bit of fitness training too…how about swimming? …even when you go with the kids do a few lengths/races with them to get a bit of a work out.. I got myself a spinning bike at home for the winter..

The bike i enjoy riding most is still my 2005 SX trail…heavy but i still get it up the hills and absolute magic going down. Getting a lighter hard core hardtail will be fun but i would get fit first and getting your Patriot serviced would still be cheapest…a few creaks & its four years old ! sounds fairly new to me & just needing some tlc!

did someone mention my name………….
advice needed for big blokes…i’m your man
need a big bike…..i’m your man
bikes for sale….i’m your man……….. ;o)

Aye offer him a small wad for his bum breaker stiffee

Stiffee, no.

Had a Cove.

Bent it……

It’s not that I’m totally out of shape. I’ve actually surprised myself with the fitness I’m still carrying. It’s just the Patriot now creaks like Thora Hirds hip replacements.

The problem is I reckon a new BB and chainset (and cassette and chain) are in order. New bearings in my Hope XC rear hub. New main pivot bearings. And a new saddle.

BUT – things have clearly moved on. I stoppped riding 4 years ago BUT the bike was already 4 years old then! I just can’t seem to find the bits and I got a sniff of a cheap bike on line and thought it’d be a better option in the long run.

I am definitely back into riding. An XC racer I am not, nor will I ever be. A fabulous free-rider I am not, etc.

But I like a larf and I will have a go.

The Patriot is my perfect bike. I checked and I’d even got the spec of it wrong. It’s 5″ rear, 6″ front, big Hayes brakes, King, Hope and Thomson finishing kit.

It was built to last. And it has. But it creaks.

For the first time in 4 years I’m heading to the Alps in August and I’m just a tad concerned it’ll die whilst I’m out there (and take it’s owner with it…..).

I am currently riding 3 times a week and enjoying it. I was never quick and I’m not afraid to push up hills (I’m in touch with my feminine side).

My problem is as above – buying bits ain’t easy.

Dr R Swank

The problem is I reckon a new BB and chainset (and cassette and chain) are in order. New bearings in my Hope XC rear hub. New main pivot bearings. And a new saddle.

£100 could sort that out!

nothing’s really changed in 4 years, Oranges are still the noisiest bikes on the hill.