[Closed] Orange bikes, love or hate?

I pity them. Imbecilic bikes for people who hate mountain biking.

*tick

Initially I wasn't too keen because they are so ugly but I had a ride of one and it was great, since then I've even come to appreciate their agricultural appearance.

They're identical to riding a filing cabinet in every way, except noisier, with worse brake jack and less space for storing files.

Dunno, they're fairly irrelvent to me. I generally buy a bike based on either price, specs or functionality...

I'm not sure the Orange falls into enough of them catagories.

Nothing against them apart from the price, and some of the owners they attract 😉

They're identical to riding a filing cabinet in every way, except noisier, with worse brake jack and less space for storing files.

😀

I love them

Love their hardtails, wouldn't ever buy such an ugly archaic looking full suss.

I suppose your talking about the suspension bikes.

My first proper mtb was a simple Orange Clockwork, and BLOODY GOOD it was too. In spite of it's apparent Taiwanese origins, the frame itself was superb. It was far and away better at it's price point, than Rockhoppers, Marins ect (This was iro 1996). The frame REALLY rode well, to the point they could have charged more for it, and it would still have been worth it.

Following on from that after its sadly regretted theft, a couple of P7's from 98 and 2001, which again - had a great geometry and feel (albeit a fair chunk more rigid than the CW).

I can't tell you about the recent bikes, but as I have just had a venerable 2001 P7 stolen, the reduced Pure7 down at Cyclesurgery near me is likely to have my sticky fingers on it in the next few days.

To be honest, having had 3, none of themwere duff bikes, and arguably, better than the competition bikes. But this is steel 10 yo + bikes I am talking about.

Fair enough I don't quite understand why you would hate mountain biking just because you own an orange

bit harsh Gary! As the owner of a 5 for the last few years (tried many many different bikes over the years) I would say they make a good ride in the 5. I can't speak for the other models.

However, in my opinion they don't offer the best value for money compared with other bikes in the same vein. All I know is that I love riding it and will do so for years to come.

As for the owners they attract, well yeah but it only takes one trip to Dalby to understand you can say this for many brands of bike, especially the expensive ones pulled off the back of a white Audi.

I think they look ace. Not ridden one for years, but my Patriot back in 2004 was bloody brilliant.
noisy yes, but still brilliant.

If I had the money I would buy another one.

Orange <3

Had a patriot,sub 5, five, 222, p7, patriot again and just about to take delivery of a new five.

Simple, solid, stable and i would say aesthetically pleasing

Yes they don't have the latest three letter acronym suspension design, they're an evolved design ridden by many many riders.

If you don't get it fine, just keep it to yourself and let us who do get on with enjoying them.

I've had a p7 it was ok
Never used to like the 5s but warming to them and would like to ride one

Be interesting to see how many people slag them that av never

They're bikes therefore they are good!

My first mtb was an Orange clockwork, and it was great, but oddly have not considered another one of their bikes in the last 15 years. Can't say I have anything against the company, they just seem a bit pricey to me, but at least they are open about it.

Out of the 20 or so 5's I have seen out and about in the flesh only one of them looked like it had been used off road; they seem to attract people who prefer to polish them rather than ride them.

I don't have a problem with them, but would never buy one of the current models, why would you buy something made with Fred Dibnah style Victorian techniques when you can get something for half the price made with modern hydroformed tubing or even carbon?

Love the hardtails however.

its like comparing apples (in the steve jobs sense)
to oranges (in the bike sense)

Its a Uk brand thing for some whilst a solid bike to others, then theres office clerks who like to slag off filing cabinets

so all people who ride a orange bike are bad! even more so if they pull up to the trail in a audi? what the **** is this thread all about! too much time on your hands and **** all worth saying!

obviously a lot of people like them, but would they still like them if they had broke one and not had the problem sorted efficiently?

I don't quite get the comment on the people that own them, my gyro cost more than the vehicle it travels in, and I'm a builder not a n Audi driving conference room dweller.

i agree with that ton, but i have 2 oranges not broken yet but ive broken plenty of speshs and treks oh and a pace!

northwind : would you like to elaborate on your comment...whats wrong with the owners of orange bikes ? lol
love my orange, altho it doesnt love me at the mo...it keeps butting me off over the handlebars lately..grrrr...lots of bruises..

Love mine.. no time for haters...it's a bike that has performed brilliantly for me, simple to maintain, really tough and more than capable. I still love going past people with the confidence it inspires.

i think they are good bikes too, a few people i know are on their 2nd and 3rd.

