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I reckon that the 'Made in Britain' side of Orange has it's main benefit in highlighting that they put up with the same conditions that we do, not some dusty trail in California. Same for Hope. I mean, you just have to look at the mud clearance of some American designs...
And I don't know if it's just good marketing, or what, but I can see the benefit in development time for them being able to build a bike one day, and take it for a ride the next. I'd heard that the Maxle Fives came about 'cos one of the welders got curious. Certainly, they do seem to experiment a lot - or maybe they're just using that for clever marketing?
Whatever, I love my Five, it's simple, performs, and I think is beautiful. But I am tired of people saying it looks heavy and then falling over when they pick it up.
If you want to know about where it all started and the built in Britain aspect of Orange you'd not go far wrong with this [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/feature/article/interview-lester-noble-of-orange-mountain-bikes-20341 ][b]Bike Radar interview[/b][/url] of Lester Noble.
My Five S which has no frills on it apart from Hope hubs and Mono Minis weighs less than my equally no frills 1998 Clockwork. Of course plenty of this is down to general improvements in componentry but there's a lot more surface area to the Five than the Clockwork.
I remember reading that interview, seem like such decent fellas. I really don't begrudge paying those boys what they charge... just keep knocking out classics!
I don't own an Orange, nor do I particularly want one, but this:
hydroformed vision of loveliness
has got to be a joke, right? 😯
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Norco in producing a visual abomination of a bike shocker!
That right there is what all Halfords specials will look like in 10 years...
That Norco is one example, but is there any bike that looks nicer thanks to hydroforming?
This rivals the Norco...
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Should have known someone would come along to contradict me regarding reduced 5's 🙂
Thanks for the heads up regarding the 5 in the classifieds. When i say i have bought a 2009 one, i mean i already have it and broke it in by doing the Brechfa Enduro last weekend 😀
Going to the french alps in two weeks so had to find a shop with one (Leisure Lakes) in stock as the factory lead time was too close to when i'm going away. Besides i had cash burning a hole in my pocket!
It did come with Easton EA30 finishing kit and a Hope headset so i'm happy.
Gary - Thanks for the cheesy riders invite, just accepted via the link you sent me. You lot seemed like a nice bunch when i briefly chatted to you before/after the race.
The old SX looked great, the new one looks like it's been in some sort of head-on collision with an ugly tree.
I don't think Orange would lose any fans/sales whatsoever by switching production to Taiwan, especially if it reduced costs/retail prices.
The likes of Spesh, Trek and Giant probably outsell every other mountain bike company put together so the made in Taiwan badge doesn't seem to deter that many people.
It's great if people are patriotic and want to buy British, but most people vote with their wallet. If they didn't, there's no reason why every hardtail rider shouldn't buy a custom built Curtis.
I would hazard that Orange would sell a LOT more bikes if they were made in taiwan. This would only be true however if they were to be cheaper as a consequence.