Hazzard Racing Orange Bikes – Wait, Is That A New Formula Coil Shock?

Does this Orange Bikes press release tease a new coil shock from Formula?

Hazzard Racing has revealed the Orange Bikes they’ll be riding this year – and that you can buy too. In amongst the pictures we think lurks something that is much more interesting than just new paint – what’s listed as a secret shock in the spec list looks to us like a new coil shock, likely from Formula.

First, the press release from Orange

‘Can you believe it has been a year already! Hazzard Racing are straight back into the fold after a substantial hiatus, but just like a good old pair of slippers they were always the perfect fit. To celebrate the baes and their rut-bashing-antics we’ve decided to commission two signature models which they will also race for the 2020 season…So what exactly are are the Hazzard weapons of choice? An Alpine 6 and a Switch 6. The Alpine 6 rigs have served the team well through 2019 and are one of their firm favourites, but the energy and speed that the Switch 6 brings to the party is hard to ignore and for more U.K oriented tracks could be the perfect tool!’

‘Every aspect of this bike is as the team bikes will be for 2020, Hazzard Racing has a dream list of component sponsors in the form of Formula, Hope, OneUp, Gusset, Schwalbe and Shimano and of course Orange, custom decals and numbered builds making these some of the most exquisite bikes on the market. Add to this that only 10 of each model are being produced and it really is a special bit of kit. ‘

‘How much? It’s a very sensible question. U.K made frame, Italian suspension, British CNC’d eye candy and a cockpit from one of the industries greatest innovators… £5200! … These bikes will only be available through our network of dealers, so we recommend people get in touch…quickly.’

Then we have some words of stoke from Joe Barnes:

And then things start to get interesting. Check out the spec lists:

Alpine 6 Hazzard Spec

Switch 6 Hazzard Spec

And now let’s look at the photos. They’re almost coy on the Alpine 6 shots:

But the Switch 6 images give a full view:

It’s unbranded and devoid of labels, but we reckon this could be a new shock from Formula. Joe Barnes has been seen riding an EXT shock before now, and we did think maybe this could be a purple spring to match the Formula forks and Gusset grips, but the lockout and rebound switches and dials just aren’t in the right place. Which could mean it’s a new EXT shock, but we think a Formula coil shock seems more likely. There’s no MTB shock in their line up at present, so it would be a sensible addition.

With Chris Porter’s Mojo Rising being the distributer of both EXT and Formula in the UK, this could pose some interesting questions for him. His Geometron bikes come with an EXT shock, and he’s been clear he thinks they’re top notch. So if this is a Formula shock, how will he position them in the market? Which would he tell you to buy from him? Hmm….

Whichever brand it does turn out to be, it’s interesting to see another coil shock entering the market. It seems that with the technology improving and weights dropping, coil shocks are coming back into favour. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for further news on what this secret shock is.

Update!

We’ve just seen the shock in the flesh, so here are our own spy shots!

Orange Switch 6 Hazzard Edition Gallery

Orange Alpine 6 Hazzard Edition Gallery

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

More posts from Hannah