Forum menu
Buying a new bike ?...
 

[Closed] Buying a new bike ? Read this first ........ Orange content

Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 
[#4066053]

My 2 year old Orange Alpine started playing up a bit a couple of weeks ago, creaking and making generally horrible noises under power.
Flipping it over I noticed a very think black line on the rear swingarm that looked like it might have been a crack.
I chucked the bike in the boot and took it over to Orange HQ where Ben took a really good look at it and confirmed a crack. He asked how quickly I needed it back as they'd need to replace the swingarm and if I could wait they'd strip the front end to check for further cracks and I could therefore have a colour change.
Anyway, just got my bike back today, completely refinished in their new polished ally effect silver powder coat, new bottom bracket because mine was gritty and new cables.
Absolutely stunning service from Orange, exceptionally helpful throughout and a huge reason why I'll never buy anything other than an Orange. This isn't the first time I've had warranty issues with Orange and they have absolutely blown every other company I've ever dealt with for ANYTHING clean out of the water. They absolutely go right out of their way to make you happy. When I had an issue with my 5 year old 5 and whilst they could have shrugged and told me to sod off based on the age of the frame, they sold me a new frame for half price, chucked in a custom colour upgrade, maxle upgrade and Kashima RP23 upgrade. They also stripped and rebuilt the bike with new cables and even chucked in a new seatpost and headset.
I've got a 5, an Alpine and a P7. They're all fabulous bikes and whilst they're not the cheapest, they all ride great, are superbly simple and Orange's backup is absolutely stunning and just makes for the icing on the cake.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:02 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

but it did crack....


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

yes agree after sales is good 😀


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:05 pm
Posts: 5387
Free Member
 

So you've had two oranges with warrenty/frame issues and you'd still go back to buy another?!?! as you say, their customer service must be really good...... 😀


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:06 pm
 ton
Posts: 24283
Full Member
 

i feel ill.............. 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:07 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Is that an Audi? :mrgreen:

This can't possibly end well


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:07 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

So you've had two oranges with warrenty/frame issues and you'd still go back to buy another?!?! as you say, their customer service must be really good......

Damn right, I'd go back every time.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:10 pm
 mboy
Posts: 12651
Free Member
 

Is that an Audi?

This can't possibly end well

Oh dear! I'm lost for words! 🙄

Glad the OP has had such good service from Orange, makes a pleasant change from hearing about bike manufacturers not looking after their customers at warranty claim time...

They're still bloody expensive though, and they still have a ridiculously short warranty! (sorry, I tried, I couldn't keep it in any longer!) 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:11 pm
Posts: 13594
Free Member
 

And the converse:

I've had plenty of bikes (not an Orange) and not one of them has ever developed a crack or failed in any way, so who would I pick: a company whose frames fail, but has good service or one whose bikes don't fail?


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:13 pm
Posts: 6131
Full Member
 

My old Kona Dawg is 7yrs old, not had to test the warranty 😆 Bit late now anyway 🙄
Steve Wade however is a really good/nice bloke 😀


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

any chance of better or bigger pictures.......

really interested to see how shiny the powdercoat finish comes out - quite fancy that for my Five......

e-mail is in profile if you'd prefer to send them there.

A


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

And the converse:

I've had plenty of bikes (not an Orange) and not one of them has ever developed a crack or failed in any way, so who would I pick: a company whose frames fail, but has good service or one whose bikes don't fail?


I've cracked 5 bikes now including a Trek Liquid, Felt F5, Scott Strike, 5 and Alpine. Maybe I ride them slightly differently to you ?


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:15 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

any chance of better or bigger pictures.......

Definitely Andy. I'll get some on Friday and ping them over. It's a great colour, You'd swear it was polished Aluminium. The chain reflects in the swingarm just like polished ally. I love it.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:17 pm
Posts: 4892
Free Member
 

Rs6 ?

Edit: not enough arch


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:19 pm
Posts: 5559
Free Member
 

I've cracked 5 bikes now including a Trek Liquid, Felt F5, Scott Strike, 5 and Alpine. Maybe I ride them slightly differently to you

I think it might be the way you ride * and not the bikes if you have cracked that many

* you are either rad to the power of sic or fat as **** 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:20 pm
Posts: 46087
Free Member
 

Orange were ace with me as well. Ben is a star there...


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

* you are either rad to the power of sic or fat as ****

Ha definitely not the latter. I'd usually grab a top 20% spot in an enduro so I can't be that sloppy.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:23 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Rs6 ?