. . . and [s]6th[/s] 7th 😳 😆 . Love 'em!

hey ton i take it you had one and had a problem with it that orange did not sort out! how come?

I have my own love hate with orange.
Always wanted one. So saved up a bit sold some stuff and got the bike of my dreams
It arrived only for me to find the build quality was shocking.
I love riding it but will never buy another orange

orangeboy what was wrong with the build? both of mine are really well made and finished nice,

These are the sort of comments you'd expect to here from someone who can't afford one....its called jealousy ! !! 🙂

The wheels needed to be rebuild as they did not thread lock the ust nipple seats properly and ye tension was all over the place. Arrived with split gear cable housing and a fork leaking oil from foot nut.
Wrong tyres that were far to wide for the rear stays.
And worst of all a headset cup out of square as the head tube was a
Touch tight and had shaved some alloy off the hope cup. This was caught up under one edge of the cup.

I should add I got mine from a shop owned by a friend and lots of these issues would never have made it to the end customer.
But very poor all same

I've got a 2006 P7. Sure I know it's not the latest greatest lightest machine, but when I sit on it, it just feels right. Letting the bike handle things has got me through some tricksy moments. It's my pride and joy, and has never let me down.

This probably stems from when my Dad got me a nickel finish P7 back in the early 90s (the same one featured in the recent Singletrack article about bikes that people absolutely desired but never got). I remember seeing that glorious machine for the first time, complete with chrome finish STX-RC group set. What a bike.

Plus I like the idea of buying British.

Orange make good, simple, solid bikes in England. With the exception of a few, they tend to appeal to the good, simple, solid, patriotic bikers who are happy to spend their money on over priced bikes because they are made in England.

elaine anne - Member

northwind : would you like to elaborate on your comment...whats wrong with the owners of orange bikes ? lol

I already did, it says "some" 😉 One or two of youse are alright though. You don't want to hear what I've got to say about those accursed Cotic owners though!

I love my O2, and when I was looking for a rubust simple single pivot full sus Patriot seemed a reasonable choice. It maybe a little over biked for me, but that is not a bad reflection on the bike, just that I need to MTFU and stop mincing about 🙂

I like the engineered look of the Orange full sus'ers, much more than hyrdroformed or carbon. Nice slim tubes on steel hardtails and box section ally on full sus, that's how bikes should look.

I think it is great a British manufacturer is doing well, i hadn't considered one untill now, thought they were possibly hyped and over priced, but i think moraly it is the right thing to do, british jobs less exploitation, i will put my money where my mouth is.

Think that's where I went wrong mine is not a uk made frame.

Opps I will learn one day

well i just got a 5 frame and built it myself so the bike was spot on! got my p7 as a bike and had no probs with that! 😉

i had a 5 a few years ago and it was the worst bike ive owned, head angle was too steep, bottom bracket was too low, 5" headtube on a small frame is just madness and they turned a load out with offset rear ends and when my mate sent his back they just twisted it, oh and the brake jack was the worst ive ever experienced.

with the price increase a couple of years ago they really are out of theyre depth

Don't love them or hate them. To my personal tastes they are not especially attractive looking bikes and appear overpriced compared to much of the competition. May well try one when changing my bike next time but not optimistic that the ride will compensate for the negative aspects. But who knows - I may be surprised and impressed.

I love their simplicity in how they ride. Ridden all sorts of fancy linkage systems, but still come back to the single...

222 + 2 x Patriot LT's

I for one long for a 5 or maybe even an Alpine/All Mountain 5 as I am a rather heavy rider and clumsy. I am attracted to them having had a Marin full suss back in the day and also a Kona full suss. The Marin I would still have been riding now if was not for the fact that a disc brake rear end upgrade was £350 many years ago. I like simple single pivot no faffing design and less pivot points to wear out seize. The Kona was a great 'sofa' comfortable bike that made me ride harder/faster because it seemed to make me ride it that way-suppose confidence inspiring is best words.
I love the industrial look of the 5 etc and the fact that there are so many of them on the trails that I see means that they cant be all that bad in terms of general quality.
17 months and I will buy one to decide for myself on the ride qualities.

Had a Clockwork in the early 90's.

When it arrived, it was a completely different spec to the one I ordered - wrong bars, wrong colour, one 175mm crank arm, one 170mm.

Orange, or the shop I bought it from just weren't interested in sorting it out.

Quite fancy a 5, everyone I know who has one likes it, but I'm not paying an absolutely ridiculous premium just because it's made in the UK and the tales regarding terrible customer service, even now, put me right off.

I've wanted an Orange since about 1990.. but I still haven't got around to getting one yet..

