But what else should I be looking at, I get the feeling that this may be a little expensive when it comes out. I’m not, and never have been, at a level to justify full sus (this year)
Looks great, I’m very partial to a thin tubed steel hardtail, to me they are the true ‘do it all’ bikes (if one even exists!?)…they’re usually strong enough for big forks and DH laughs yet efficient enough to make a good fist of an XC/trail type ride….and did I mention the thin tubed gorgeousness?!…..£500 seems like a bargain next to the £1000 I have been considering for a dream Curtis hardtail frame!….the reality is I’ll probably just spend £185 on a Dartmoor Hornet and try aluminium for my next hardcore hardtail but I can still dream.
Some great bikes coming out of the Eurobike show, loving the 65-66 degree HA hardtails that are becoming more mainstream now.
I sold my old black P7 last year to help fund my new full bouncer (Whyte G150). Seeing that picture is making me want to start afresh all over again though…
Have orange ever explained why they make it from cheapo steel?
Not sniping, just thought they’d have the clout to compete with cotic, Stanton etc if they wanted to.
Depends on what they are after. If you wanted dent resistance etc. then an expensive steel is a bit of a waste. 4130 builds great frames when done properly and expensive alloys only really come into their own if you want to run thin walled tubes, which not everyone does. In a funny way, Orange have the clout to use 4130 as they can create their own custom tubing profiles whereas smaller companies might opt for off the shelf higher spec tubing instead to save both in time, cost and thought required.
As the owner of a 4130 steel P7 (Tange I think) I can honestly say it rides bloody brilliant. I suspect that was what counted in the end. It really isn’t that heavy either. You can’t be talking much difference weight-wise between that, and if they made it out of something more exotic, I wouldn’t have thought
The point is that 853 is more expensive than 4130. Cotic Soul is £499 for 853 and the cro-mo BFe is only £349 (and that’s with an 853 downtube!). Not saying BFe and P7 are directly comparable frames but it’s significantly cheaper than than the soul.
What I really don’t get is the tiny front ring and mahoosive first cog… 😐
That set up gets you 83% of the ratios of a double… Thats about 3 usable gears. Personally I would happily lose 3 gears off a double in exchange for no front shifter or mech.
Depends on what they are after. If you wanted dent resistance etc. then an expensive steel is a bit of a waste. 4130 builds great frames when done properly and expensive alloys only really come into their own if you want to run thin walled tubes, which not everyone does. In a funny way, Orange have the clout to use 4130 as they can create their own custom tubing profiles whereas smaller companies might opt for off the shelf higher spec tubing instead to save both in time, cost and thought required.
I see what you’re saying, perhaps they’ll explain more when it gets a proper launch anyway.
Personally I’ve always found high-end multi-butted steel frames tough enough – even old-school XC noodles. That’s part of the appeal of steel in my eyes, it can take a dent if need be.
It’s a hardtail. Two triangles. It looks much the same as every other hardtail. The angles might be the “current cool whatever” and it might be made from the best material ever but it’s no different to any other hardtail I’ve ever seen.
It’s very hard to get excited over something that looks the same as every other frame consisting of a tail that is hard.
Looks nice and slack, perfect for steep technical stuff! Even slacker than the blue pig! Just what I’m after. I hope the 525 Reynolds is as springy as the 853 and I’ll be a potential buyer!
Have orange ever explained why they make it from cheapo steel?
Because they can sell it for the same price as other people’s expensive steel? And they can deal with any weight issue by just refusing to tell you what it weighs 😆
Have orange ever explained why they make it from cheapo steel?
Because they can sell it for the same price as other people’s expensive steel? And they can deal with any weight issue by just refusing to tell you what it weighs
It’s the far-eastern licenced version of Reynold’s bottom-end 4130 cromo. None of this means it’s bad, or unsuitable, of course, it just has a bearing on the value side of it.
Difficult to get further information on this but the Orange Crush has been given rave reviews. I’m definitely very interested in buying this bike. I just need someone to review it properly
That RS build spec is definitely what I’m looking for. Been looking at hard tails for a good while now. This ticks all the boxes and it just “looks” right for chucking around the Peak District. The new Pace HT is a close second though.
The 525 steel whilst not the lightest, these tubes hide the extra grammes surprisingly well, built for abuse, that the geometry incites. The 65′ head angle comes into its own on the steepest of technical trails, the 50mm stem and wide bars alleviate any sloppyness in the steering dept. whilst the hardtail rear end does nothing to hinder the winch & plummet style of riding this bike is built for. A durable build kit of trail proven parts finishes off this bike, but we’d like to see a dropper specced as standard on all models. Clearly not a race bike but one that’ll keep you competitive whilst chasing your mates on their gnarrpoons round trail centres & bike parks.