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first off apologies for another 5 topic. Basically getting rid of my sx trail as it doesn't get enough use anymore to justify keeping it so my idea is to get a new 5 frame and through on some pikes. As well as being my hard riding trail bike i'd like it to occasionally be able to cope with a bit of uk dh and the odd medium sized drop,jumps. I know its going to be compromised on proper dh but is the bike up to this kind of riding? Owners views and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Not stuck on pikes so other fork suggestions are welcome. My sx was way too much bike for trail riding and think the alpine 160 would over bike me for most of my riding so i think i'm happy to stick to 140mm travel wise. Cheers in advance, steve
My buddy has a 5am built with 36 talas and he takes that to DH tracks and it seems to cope pretty well. We went to UK bike park last year he didn't think he would be able to manage it on the 5 but it was fine. He has destroyed a few components mind but that doesn't say anything about the frame.
I would love to try a small framed one with some 36s and 1x9.
Have you thought about a blood?
loads of people seem to run 5s with fox 36 forks with no problem, and they're usually going quite quick too;-) I think you may have issues if you're doing big drops/jumps (especially if not smoothly) but for all round riding with a bit of DH then you should be OK.
Have you checked what Oranges warrantee says?
There was a guy dirt-jumping on a 5 at Woburn on Saturday: Seemed to hold up fine.
Alpine 160's a better bet, I reckon. Not that heavy, easily pedalled and more in line with the dh duties you're planning. If you're determined to have a 5, put 36s on it - you'll still have a v capable bike.
This was always a nagging doubt for me, I've seen a few with stress cracks in my time. Around the shock mount? One of the guys I did the mega with had his frame crack like this.
I took mine down the DH tracks at Mt Washington on Vancouver Island. It felt a bit light, but I'm not really rad enough for DH duties; the bike was fine though. I'm 6ft and 90kgs if that matters at all...
Loads of people run a 5 with 36s at Cwmcarn and Afan - seems to be a very popular choice. To quote a local "They're ****ing top innit spa"
http://blip.tv/play/rQSBrZ0uAg
in this id an orange dh rider (cathro) is pulling big air on a 5. just goes to show it aint the bike that will hold you back.
bugger messed up the link http://www.mtbcut.tv/ look at worst vid ever x
I've rode mine (basically stock Pro with Fox Float 32s)in Les Arcs last summer, and I'm off back with it this year. Bike was much more capable that I am, angles are just a bit steep for full on DH if that's your thing and I'm not much into big jumps.
Orange's warranty says something about the "suitablity shown in the brochure" and doesn't rate the Five for Freeride and DH as they point you at the Patriot and/or Alpine 160 for that. Not quite sure what that means if I break it on a DH course...
Cheers for all the replies.
Think people mistook what i was asking somewhat, i'm talking about occasional dh use and not full on dh at that. I would be looking at something bigger if that was the idea, don't fancy riding a big bike for xc/trail use so i'm happy to take a hit and avoid doing bigger stuff and have a bike suited for the majority of the riding it will cover.
By the sounds of it the five should be plenty capable. Also the new five is set up angles wise for a 140mm fork so think pikes will be the way ahead rather than 36's - shame the talas are 130mm in the middle setting though as these could have been a good option if they were 140mm/160mm.
Next step a test ride.
Cheers.
I've ridden mine in Les Arcs, B.C. (including most of the black runs in Whistler Bike Park) and on the Cwmcarn DH course over the past few years. That's with Fox Vanilla 32's up front.
I am most definitely the limiting factor, not the bike. The head angle can feel a bit steep at times and certainly on some of the terrain in B.C. a couple of other Five owners with Fox 36's up front had an easier time than me.
The frame is built like a tank and while I'm a lightweight at 70KG I've seen much heavier riders get away with an awful lot on one. My only comment would be that coming from a four bar frame you'll find that the braking isn't as good at the rear - but if you've got a good braing technique then it won't be an issue.
Five was more than up to Cwmcarn DH on just 15QR 32 Vanillas.
Stevede, from previous advice I've had on the 5 AM I've been told that the axle to crown length on the 36s Talas is the same as 140mm Pikes in the 130mm travel setting. Can anyone else confirm this?
Even if its not 10mm wouldn't make any real difference on normal trails would it!?
once again
I my 5 is set up with Lyriks up front - Coil U-turns that said.. I leave em at 160mm most of the time.. occasionally dropping them to 140mm..
as far as coping with DH trails - I rode Bromont DH course on this bike - not that quick (but that was skill over bike capability) and I regularly ride the DH tracks near me that the local youths have been creating
the bits fall off it.. but the frame is nails..
hmmmm, orange 5 at woburn on the trails...
nice.