Lummox - Member
Orange <3

Had a patriot,sub 5, five, 222, p7, patriot again and just about to take delivery of a new five.

Simple, solid, stable and i would say aesthetically pleasing

Yes they don't have the latest three letter acronym suspension design, they're an evolved design ridden by many many riders.

If you don't get it fine, just keep it to yourself and let us who do get on with enjoying them

Lummox, with that "aesthetically pleasing" statement, your a prime candidate for lead character in the next "Should have gone to specsavers" advert 😆

 

Just can't get away from them. Was about to sell my battered '08 Five to fund a full suss 29er in the Autumn. Took the Five out for one last spin and have decided to keep it, and now thinking of getting a Gyro (subject to demo). Don't ask.

I can't explain it, just love the ride.

I was planning to hire a Five from Swinnertons for the day, just to see what all the fuss is about.
Its about as far removed from my rigid sinlgespeed SIR.9 as you can get. 🙂

Love mine, had loads of bikes I'm now orange! It's a bike... It's as good as I am, never let me down, and yes I like it being made here. No brainer really. Expensive? Per mile of fun it gives me it's cost nothing, spend more on beer in the three years I have had it.... If you hate em, chill out a bit, go ride your bike!

I finally succumbed after feeling excluded. As a non Orange owner in the North West of England I feel like a curious ethnic minority.

So I bought a P7, and I'm glad to report: its ****ing ace!!!! 😀

Had a 93' clockwork. Loved it to bits. Modern bikes are overpriced filing cabinets. I'm sure they ride perfectly well, but for the money I'll take a cheaper, good looking bike with suspension that is just as good.

Woohoo. Two oranges and an Audi...

Is it white tho jam bo?? Not sure it counts if it's not. 😛

I think my 05 five looks great. Rides great as well, but i've never had another full susser. Have ridden a few others though. I would love a new patriot but just can't afford one!

Is it white tho jam bo?? Not sure it counts if it's not.

Black I think. Not washed it since I bought it....

I can't really understand the "hate" for a bike brand. 29ers, yes, Orange, no.

I like my Five. It does the job I need of it nicely (you can take it up enormous mountains and rag it down without it being a slog on normal short rides). I think it looks good in an industrial way. I wanted something tough, simple but most importantly a good laugh to ride, which it is.

I don't drive an Audi, I drive a van.

I definitely did not buy it because it's British. Most British products are duff. I just wanted it more than the alternatives (I was looking at Cubes, but they were a bit fragile for the same travel, and also Lapierre). Everyone I know who has one is a "proper" rider.

And they do get ridden.

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I didn't buy a complete build though as the value's not great.

Six months in and still over the moon with mine (Five). Bloody perfect for me and that's all that matters. Tested several and bought on the basis of that, not for any other reason. I think mine looks pretty cool and would love to see some pictures of bikes owned and ridden by those who throw scorn on the looks 😉

Edit; and the comments on noise? IME no louder than any others once you protect the swing arm as you would the chainstay on any other bike.

Had a 5 since 07. Got a ridged Inbred as well. Really don't care what anyone thinks of my choice of bikes and also don't care what anyone else rides. Bikes are FUN, IF YOU LIKE IT, RIDE IT!!

Have a 2006 P7 and a 2009 Five. Both ride brilliantly. Never had any issues with either of them.

P7 is the best all round do it all bike I've ever owned. So much so that the Five rarely gets ridden these days.

Drive a VW ( part of VAG) so almost an Audi. 😆

Ps also own a Cotic. So looks like I'm going straight to hell!

"As for the owners they attract, well yeah but it only takes one trip to Dalby to understand you can say this for many brands of bike, especially the expensive ones pulled off the back of a white Audi" 🙄

Orange 5 - tick
White Audi - tick
Doesn't give a tick - tick 😀

Also just picked up Pinarello Paris that I'll also stuff in or on the Audi I'm one ****ing a-hole!!!! 😆

Find the idea of "hating" a brand a bit odd.

Personally, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Orange is "overpriced". For what are pretty basic frames (and I include their hardtails), they're quite pricy, compared to others - the Heckler always comes to mind as a reference for the Five - maybe not a fair comparison.

And the swingarms aren't something I like the look of.

There are no such people as lovers and haters, there are just people who have Oranges, and those who just wish they had Oranges.

Can someone please explain why they are overpriced.

Can someone please explain why they are overpriced.

Dunno, got my five frame by a swap for a chameleon frame and a phone.

@cheekyboy Oranges aren't overpriced, some people are just undersalaried.

