What’s good, in this situation? I swapped a Last Herb DH (clever single-pivot-with-linkage suspension) with a 224 Evo (very unclever suspension). The Herb was better– faster, more stable, more composed. The 224 was more fun though, and simpler to ride, no learning curve. There’s no question the Herb was better, technically. But I prefered the Orange.
Pretty much every suspension design has its advantages and disadvantages and can be executed well or poorly, in a bike which is otherwise well or poorly designed. It’s hard to isolate it and for most people it’s impossible to judge what’s implementation and what’s fundamental. And even if you can, it comes down to what you like.
The 5 is renowned for being very stiff, isn’t it?
Nah, it’s really pretty flexy at the back- no wonder when you consider it’s basically 2 big flat spars joined a looong way forwards. It’s no bad thing imo. (as long as you don’t combine it with a flexy wheel, which to be fair, Orange generally do)
I did some unscientific testing, my 224’s rear end seemed to be roughly as stiff as my titanium hardtail 😆