[Closed] Thinking of buying an Orange 5 - tell me about them

Superb all-rounder. I have a Partiot, but I'd have a Five too. Got loads of mates with Fives and they're very happy with them - they never have any issues despite riding them very hard, all year round on rough and rocky terrain.

By the standards of any regular forum this has been done to death several times over. As this is STW you'll get plenty of answers soon enough, but a search will reveal gazillions of threads about how good they are.

Sounds like the bike for you. I'm lucky enough to have access lots of different bikes, and the five does everything well.

Climbing doesn't fell quite as connected as some other designs, but its certainly not slow, and handles technical climbing very well.

This doesn't mean they are slow by any standard - A good friend of mine was within 2 minutes of the fastest riders at set2rise this year on his 5.
At the end of the day, climbing is a test of fitness. Descending is a test of the bike as much as the rider.

Descending, both fast and slow is where it really shines though, simply one of the funnest bikes I've ever ridden down a hill.

Would I have one? Well, don't tell Mrs JB, I'm getting closer and closer to being the owner of one. Simmply brilliant bikes. The other nice thing is they hold their value well, and seem to have a long long life. I guess it's because the design really hasn't changed outwardly in nearly ten years, while other brands re-invent the wheel every year.

Yes, others climb better, others are lighter, some perform better under braking, are more efficient when pedaling out of the saddle. But the 5 is a jack of all trades that will deal with everything from the odd XC race through to a full on Alps trip, with a few modifactions.

They're boxy but good
Like volvos but in a nice way

I'm after a single-pivot (lower maintenance) full-susser, preferably from a UK company. I ride mostly singletrack with occassional trail centre visits

I bought a 5 three years ago for basically the same reasons. Have changed the main pivot bearings once, real simple to do. Other than that, all the usual wear that applies to most bikes, drivetrain, wheel bearings etc.

Jimbobrighton just about sums it up really. May not be the absolute best at any one task but does them all very well. Have ridden mine in mountains and around 24hr races. If only they made a 29er version........

@khani

As the owner of a volvo and a five, I [s]resent that remark[/s] have to agree.

I wasn't talking about an old 340 built by daff though 🙂

Fellow Ford Focus owner - just sold my Five as thought it was a bit overblown and took some of the fun out of the riding I do which is a mixture of Peaks/Welsh singletrack and local trail centres.

Orange ones are faster.

I'm dithering over the same thing at the moment. 95% of my riding will be around peaslake/leith/redlands and worried it'll just make the trails too easy and remove a lot of the fun. We cycle up for the purpose of hoofing down as quickly as possible, Five fits the bill but is it overkill.

our best selling full sus....ride one then decide!

Gotama - Member

I'm dithering over the same thing at the moment. 95% of my riding will be around peaslake/leith/redlands and worried it'll just make the trails too easy and remove a lot of the fun. We cycle up for the purpose of hoofing down as quickly as possible, Five fits the bill but is it overkill.

Nah. Take one down Telegraph, Big Mamma and Summer Lightning and then tell me you didn't enjoy it...

Have a feeling it could be a very expensive demo ride 🙂

A 5 is for life, not just for ... you know...

Heavy, climbs poorly unless you've got adjustable travel forks, complete overkill in most cycling situations, takes all the fun out of riding technical stuff.

Had mine for two years now and probably ridden it four times this year, favouring other bikes instead.

I sold mine cos it felt a bit wooden in comparison to other full sus bikes I tried - I'm no expert tho but I ended up with a 5 Spot via a convoluted route - also have a hardtail and I quite like the differences between the two - if anything the Five felt a bit too much like a hardtail some of the time - would be great as your only bike tho

There are some pictures up of the 2011 5 on orange's facebook page,a test ride is the best way so see if YOU like them,i tested a few different bikes at biketreks and bought a five

[b]vdubber67[/b] Heavy? Compared to what?

A 28lb 140mm full susser isn't exactly heavy, even measured against other 140mm F/S bikes

Anyhoo, the 5 is a great bike for looning about on. Tough, reliable & fun.

Orangista - Member

vdubber67 Heavy? Compared to what?

A 28lb 140mm full susser isn't exactly heavy, even measured against other 140mm F/S bikes

It's heavy compare to my other bikes, therefore it's heavy. 🙂

Bought one back in October and am well chuffed with it. Agreed it might feel like overkill on most UK trails, I ride Swinley mostly, but it's so positive on all terrain that you just end up riding faster. I particularly like the way it sits into fast corners, makes you feel like it's on rails!

Got back from a trip to the Sierra Nevada a couple of weeks ago - lots of VERY rocky trails, both bike and I took a hell of a battering but came out smiling. I was amazed at how well it handled that kind of terrain.

Agree also that it's not the best climber, but that's not why I bought it and you never know I might lose a few pounds 🙂

Must admit that I've just built up a hardtail too to mix it up a bit on the local trails.

get it done and get one bought
they are fab oh and they climb just fine don`t listen to all the rubbish on here just go and test one.

New one out 1st July - looks nice!

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