I have got an older 2006 I think Orange 5 but dont bother riding it much as I find it such a pig on climbs. It does excel on technical climbs but fireroad or (god forbid) road its a sod
1. Are the new ones any better?
2. Would it be worth upgrading the shock (Manitou swinger 3 way fitted at the moment) to something with a lockout?
Its as light as I can afford, mix of XT XTR Hope and Raceface with Revalations and I love it in most situations except uphill
Any thoughts?
any single-pivot bike is a crap climber unless you lock it out, which defeats the object really.
get a propedal fox and all will be fine, will stop it bobbing but let it move for traction, worth speaking to orange for what they'd recommend. I run a rp2 on my single pivot and climbs fine AFAICT
Ride more, get fitter. It will climb better then 
RichPenny - I agree more riding has fixed my 2010 five climbing.
Aye, reliant on a decent platform shock, an RP23 would likely see you right, but it may be more sensible to flog the frame and buy a new one frankly!
this is a "real" mountain bike and likes to be ridden hard so obviously the geometrys made to suit, so its not the fastest uphill, but point it downwards and you wont find a better trail bike, this is the latest five im talking about as the earlier models were a bit more climber freindly, if the climbing really bothers you thou get a scott spark or sumet.
this is the latest five im talking about as the earlier models were a bit more climber freindly
So the new ones are worse climbers?
Ride more, get fitter. It will climb better thenheehee..naughty
Yeah, wife and I have both got '09 and '10 Fives with 'Boost Valve' RP23 shocks and compared to the my Pace 405 (that I've just got rid of) and particularly my new Giant Anthem X, the Fives feel more sluggish on climbs ('tho the Giant weighs at least 2.5 lbs less than the lighter of our Fives - and it's much more of a XC biased machine).
IMO, the new 'boost valve' RP23's are excellent, the choice of the 3 ProPedal settings really come in handy - and I very rarely run without PP on. The PP threshold is un-noticeable when you start really hitting stuff - I've had full travel out of the shock in the firmest setting and not really noticed that its giving up full travel (if ya know what I mean?!).
For this year, Orange have tweaked the boost valve tune and the '10 bike climbs slightly better and the shock is more controlled in the mid-stroke - the bike has a perkier feel than the '09 shock tune (with the same sage setting).
So I guess you could try an RP23 with the latest tune - guessing it's gonna be cheaper than a new bike :wink:.
er..apologies if you already know, but it might also be worth trying running your existing shock with a bit less sag. Our local Orange dealer recommended 20% for more pedally rides and up to 40% for mucking about type stuff. I normally run about 30% sag, but when I tried 20% on the '10 bike it reet perked it up on the climbs.
Good luck!
yes definitly, but like i said its a trail bike and by far the best out there, if you want a good climber get a xc bike.
More of a plodder up the hills but a fox rp23 would definately be a good upgrade for your five, the newer ones are slacker so def won't be better climbers than yours if you get a decent platform shock.
I have an 03 sub 5 with 08 swinger 3 way and an 07 five with rp23 and the 2 shocks are worlds apart in performance up and down.
My 04 Orange5 climbs great. No bob with the original 3way swinger or with a 4way coil swinger since the 3way died. Hadn't twigged that the geometry changed much over the years.
stevede's plan sounds a good 'un - I think the earlier bikes def have better geometry for climbing than the latest ones. The new 'slackers' are insanely good fun on descents though 
Pedalling action on the new 'uns is fine, it's just that the steering can get a bit floppy on really steep climbs unless you really keep your weight on the bars - swing & roundabouts I s'pose?
this is a "real" mountain bike and likes to be ridden hard so obviously the geometrys made to suit, so its not the fastest uphill, but point it downwards and you wont find a better trail bike,
Surely a "real" mountain bike would be good on the climbs, too?
Righto, glad its not just something up with mine then, I will just accept that it is the right bike for certain rides and maybe see about shock upgrades in the future
I will stick to my rigid SS if I want to go uphill fast
I've had two Orange 5's: a 2007 and a 2009. Both climbed well but i always used the Propedal in its maximum setting to help prop the bike up and keep the angles steeper.
Sounds like you need better technique and stronger legs perhaps......
Shaggmiester....so only 'XC' bikes are good climbers hey?? Not sure how you worked that one out.
EDIT: It will feel sluggish compared to your hardtail. My handjob climbs superbly, feels far quicker than any full-sus i've owned.
need better technique
What would be better technique? serious question
I go from being 1st/2nd/3rd to the top of hills on my hard tail to next to last on the 5 unless its rocky/technical then I'm often the only one to ride the whole climb (in my little riding group)
also depends on the fork, plus technique (and fitness)
lol i agree with penny too ! (ride more-get fittter)....nice i like that !
i have an orange five pro 2009.... i do alot of climbing....mines fine ,ok ive heard that the lappierres are better climbers but for an all round xc bike the five is the way forward...
Better technique might be not using the granny ring (i rarely used the granny rings on mine as it pedalled horribly), dropping your elbows abit and moving further forward on the saddle to counter-act the relatively slack angles??
Depends on the build of the bike as well; too many variables......
Orange 5 to SS hardtail is a pretty big difference though.
oops yep 'nickegg' that just reminded me.... wen i climb, ive learnt to drop my elbows (it actually helps ALOT when climbing ! (GOOD ADVICE ) i forgot to mention it... (its top secret actually)...lol
Hmmm do sometimes find a "sweet spot" after moving seatpost up and down, maybe seat height is a bit wrong
Yes understand that fully rigid SS is a big change thats why I have one as can feel the difference between that and my hardtail but my 5 seems so much more inefficient
I find my '10 Five climbs very well, I do leave PP in for climbs though. Climbs better than my old '07 Stumpy FSR, '07 Enduro FSR and almost as well as my old '02 Stumpy FSR.
No dramas!
....i have a Handjob and a Zesty. I love riding one then the other as they're both great at different things, also just depends on my mood too sometimes.
Both are similar build wise, XT drivetrain, Fox forks etc......
they are brillant climbers just pedal and spin.I don`t notice any hugh difference in climbing.I always think it is down to fitness and your climbing style. Two styles spinning which i like or grinding big gears which i dont 
I was definitely a grinder....i found the suspension became 'over-active' (i think!) when pedalling in the granny ring. It was best in the middle ring IME.
These sorts of single pivots don't seem to pedal at all well in the granny ring.
So, basically if you are really fit you can pedal any bike up a hill.
What about the average-rider?
hora, push like usual........
Basically, if you set up the suspension correctly it'll pedal and climb quite well.
If it's set too firm and too fast it'll climb poorly.
So, basically if you are really fit you can pedal any bike up a hill.
Eh no Patriots do not like being pointed uphill.
any single-pivot bike is a crap climber unless you lock it out,
No probs climbing with my five, rarely use the pro pedal, just drop the travel on my forks and get going never noticed it bob around, bit of effort rewarded hugely on the way down!
I'm really looking forward to having a go on a 5 tomorrow. Liked them for ages but it's really for a mate, my knolly is just too good.
I'll post an absolutely neutral POV tomorrow.
I admire orange and hope I like it.
Depends which version of the patriot you've got, how you set the head angle, and if you've got a clue how to set up suspension.
Then Patriots go uphill quite well. Even with the FR build.
nixon_fiend - Member
any single-pivot bike is a crap climber unless you lock it out, which defeats the object really.
Have you actually ever ridden a single pivot, or is that just an 'internet fact'?
My Rush climbs as well as any other full-sus I've ever ridden.
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