latest model, talk to me please 
Bike Forum
Orange ST4 owners
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Posted 4 months ago #
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anyone?
Posted 4 months ago # -
What do you want to know?
Posted 4 months ago # -
good, bad, indifferent?
Posted 4 months ago # -
evening crowd?
Posted 4 months ago # -
not as light as it used to be, expensive and a 5 pro is not much heavier or more expensive.
5 every time for me (love mine)
Posted 4 months ago # -
bump
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hi, i just bought an 18 month old ex demo pro spec one. Paint is obviously good quality as it has survived well without any extra protection
Reasons for considering the ST4
i'm 6' tall and need a 600mm top tube. On many bikes this means a larger frame than the 18" Orange.
I like: the clean lines, tyre clearances, shock well away from the mud, easy to clean
The frame is solidly built with well protected, good sized bearings, which look easily servicable
I wanted a bike with a good rear shock and front fork that i wouldn't have to upgrade. The Pro spec gives you this.
Riding impressions - I took it to a trail centre at the weekend
Climbing - I've set it up with plenty of sag at the back but it still climbs well with or without the propedal on. I've ended up setting the pro pedal to setting 1. On other bikes i've owned you have needed lots of extra air / lots of propedal to compensate for a wallowy back end.
On the road or long fire road i like to stretch my back out a bit by climbing out of the saddle. Lock the front fork, slip the pro pedal on and it does this just fine.
Riding along - I found it supple and good at smoothing judder when pedalling seated over rough ground. Climbing traction was very good. i'm sure lack of excessive pressure in the shock helps all this.
Rocky Descent - As others have said the back end feels like it has more than its 110mm when you are going down. I'm sure the long stroke, large air can, boostvalve version of the Fox RP23 plays a part in this.
Up front the excellent Fox float 120RL QR15 fork swallows rocks and dropoffs really well.
Corners - It's good and flickable and i felt more "in" the frame than many other bikes which keeps you stable in the corners. FWIW i had no feeling that the bottom bracket was too low.
Conclusions
From the reseach i did The early ST4 had a few problems ; a flexy back end, many of which broke, chain suck, low bottom bracket and that ugly and difficult to clean shock position. I think the new ST4 has sorted all these things out.
Downsides - It's a bit pricey as a frame only. Its not the lightest either -My frame and shock weigh a fraction over 3 kg, so whilst an off the shelf pro spec one is nearly 30 lbs you can get it to under 27 lb by losing lard whilst keeping wider rims and 2.25 tyres
All bikes are a compromise. You wouldn't race on it or take it to the Alps but for most things in between it would do a good job
If you had both 100mm travel and a 140mm travel bikes in your stable and wanted to replace both with just one bike then the ST4 would be a good choice
See if you can swing your leg over one.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Better off with a Five.
Posted 4 months ago # -
wow, cheers Mark.
Posted 4 months ago # -
2010 Model 16" frame any good for you?
Posted 4 months ago # -
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/12-orange-five-pro-or-orange-st4-pro-for-uk-trails
+ If you search back a bit there's quite a few posts.
Just had to sell mine . Gutted
Posted 4 months ago #
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