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Im buying an 2002 orange sub 3 frame , 130mm forks wouldn't be dangerous and crack the frame would it? Orange are renowned for their strong frames. the 2005 model allows 130mm forks so surely there wasn't a major redesign between models? Its being used with 130mm forks at the moment and its fine . Just wanted to be sure
thanks
anyone?
Pretty sure 100mm was the max recommended travel.
Maybe give Orange a ring to be sure.
IIRC the sub 3 was a xc almost race bike hence short travel about 3" at the back end and about designed for 80mm forks
The warranty page for that year ( http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/support/2002warranty.php) states maximum of 80mm...
You can download orange catalogs here: http://www.indiansummer.ch/downloads_1944705.php
Later models were ok for 100mm.
One of the STW staffers put together a frankenbike a while back iirc with 130 forks but ran lots of sag to compensate for the chopper affect.
130mm would be too much , my mate had a sub5 that he ran with a pair of 150mm drop offs until the downtube snapped at the swingarm pivot!! , don't do it.
I had 100mm on my sub 5 and they were a bit flighty on the climbs
Shame the frame died when the suspension pivot ripped out of the frame ( I was climbing when it happened fortunatly )
"Orange are renowned for their strong frames"
The sub 3 was renowned for cracking... particularly round shock mounts etc.
100mm iirc.
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i dont see how 30mm of extra travel would be much of a risk though? the 100mm forks of those days looked more like a 130mm length anyway.
If the ripping of the swing arm off is a problem with the sub 5 aswell it must be an isolated problem ,i know someone whos had nine years with no worry out of a sub5 and still works fine. Could it not be people running their shock too soft so the bottom out regularly putting strain on the pivot?
Could it not be people running their shock too soft so the bottom out regularly putting strain on the pivot?
Er NO