[Closed] Better than I ever thought possible. Warning, new bike content.

My initial thought was 29.4lbs??!?
But then I noticed the uppy down post, then the 36s...
What you planning on doing with that then, the mega?
Niiiice tho.

Althepal those are 32's, not 36's. I wanted a bike that gets me through, over and down pretty much anything, whilst maintaining the ability to get me up without too much effort. Does the trick and then some...

1.4lb pedals? Sounds like something to upgrade upto the level of the rest of the bike?

What... Start upgrading already...? The bike was weighed with pedals, it's a little over 28 without. They're Shimano DX at 1.25lb. I built the bike with weight in mind but it wasn't my over riding concern, I wanted pedals that give support and can be used with trainers for the times I throw the leg over for a little ride with the lad.

At least you've accurate scales, unlike most on here 🙂

Nice looking bike welcome to the 5 club 🙂

Very nice 😀

Thanks erny / jeffus. To be honest the five wasn't even on my short list, funny how things work out... Probably quite a controversial decision considering what I demo'd, but they have that 'something'. God it rides nice!

I have the Shimano DX pedal in the picture. I like them but I wouldn't want to ride them with trainers for long or if I had drunk a pint!

The support aspect is overrated since the stiffness of most cycling shoes doesn't really allow you to benefit from that extra support imho. I like my Shimano 540 pedals just as much as my DX pedals, and they are hard to tell apart in use with a typical pair of shoes ime. The difference is 200g.

I had tiny little 'time' pedals on my last bike and it always bothered me that it was more or less impossible to ride without changing shoes, this is only for very short rides and does the trick. Christmas soon 😉

Out of interest what were the other bikes you tried?

Since when was a 5 'overbiking yourself'? Do you ride towpaths? 😉

Nice though.

Wow - top job - glad it rides as good as it looks 😛

I've so over biked my self it's hilarious

Being over biked rocks . . . always something in reserve, just in case 😉

I didn't think i liked the Orange five, but that is very nice! That is indeed why we all go to work isnt it? Im going to wash my bike now and try and console myself.

Bike looks awesome!

"a little velcro to protect the swingarm from the chain" - how does that work then?? Just a strip of sticky backed Velcro on the inside and underside of the swing arm presumably?

Lovely bike man enjoy.

Def agree with b r nice to see some actuate scales for once on stw

Brake-neck, tested the following; (in order)

Yeti ASR-5 (aluminium)
Ibis Mojo SL (carbon)
Specialized Epic 29'r (carbon)
Orange Five
Transition Covert

The Yeti and Covert are awesome, was a pretty close call between the three.

When I say 'over biked' it's really just a nod towards gents on the forum who [probably rightly] note that you don't need much bike to have fun... This cost a few quid and i'm really only a weekend warrior, no other time to get out.

Hilton83 I was the same. Whilst the five was on my initial list it's looks had it low in the pecking order. I don't really like the bright colours most go for and the red one I tested was 'functional' looking at best. Then my LBS built a custom one for sale in Chrome and the colour works really well. Personally i think it looks the nuts; it's not exactly 'pretty' but very purposeful looking.

Thomohawk that's exactly it. LBS staff have all had fives at some time and knew what to do. The velcro is about a inch wide and protects the bottom and inside, but is completely invisible from the side. There was no way I was wrapping the swingarm in rubber as it looks a bit off. Not a sound yesterday 🙂

good job in getting around to be able to test all those bikes - what did you do, hit the trail centres that have those on demo? (when I tried, I could get demos around a car park, which isn't that much use tbh!). Nice bike, glad you're pleased with it. The fact that you rode it around and enjoyed it is more important than it's weight, imho. Too much tech obsession (me included......)

I live in the Surrey Hills and there are a fair few quality dealers around. Pretty much all of them allow you to take a bike away for the weekend for a small fee (around £25- £30). All will refund if you buy from them. My LBS stock Specilaized, Orange and Yeti and i went to two others for the Ibis and Transition. It was a really interesting exercise.

As the bike shop built it up to my spec I suffered massive tech obsession for a few weeks. Some decisions were easy but I lost sleep over the XTR cranks - bugger me but they're expensive 😳 Still, now I've got it I'm over the moon with the lot. If anyone wants a kit list I'll post it.

Lol, I'm having the exact same dilemma about XTR cranks at the moment.

That looks pretty good for a Five. Nice sensible, usable build that should be a lot of fun in a lot of circumstances.

Nice one, really like that. Just give them to me instead Matt, then you'll have done your bit for young riders and you can sleep easy 😉

Really nice bike, I'm seriously jealous, but if the LBS is as good as you say then tell us who they are!

Stupid Velcro question:-
Hook or loop? ❓

Stofish - Cycleworks in Haslemere.

Riksbar - loop.

Ask - nice colour I love the chrome grey

How does this Velcro thing work then? Very intrigued as it would be better than current lizard skin ugly thing? Close up pics as never heard of this before!

Wildly, the chain only hits the bottom and inside as you know. The 'loop' side of velcro provides plenty of protection and sticks nicely to the swingarm. Use Velcro an inch thick or so and start from the outer edge of the bottom and wrap round and inside. If you look closely at the pic you can see a black strip running up the length of the swingarm.

I'll post some pics later.

Cheers ask appreciate the pics later, where did you get it from buddy? What are the loops you speak of though, is it self adhesive stuck on, with the fluffy side taking the hits? I'm definitely gonna change to this can't believe I've missed this before!

Something I never thought I'd see myself write: what a nice looking Orange 5.

