So im just about to push the button on an Orange 5. Its beefy already (Spank rims, saint kit etc) but i am using it on the odd uplift, trail centres and lakes xc. I want to replicate something like the old Alpine 5 that they did for the alps hire centres. They had 36's on them so there is no reason a 2 step Lyrik shouldnt work? They lower to 115mm for climbing so i think they will be a good long travel option. Any handling issues at full extension?
If you want the alpine 5 then buy the Alpine 160 instead of the 5. It is the production version of the Alpine 5. I'm assuming that you are buying new??
If you really want the 5, it will take lyrics no problem as loads of people run fox 36s on them, a mate of mine included, and it works a treat. Another mate has an Alpine 160 and it is not that much heavier than a 5, but seems to be making him annoyingly fast both up, and down, hill.
Shouldn't really be that much price difference between a 5 and an A160.
im buying a used 5 not new, my budget wont go to a new alpine 5.
Ah well, it should work really well with the lyrics. Definately worth a go 🙂
i run 36's on a five. the 115 will be great for climbing, going up at 160 is a PITA. on the new 5 with 36's the head angle is supposedly slacker than an alpine 160, nto sure about previous models though. running 160 forks on a five i think you are sensible going for tough kit, it makes you go a bit mental.
I'd be more inclined to go for Coil U-Turn lyriks than a 2-step.
I've have an Alpine 5 with lyriks.
the only probs is it's faster bike than I am rider.............we should have met 10yrs ago.
i know what you mean about the coil forge but it has a monarch on the back and i want to keep it air both ends. plus the 2 step is sooo easy. think i am convinced. 16" 06 frame, monarch on the back, lyrik on the front, saint kit. Should be a really fun little bike for what i want.
You do get the flexibility of 115 - 160mm travel though.
I've had a Five great bike what ever you decide.
Orange have an Alpine 5 for sale at the mo…
http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/offers/
so they do!
I was thinking about Lyriks today, for my Orange 5. At the end of a 3.5 hour ride I was happy with my Pikes though, no more bounce needed.
I may think about some coil forks only for future (if any) uplift or alps trips though. They wouldn't be permanent fixture.
