So I've finally succumbed to the growing pressure to join the Orange Five club. I make no apologies to all the Orange haters out there (why the feelings run so strong is anyone's guess).
Ride one: 1000m up and down around Les Gets + Morzine.
Climbed up Mt Cherry from Les Gets, then round the back to Encrenaz, up to Col du Basse, then down to Essert Romand, then back up to Les Gets.
Plenty of dry dusty stuff, some mud, leaves, snow and ice thrown in there for good measure.
Verdict - it's just ace. Fun with a capital F. Most similar bike I've ridden to my old Blur 4x.
IMG_4290 by guybowden, on Flickr
IMG_4296 by guybowden, on Flickr
Build is standard Pro
Float 32 RLC FIT fork
Plus thompson bits
Sunline V1 745 bar
XTR shifters
XTR Trail pedals (very nice btw)
tubeless upgrade - 2.2 conti mountain kings. Pleasantly surprising how good these were, I thought they'd be the first things to go.
Avid Elixir 5 brake "downgrade" - as nice as hope brakes are to look at, they just don't cut it here for extended riding for some reason - don't know why - plus this downgrade help pay for the XTR goodies 
And once the Straightline Silent Guide arrives, it'll be a 1x10 with 34t chainring.
Plus a reverb post when Rockshox get around to delivering more of them!
Nice brown colour as well.
Let the Orange flaming begin! I'm off riding