This blows away everything I tested and the 5 pro simply pails in comparison.

Pass the sick bucket 😉

Looks pretty nice, I like the colour.

Wildly, as promised here are some photos. I'll pop them in the thread you started as well for others to find. Apologies for the blue tint to the images I had to enhance the shadows to better detail the Velcro, had a knock on effect...

Close up of underside

[img] [/img]

Length of swing arm

[img] [/img]

Inside of swingarm

[img] [/img]

Cheers.

Nice work dude, welcome to the world of Orange - you won't regret it. I've got 3 and about to make it 4 8)

We're you out on it a couple of weekends back around the PunchBowl? I remember seeing a rider on what looked like a new 5, like yours!

Sweet dude !.

Enjoy, you lucky, lucky man.
😀

Very nice indeed

They are taking over the world!

I remember when I got my Five in 2004 (it's gone to a new owner now), I was convinced I would love an Enduro, but thought a Stumpy would be about the right amount of travel.

Think the stumpy was 120 and the enduro was 130 back then.

Test rode all three one day on Cannock Chase, was very disappointed with the Enduro, felt hard work, the stumpy felt sketchy as hell, then I got on the 5, a revelation, loved it.

Bought one.

Might buy another if a I get a good bonus.

lucky bugger , nice ride matey. however should you get board of it i am preperd to swap you a goat , 2 chickens , £100.00 cash , and some freerange eggs.

That's-not-my-name, I ride the punch bowl almost every week but only collected my five this last Friday. I rode the bowl a few weeks ago on an orange one but that was a demo bike.

That is a lovely looking 5. i have an 08 one that started as a pro and now all xt and it weighs in bang on 28lbs. drooling over that new one though 🙂

Great looking/spec'd bike, been out on mine riding a 20 mile XC loop today... one of my best experiences was chasing and overtaking guys on downhill bikes in the Alps... Great do it all piece of kit and a doddle to maintain.. enjoy!

"the five pro pails in comparision"..please elaborate 😯

Ask1974 - I'll keep an eye out for you as I ride around there a lot, too. I've got an Orange ST4 and used to have a Sub 5, so enjoy your new 5.

I've taken a week off leading into Christmas to spend time with wife and kids. Somehow I think much time will also be spent flying around the hills. Added a Fender Bender 2.1 today and went for a quick spin down the road just for the hell of it, nearly kept going...

XTR Chainsets...buying them is the easy bit, replacing the rings is the wallet emptier! You can buy a full set of Raceface rings for the price of a XTR outer ring!

Mojo5pro I tested two five pro's, a 18" and a 17". Obviously loved them but the build on mine is very different. The RP23 and Float 140 RLC's feel much smoother and offer a plusher ride. The brakes (XT 203/180) are unbelievably powerful and not even bedded in, but I think the biggest difference are the wheels / tyres. I have Mavic Crossmax ST with Specialzed tubeless at low pressure. Compared to the bikes I tested it just feels faster, more agile with better grip and feel.

A group of us were riding in the Lakes today, stopped for a regroup near Iron Keld, & were soon joined by what looked like the Orange Owners Club...

But it was a large group of riders from Biketreks an Orange demo day.

Not a fan myself, but the 'Strange' 29er looked ace !

That's-not-my-name I'll keep an eye out too. We usually ride Saturdays and hit the top of Gibbet around 0830, stopping for tea at the cafe around 1030 after a few up and downs. Off to Pitch Hill next week to ride with a few mates who know Pitch, Holmbury and Leith like the back of their hand. Should be a lot of fun 😀

Not into "big" bikes but if i was i'd want the 5 it's a very nice bike

It looks like some filing cabinets.

That bike ith thweet man.
If your'e like me, you'll just want to keep going once your'e out on it. Doesn't matter how knackered I am, I always want to go further on my 5, ****in love it.
(Mines 'only' 28.5lbs though!)

welcome to the 5 owners club, you will never look back!!

I think that's the nicest 5 I've seen and I say that having seen it in the flesh- it really does look something very special and somehow less 'agricultural' than the other 5s I've seen. Enjoy!

Ezzy, did I ride with you yesterday?

Stunning "Five" there mate, and the XTR just sets it off perfect.

Any chance of full spec list and some more pics??? e-mail me if you prefer.

Need spec list to put on my letter to Santa...!!!!!
Please hurry as last post to Lapland this week.

Steve

Hi Steve. Here goes...

Orange 5 with RP23 and Maxle rear end.
Fox float 140 RLC forks
Mavic Crossmax ST wheels with Specialized purgatory 2.3" tyres
XT 11/36 cassette
XT front mech
XT shifters
XT brakes with 203 and 180 rotors
XTR shadow plus rear mech
XTR 2 x 10 chain set
Renthall fat boy handle bars and 50mm stem
Rockshox Reverb post and SDG Bell Air saddle

I think that's it...

ask1974

No don't think I saw you around Peaslake but did see the bike in the lbs with the forks off when I popped in after the ride. Still looks gorgeous! Such a fantastic build.

Ah, the one you saw is the rig they built for sale, it was this bike that pretty much made my mind up aesthetically. I ordered mine two weeks ago but Orange couldn't get the forks in good time, one of the lads gave them what for on Thursday and got the frame to the store inside 24h. They took the forks of the one you saw.

Mine is a little different as you can see from the list above but the Chrome colour rocks!

Good ride? I'm off to Peaslake next Sunday.

That explains it. I do lust after it everytime I'm in the shop.

Ride good thanks. Did a latish one and thought to myself that it's about time I sorted out some lights but they're not cheap!