I wish !
It's on the lottery win list though.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:24 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You could have had any colour you wanted and you chose silver to go with white forks? It looks shite and 5 years old already. You could have had any nice colour and had white decals! Jeeze!
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:25 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

And it helps your argument if you live near the Orange HQ...if I chucked my cracked bike in the back of my car(for the second time apparently) and drive down there I'd expect a BJ whilst I waited on my replacement...oh, and about £200 for diesel...


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:26 pm
Posts: 9
Free Member
 

Orange 5 + Audi estate.
STW calls HOUSE!


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:27 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

It was Neon green before but I fancied a change.
Post up some pics of your bikes Swede and lets see what a good job you've made of them.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:27 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Definitely Andy. I'll get some on Friday and ping them over. It's a great colour, You'd swear it was polished Aluminium. The chain reflects in the swingarm just like polished ally. I love it.

Cool, thanks!

I polished my old Five after seeing the article in Dirt magazine about lightening the Five - I loved it, it looked like a cylon-took bloody ages to do, but was awesome-shame it took so much effort to keep it looking great!

A


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:28 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

And it helps your argument if you live near the Orange HQ...if I chucked my cracked bike in the back of my car(for the second time apparently) and drive down there I'd expect a BJ whilst I waited on my replacement...oh, and about £200 for diesel...

You either need a new and much more economical motor (like an A6 :wink:) or need to work out how to put a frame in a box, get some help filling in the forms and present it to Parcel Force.
And as Ben would probably decline your expectation for a blowy, mabye you're better off with a Marin anyway?


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:29 pm
Posts: 13594
Free Member
 

I've cracked 5 bikes now including a Trek Liquid, Felt F5, Scott Strike, 5 and Alpine. Maybe I ride them slightly differently to you ?

I ride with great finesse and skill if that helps? 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:33 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Is the kettle on?
-
I've got biscuits.......


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:37 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

misterfrostie, Just saying like. If I were to be given the choice I would have chosen something that A goes with the forks and B makes me feel like I have a nice new bike. It does look very dated. My bikes are quite plain to be honest. 3 white, 2 raw and 2 blue.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Oh lord,finesse.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Oh lord,finesse

😆 wasn't just me then ?


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:47 pm
Posts: 173
Free Member
 

+1 for Orange service (and Ben!).


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:50 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

misterfrostie, Just saying like. If I were to be given the choice I would have chosen something that A goes with the forks and B makes me feel like I have a nice new bike. It does look very dated. My bikes are quite plain to be honest. 3 white, 2 raw and 2 blue.

I'll post some better pics up Friday, hopefully you'll see the atrraction. I'm not fussed about the forks, I'll probably replace them at some point but not just yet. They've got the Mega to survive first anyways 8)


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:50 pm
Posts: 1799
Free Member
 

Still butt ugly bike what ever colour it's painted 🙂


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:55 pm
Posts: 1799
Free Member
 

That was nasty, I'll withdraw my comment
Sorry 😕


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 10:57 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'll post some better pics up Friday, hopefully you'll see the atrraction

Not while it says orange on it. I've had one and found it very uninspiring. Black forks would make it look nicer though. I realise it's not all about looks but you had a choice. Imagine it in that purple with white forks and decals. I'd have to keep getting up to press my face against it and sniff new shiny.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 11:05 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Now that service....unlike Giant.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 11:18 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

I think the bike looks good. An Orange 5 is on my wish list. The Alpine looks good in any colour.


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 11:25 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

If you haven't cracked at least one frame in your MTB career, you're doing it wrong 🙂


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 11:27 pm
Posts: 4892
Free Member
 

UK firm offer ace customer service and all we can do is find fault?

Well done Orange

Also what kind of guy comments / critisises the colour / finish of another mans bike?

Seems a bit Gok Wang to me


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 11:28 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The Swede earlier today.
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 13/06/2012 11:32 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Also what kind of guy comments / critisises the colour / finish of another mans bike?

Really??

This is STW... 🙂


 
Posted : 14/06/2012 12:02 am
Posts: 2683
Free Member
 

mf-are you afraid of a bit of colour in your life?


 
Posted : 14/06/2012 2:20 am
Posts: 52609
Free Member
 

Glad they sorted it.

Still most would within warranty for less RRP


 
Posted : 14/06/2012 2:52 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

nice to hear they sorted it, but as an owner of a 2009 Alpine I'd prefer it if it didnt crack. Cant see any pics on this computer, did it crack around the weld vent hole, a source of failures that they changed for later models?


 
Posted : 14/06/2012 3:08 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Now that service....unlike Giant.[\quote]

Really?? I've had giant help me out twice in a week for free with things that were not even covered by warranty. But back OT that is a good show by Orange like.


 
Posted : 14/06/2012 6:33 am
Page 1 / 2