I have a stage 5 too, but I hate climbing and don’t care where I am in the pack, I just sit and spin up to the top but can’t say it’s any better or worse than any other bike? In fairness rode Macc forest this weekend which has a number of pretty steep climbs and they were fine.

But, I know it’s a cliche, it’s just so much fun on the downs!! Really quick and assured, poppy and playful too, and that’s all I care about really.

I am on the debonair shock, which was improved massively when I stuck 4 bands in! added a Luftkappe to my pikes too which is amazing.

I’ve never seen anyone go fast uphill on and orange. It always looks like hell.

Thanks for replies

Last question i’m 5-10 and deciding whether to go M or L frame size. Seem to be just on the boundary between the two

Any thoughts from current owners?

I’m possibly a fraction taller at 179/180cm and the large I had a demo on felt spot on.

I’m 5’11” and riding a large. Running a 150mm dropper, and could probably fit a 170mm one in, so I think at 5’10 you would be fine.

Best climbing full suss I’ve owned!

Looks like L it is then!

I know i said last quesion before but…..

Any other thoughts on sizing or stuff to look for from other owners?

It’ll be first 29er i’ve owned but ready to give it a go i reckon

Only thing I would say is that I’ve had to add volume reducers to the shock on both Oranges I’ve owned (and I’m only 70ish kg). So worth bearing in mind if you find yourself blowing through the travel.

So the OP found climbing hard work on the Stage Five, jonundercover reckons all Oranges are crap at climbing but benman reckons the Stage Five is the “best climbing full suss” he’s owned. That’s cleared that up then 🙂

Compared to Friday where I could hardly ride

You might just’ve been poorly. I’ve been slightly ill for a week or so – not snivelling or coughing but when I try to pedal hard I just get tired. And I couldn’t run hardly at all last week. Something to consider.

Only had a very quick go on one but it felt quite perky uphill.

Thanks for replies

Last question i’m 5-10 and deciding whether to go M or L frame size. Seem to be just on the boundary between the two

Any thoughts from current owners?

I’m 5’10” and ride a size Large Stage 5. There’s loads of standover. I’m running a KS LEV dropper with 125 mm travel which I have to run a fair way out of the frame to get proper seated position when climbing. I will be upgrading it to a 150 mm travel dropper. The size Medium frame felt far too small for me.

On the sizing issue, I am under 5ft 8in and the medium felt too small for me. So I reckon large for you at 5ft 10in.

I’m 5′ 10″ and always ride medium Oranges – Patriots, Fives, Alpines, P7. I demoed a medium Stage 5 and it felt great size-wise and was a bloody good bike (though I ended up buying a new Five, which suited my priorities slightly better). I could ride a large but prefer the smaller frames, especially now they’re all a bit longer anyway. Good for very tight, techy stuff too, tho probably not quite so stable on fast straights. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

jonundercover – I know plenty of Orange riders who fly up hills – long ones, steep ones, techy ones. It’s not the bikes.

My sons just bought a Stage 5, it hasn’t slowed him going uphill!

My 2012 Patriot was an awesome climber with a CCDB coil and no platform switch. I loved that bike.

On the sizing issue, I am under 5ft 8in and the medium felt too small for me. So I reckon large for you at 5ft 10in.

That’s because you have weird ape arms. 5’8″ here and medium felt fine.

Fair point (it’s more my stumpy legs), but the fella’s 5ft 10in.

slight hijack, but quick un for you… would you ride your Stage 5 at Revolution BP?