The 2020 Orange Five is incredibly the ‘Mark 12’ version of this iconic, British-made full suspension bike from Orange Bikes. It’s no small thing that the Orange Five is doubtless the best-selling British-made bike ever, tracing its roots back 20 years, so every update, however small, needs attention.
Orange Five Launched
Following the launch of the Alpine6 last week, it seemed logical to hope for a Five launch soon, and here it is.
For 2020, at first look, there doesn’t seem to be that much difference from the previous model. Look closer, though, and there are a load of small changes that add up to a great deal.
So what’s new for 2020
Starting with the overall look. The previous generation introduced the keyhole-shaped, curving top tube and the much more compact tube dimensions, but the 2020 version has taken all of those tubes (every one, bar the seat tube) and tweaked and re-shaped them all. The biggest visual difference, though, has to be in the graphics.
Orange (rightly) reckoned that the bike’s distinctive silhouette speaks for itself. Nothing looks like an Orange Five, so the big ‘Orange’ logo has gone, to be replaced by a subtle Orange under the top tube. The rest of the graphics have smartened up, and are now waterslide transfers, applied in panels over the base powdercoat and then clearcoated on top – which has the added benefit of giving your paint a second layer of protection.
Now to the numbers! The Five, like the Alpine, uses a metric shock, which allows the latest and greatest shocks to be accommodated, and it has given the bike an extra 5mm of travel, up to 145mm with a 150mm fork up front. That 5mm figure appears a lot in this new bike too – the BB is 5mm lower, the pivot is 5mm lower and the pivot dimensions are 5mm wider a side, for an overall 10mm increase in rigidity for the pivot.
The head angle is now 65°, so a degree slacker than before, with the effective seat tube remaining at 74°. Reach has crept up a little too (10mm on the Large) while headtubes on the bigger frames have been shortened.
A few words from Orange bikes
“The Five still rolls on 27.5 inch wheels, albeit with meatier tyres than last year, maintains its 150mm travel fork but gains additional travel at the rear which now sits at 145mm. It has adopted the use of a metric shock and the frame has been tuned to be more progressive offering more support and bottom out resistance whilst we’ve also improved small bump compliance in the initial part of the stroke. We’ve also slightly reduced the bikes anti-squat numbers, but it still has that great turn of pace and dynamic delivery you’d expect when you get on the pedals.”
“Much like its stable mate the Alpine 6 we have made sizing revisions to the Five giving people a better range to choose from. The XS has been dropped from the range while we’ve added a XXL at the other end of the scale and shortened the seat tube on the XL.“
The bikes should be on sale… now. So get down to your Orange dealer if you’re keen to see one. Here are the prices:
- Five Pro starting at £3,900
- Five RS starting at £4,850
- Five Factory starting at £5,700.
- Five XTR at £6,700.
Each of these bikes is available in a choice of 10 colours, orange and black are free with the other 8 costing an additional £100. There are also three decal options to choose from.
And for those thinking ‘Hmm… Alpine6 last week, new Five this week, so that means that next week is…’ – I’m afraid you’re wrong. Orange only showed us two bikes in Italy…
As you’d expect from Orange, there’s a great launch video, so sit back an enjoy it…
- Frame Size S M L XL XXL
- Wheelbase 1176 1197 1217 1240 1261
- Reach 429 447 467 483 502
- Stack 599 608 608 621 626
Comments (16)
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2020 bikes eh? Time flies… the New Year seems only 3 months ago.
It plays havoc with our Christmas present shopping… 🙂
“The 2020 Orange Five is incredibly the ‘Mark 12’ version of this iconic, British-made hardtail……”
So what is the rear shock for in 2020 ?
You know nothing has really changed when the biggest talking point is how they apply the branding
2018 geometry, bless.
erm that’s not a 10 year old Five….
“erm that’s not a 10 year old Five….”
Indeed. And the fact that Chipps can’t tell the difference rather undermines his point..!
;0)
Door? not filing cabinet…
Could they not find somewhere better to put bottle cage?
Should all manufacturers just drop the year model from any new bikes? When they were all released in October or something then it was believable but 2020 model out in March 2019 is just plain silly.
Ugly, heavy, expensive, backward. Choose four.
The new Five and Alpines are looking great.
Good work guys
I’d love a Five but it underlines how mountain biking has well and truly left me behind when the “basic” Five Pro is £3.8k.
They forgot their jackets….
Anyone know who the music is by?
I’m not sure who the music is by but it might be in this list: https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/83136