“Strange” as you like – It’s not definitely for production yet (or indeed ever) but this prototype frame from Orange uses the same swing link driven shock single pivot system as the Blood and the upcoming 225 downhill bike that got it’s first outing at the Andorran round of the World Cup over the weekend.
The swingarm is pure old style Patriot though – why change what isn’t broken? – and the general idea is that the linkage makes the initial bit of travel super plush so it tracks over braking bumps and other terrain in a much more refined way. This large sized frame has got 180mm of rear wheel travel from a 3.25″ stroke shock. The frame really needs 180mm+ forks up front to work properly – the forks on this bike are some rather rare 190mm travel ’07 Marzocchi 66s – but RockShox Totems would be a good fit for slopestylers/burly freeriders and you could always put on some Boxxers/Fox 40s to turn it into a nice UK downhill bike. The angles are typical Orange, so nice and slack at the front and a decently low BB but tweaking hasn’t finished yet. Test rider reports from this corner of the Alps are that it fires itself out of corners like some kind of rocket-device.
Should be interesting to see where this goes and if it ever makes it into production. With any luck we won’t have seen the last of the Orange Patriot name…
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Wot Phutphutend said.
I have an 07 and love the adjustability. It’s like 2 bikes in one.
The new one looks heavy and fugly. Is it really better?
ugly has a new mascot.
It is a prototype so it’s more about how it rides than how it looks, but if you don’t care how it rides and want swoopy lines then this may not be the bike for you.
Won’t be as good as my Alpine 5 ;] Well it might be…….
On the 2 secs I bounced on it it felt great.
FACT
Thanks for the positive comments. Two frames have been made and will be ridden over the summer. Initial testing have been very encouraging, the link has been fitted to make the first 40mm of the travel very supple then the suspension ramps up steeply.
The rear is made from 224 parts but is 20mm shorter giving a 425mm/16.75”chainstay. If it was put into production, Maxle dropouts arn’t a problem but due to the shorter rear end the wheel/seatube clearance is tight when a big tyre is fitted so a shock mount slider has no room to slide.
Its looking like these will be the only two made but the Patriot name will be back in some form.
can I have one?