I ride a Giant. I'd like an Orange. I don't have any spare cash. I'll just keep on riding and upgrading. It IS about the riding isn't it ?

Love

Simply engineered, functional, long lasting, maintenance free, low ish specs for the price but you get really solid sensible specs,

Hate

A bit heavy, but not by much
The fact they are judged by looks, they have beauty in their utility
The fact that a brands image taints perception, that would mean you buy products based on others perceptions of you using said product- where would one sit on a bike cool wall etc
Brand evangelism- I like them but you may not

Love

Simply engineered, functional, long lasting, maintenance free, low ish specs for the price but you get really solid sensible specs,

Hate

A bit heavy, but not by much
The fact they are judged by looks, they have beauty in their utility
The fact that a brands image taints perception, that would mean you buy products based on others perceptions of you using said product- where would one sit on a bike cool wall etc
Brand evangelism- I like them but you may not

I reckon some people need this as a soundtrack to their lives

Gary Fisher was asked; 'What's your favourite bike?' Answer: 'The one I'm riding'
I've got a 5, had a Commencal, Trek Remedy and Scott Voltage. I don't care what any of them look like just how fast they can get me down a mountain without breaking my neck. Don't be a hater, be friendly to your fellow riders, peace, chill!

I have a 2010 P7 from new and a 2009 Five that I bought frame only second hand and spent about 8 months building. Love them both, the Five in particular is just so much fun. It fits me spot on and just seems to suit my riding. Sure its a bit noisy some times and it sometimes looks bit a industrial but it's mine and I enjoy riding it.

I'm sure there are bikes that are better "value" or "bang for your buck" or other meaningless statements that people roll out when this "discussion" happens, but if you like it and it's fun and the right bike for you then you remember that once the price has been forgotten. And anyway if you build one like I did getting a good condition second hand frame, choosing parts wisely and picking up second hand bargains where appropriate they are just as affordable as any other bike.

Anyone who says they hate a bike, is an idiot. It's like hating a table.

Ps. I don't drive an audi. I don't drive at all, which is why I get some much "value" from my bikes. 😉

They're identical to riding a filing cabinet in every way, except noisier, with worse brake jack and less space for storing files.

Please post pictures of your filing cabinet bike - just so we can see the comparison.

Having cut my teeth on a Clockwork, i'll not have a bad word said about them. In this world of far east domination lets have a bit of love for something British!

I've a Pure 7...s'alright...

Actually, I bloody love it.

Orange make good, simple, solid bikes in England. With the exception of a few, they tend to appeal to the good, simple, solid, patriotic bikers who are happy to spend their money on over priced bikes because they are made in England.

😆

There's nothing [i]wrong[/i] with Orange bikes these days (aesthetics aside), it's just that a long long time ago Orange used to stand for VFM too. Over the years Orange prices have just carried on going up and up and up, with no significant improvement in spec or technology, whilst for the mostpart, everyone else has continued to offer more for less. In an ironic way, it's as if Orange were concerned their products were too cheap, and that if they repositioned themselves in the market at the higher end (cost wise), combined with the "made in UK" tag on their full sus frames, it has actually worked seemingly well for them.

No doubt Orange still make some good products (and there's nothing wrong with a good single pivot still), but there are others out there making better/lighter/cheaper products and have been for some time, it's just (as with Hope products) Orane are made in England and will sell well at any price off the back of it!

There are no such people as lovers and haters, there are just people who have Oranges, and those who just wish they had Oranges.

And it's comment like this that throw a few gallons of fuel onto the fire that is the hatred of Orange owners! The kind of attitude espoused typically by guys that have only recently got into Mountain Biking, with a fair wad of cash to spare but little time or imagination so just went into their LBS and bought what happened to be the brightest/shiniest/most expensive skill compensator in the shop, to transport home in their new company Audi... Great, you've bought a bike, you're out and riding it, that's wonderful, but just the same as the expensive Audi you drive (probably costing you an arm and a leg in monthly payments), your Orange isn't everyone's cup of tea either.

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Mines even the same colour as a filing cabinet...

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used to love them then bought one; had it a while it was pretty good. sold it and got a more mass produce brand and the more mass produced brand rode better; but did require more servicing. so i was kind of turned off them. then i saw an attractive Scottish sweetheart riding one and i liked them again. then i am very fickle and i had been sleeping in a tent an drinking a lot last weekend so my judgement on what makes a good bike and sensible financial decisions has been somewhat impaired by those three factors compounding on each other.

I short they are okay perhaps not the best priced for what they are but attractive females riding them does make them seem more appealing.

I'd quite like an Alpine 160...