[Closed] Alternatives To A Five?

@northwind - "YT" what's this? Arrrgh, just rubbed ghost pepper insanity sauce in my eye. Ouch...

Heckler now with 160mm xfusion vengeance (170mm geo really with 10mm longer a2c).
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Rides lovely

[url= http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/index.php?page=product&info=210&x25582=ar8sgpn7g971lqgevvjj6nuaedvrtrds ]http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/index.php?page=product&info=210&x25582=ar8sgpn7g971lqgevvjj6nuaedvrtrds[/url]

That FTM has a STEEEEEP head angle. 69.5 degrees. For an Orange 5 alternative I would steer clear, you want 68 degrees minimum - 67 degree preferable.

Always end up saying the same thing- go to YT, get a full bike for barely more than the price of a Five frame.

What and wait for 4 months to get a bike off them and deal with shit poor customer service? No thanks, I could build a decent Orange 5 build for 2250 buying select discounted parts.

The nice thing about the Oranges is the frame stiffness (tracking when lent over and trail feel) and geometry is bang on. The Alpine 160 rides as nicely if not nicer than my old mans Nomad, save for brake jack (brakes are for wussies anyway, hey?).

Like it or not Orange have a big history in racing, YT do not - Consequently the Orange frames have had a lot of history and thought put into design aspects such as trail feel. I'd sooner race the 224 (which I've ridden) than the Tues 2.0 (which I have also managed to ride).

If you crack a YT frame try getting a new frame in under a week on warranty.

bwaarp - Member

What and wait for 4 months to get a bike off them and deal with shit poor customer service? No thanks, I could build a decent Orange 5 build for 2250 buying select discounted parts.

That's still massively more expensive! And as for 4 months, you are just making it up I'm afraid, delivery times vary on the YTs depending on supply but for the Wicked it is 12 days right now.

As for customer service- everyone I know who's used them has been very happy, except the one guy who didn't pay any attention to the lead times he was given before ordering.

But it's fair enough to say that you do lose out on the ability to try before you buy, Orange have a decent test fleet and it's not hard to get a go on one.

genesis grapil when its out later in the year.

Five. It's the one I always end up back at when the "need" for a FS makes its presence known in the grey matter, & options are daydreamed about.

Affording one is something else though. Might treat myself to a go on a hire one from Swinnertons next time I get a day free on the Chase.

Zesty, Blur LT, Blur TRc, Butcher, Spicey, Cube Stereo, there are very few bad bikes just lots to choose from

Surprised nobody's suggested a Hustler.

CRC have some decent deals on frames at the mo - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=48732

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mojo5pro - Member

If the five is the one you want more than the others but it's just the price then get a second hand one. Otherwise the itch will still be there!

This is what I did and ended up with a pretty good value bike with careful selection of on sale components. It did take 8 months to get there but I wasn't in a rush so it was fine.

I have been looking at the El Guapo though with envious eyes. 😀

Heckler would be ideal I reckon. Don't be put off by the seemingly steep angles. It's pretty much a smaller Bullit, which is such a fun bike to ride. Still considering going down to a Heckler actually.

Recent Alps trip one of my pals had a Zesty carbon thing ( no idea what number)

It went like stink, was as light as a feather and didn't break. Just giving I a quick blast you were made aware how capable it was.

As the thread has concluded,there isn't an alternative,it's not been invented yet !,a bit like the wheel replacement !,I hope your questions have been answered

If you want a five buy one. You can always put all the bits onto another frame at a later date and the five will sell on easily if you want a change.

The Mega's are great value and those who have them like them very much but it's a different bike than a 5. Much more freeride/mini-dh orientated.

There are many many great frames around for £1000 or a little more.

As the thread has concluded,there isn't an alternative,it's not been invented yet !,a bit like the wheel replacement !,I hope your questions have been answered

???? I think the thread has suggested loads of alternatives 🙂

Just not if you limit it to an Orange five or Single pivot bike made in Yorkshire

Having thought long and hard about what I want, I've decided its not a Five. Currently have a Blur 4X which I love to bits and I just can't sell it for something that might only be 'as good' as the Blur. So I think I need to get something better and that leaves one option (for me) really... Blur TRc. Lighter, longer, modern day Blur 4X. Money might be an issue but whilst I'm saving/pondering more, SC might pull their fingers out and bring out an alloy version... Heres hoping.

And as someone has mentioned, an El Guapo might be an option with a slackset. Need to get a go on one though...

Or after reading the review in the latest mag, a Yeti SB66.

Either way, I don't think my next bike will be a Five.

nmdbase - Member

Had a new Heckler and I have a new Five, they are different bikes, I prefer the Five even though it is uggggly
Posted 6 days ago

same for me...

 

cope with pretty much anything a Five will do without the horrendous noise, brake jack and eye popping ugliness

Mines silent and I've never had brake jack. Tis ****in ugly though...

I've had a Turner 5-spot, Yeti ASR-7 amongst various other bikes and none have ridden as well as the 5. I bought mine through sunset MTB, came with orange finishing kit, 140mm Fox forks and an RP23. Now has lyrics, CCDB, wider bars and stuff and its really really good. I always used to take the piss out of them but I seriously encourage you to have a test ride on one. They really are that good

deluded - Member

Surprised nobody's suggested a Hustler.

Having riden one for the last five years (including Alps trips) I can say that it certainly up to the job however it doesn't climb as well as others mentioned and or as light. Cracking price on CRC though.

Actually, have you considered the carbon Remedy Daveyboy?

Full bikes are under £3k now that sale season is here and the geometry looks awesome.

I know the Fuel EX carbon is a hell of a bike anyway.

Remedy or those newer shorter travel ones (the EX?) with the slacker angles etc look good. They're a possibility. Maybe. Don't really want a full bike though. Got pretty much my perfect componentry - just need a longer, lighter version of the Blur 😉

I test rode a Five and really enjoyed it.
Was waiting for a decent second hand frame, ended up with a Pitch.
The angles are pretty similar to a Five and it's lots of fun... and cost much less than a similar age Five.

One of my mates has a five for sale. The frame is a brand new warranty replacement and pretty much unused. The rest is about 3/4 years old.
I think he wants about £1800.

That FTM has a STEEEEEP head angle. 69.5 degrees.

For the Alps or Fort Bill maybe. I'd say for normal UK riding, it's plenty slack enough.

If the FTM were considered to lack slack would a slackset not offer the solution?

yeah you should be able to get a -1.5 at least.
just avoid the FTM alloy? i didn't realise, and nearly bought one, that bike had problems (high failure rate), maybe still does?