Seeking some advice regarding what to do with my 2006 Orange 5 pro hope. Had a break from biking for a couple of years, but now from the start of this year back in full swing again. Had the orange serviced at the beginning of the year and after riding for a few months it just didn’t feel the same or maybe that’s because I’m older (41).
So my question is what to do with the Orange, I want to try a build from scratch and had the idea of getting a 456evo or Bfe and transferring all the parts from the Orange and building a fun bike. And then to proceed over time to build the Orange back up with top parts gradually over time.
But is it worth it? is the 06'frame still good enough?
is the 06'frame still good enough?
For what?
Are you limited by it?
Why wouldn't it still be good enough?
Just because it doesn't have a tapered headtube, bolt thru rear end or latest slack angles?
Marketing & shiney-itus has a lot to answer for.
Buy a new bike if you want one (you don't need to justify it to us), but don't tell us it due to the 5 being soooooo outdated.
I've got a 2005 Five and it's great. I run it with U-Turn Pikes, double and bash, 711 bars, a 50mm 0 degree stem and Mavic 521's on Hope pro 2's. Use it for general trail stuff and light DH and it just does the job. I can't fault it. Although i do want to change the rear shock from the original Swinger. Van RC i think........
If you like it keep it, maybe send it to orange for a blingy respray so you feel it's newer!!
This is mine BTW. Hopefully this works.........
[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7582093034_7abaf2ae2d.jp g" target="_blank">
but don't tell us it due to the 5 being soooooo outdated.
Calm down, not saying to get rid, that’s my question is it worth spending money on improving the parts, or keep as is. Then I might build up a hardtail using new parts and not the ones off the Orange.
Sorry I've really been crabby of late... not easy to say, as you wouldn't want to compromise on your new bike but I refreshed and totally overhauled one of my bike by replacing the fork.
Admittedly I went from a 170mm/2.5Kg monster to 140mm/1.8Kg fork but it made the bike a real option for me again. I really hadn't ridden the bike with the original forks for years, needed to get a bike going quickly and had the other forks 'spare' so tried em out, they'll not be coming off that bike again.
What's the current spec of your 5?
PS: This weather has totally ruined riding on my FS, it hardly seems worth riding it, so I've turned to my HT (which I'm not a huge fan of) more than usual this year due to it. Hopefully a drier winter will be on the way soon (how crap is it that your left saying stuff like that)
What's the spec on the bike currently? What did the service cover? If it was just a LBS service I'd suspect the fork and shock were not fully service so would benefit from a trip to TF Tuned or Loco.
Hi nixie. Correct the fork (fox float 32R 140) and shock (Manitou Swinger X3) not serviced which I know they could probably do with and as ads678 has mentioned the rear shock may benefit from an upgrade. Otherwise the spec is more or less as it was from new full XT/mono mini brakes/hope hubs with WTB speed disc rims, standard Orange build kit bits, which could do with replacing now. Service replaced chain rings/rear cassette, chain, new cabling etc, BB overhaul.
Service the fork and shock and it'll feel really different (in a good way!)
I'd change the shock for a (new) fox air one, never did like the swinger. Forks should be better after a service. Hope hubs go on for ever. There are lighter rims now than the WTB's however there's not much wrong with those. Wide (about 740mm ish) bars and stem between 50mm and 70mm would sharpen the steering up and make it feel more positive. The mono minis are ok, but underpowered.
The 5 hasn't moved on that much really so in answer to your original question yes its still worth keeping and upgrading.
Upgrade definitely
Change the fork for a bolt thru/15mm OR service and tune the existing one.
Change the Wheels for some Hope Hoops on Flow rims, go with tubeless tyres
Change the rear shock for a CTD Fox or RS Monarch plus
Replace the headset with a Workscomponents 1deg slacker headset.
750mm bars 50mm/70mm stem
Change the brakes for some New Race X2 Evo 203/180mm disc or new XT
It'll feel like a totally new bike 🙂 Loads of fun!!
I've a Merida LRS Transmission circa 2005 that gave me a similar headache a coupla years ago.
In the end I revamped it in one go (whilst using the hardtail).
Moved to UST (like my hardtail), so specced Hope hubs with xm819 rims, because of the hope alu spider thing I then had to get a new cassette which at a minimum has to be XT, so then I had to upgrade the rest of the drivechain(slx).
A set of pace 40xcam forks from ebay (and serviced) were a cheap right travel upgrade from the magura phaons that had just died.
A new bar and stem (bit wider, bit shorter) to finish off.
Grip/rolling resistance improved with the UST and the fork works a treat, drivechain is new and works perfectly.
It's not held me back in anyway, faster than my alfined hardtail (and lighter too), it just needs more TLC after a muddy spin.
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Although looking at that piccie, I need to get a black QR for the back.
Or get a hardtail frame and swap the parts over, keep the 5
Then if you want to ride ht fine or within a couple of hours you can ride fs just by swapping the parts over
Just put the same headset in on both frames to save changing crown races and get a ht frame with the same seatpost size
Here is my story. I have a 2006 Reign, my only bike, XC, Surrey Hills trails, Alps.
I fancied a hardtail and after some research built up a BFe earlier this year. Really love the bike and stopped riding the Reign for 4 months (xc, surrey trails, Peaks etc).
Upgraded some bits on the Reign in preparedness for Alps but after the BFe just could not get on with it, it really felt sluggish and dated. So I changed the frame for a Covert keeping the forks and upgraded bits from the Reign.
My suggestion is build the BFe (I say it's just what you're looking for and will be a blast), keep the Orange frame and see how you go. Most new bits you may put on the Orange/BFe in the future will go on a more modern frame design anyway if after the BFe you decide you want a change. You could for example but new bling on the FS and keep the BFe for quick thrash rides and the winter on the basis you wanted two bikes.
IMO bike design has moved on a lot in last 5 years, enough for a muppet like me to notice.
Thanks everyone so far some great advice.
Lots to think about this week & very glad I decided to join the singletrack forum.
...very glad I decided to join the singletrack forum.
That will soon fade...
I prefer the geometry of the older Fives; the superslack new one doesn't work for me. Get a hardtail by all means; it's always good to keep you hand in.