Hi Crew,

Picked up my 2017 Orange Five frame on friday just in time for me to build it up for the Hope Valley challenge on Saturday morning. Before I start I had the 2016 five but damaged to bottom tube a month or so ages but Bikmo insurance were great which aloud me to get the 2017 frame.

First things first, the frame felt loads lighter than last years (300/400g lighter) and it looks great in the flesh.

The ride started strait into a climb and i couldn’t believe just how different it felt strait away, It felt like it just skipped along the top of the rocky climb. Once the first decent come up (the Beast in the peaks) it was a matter of just holding on and just letting the bike do the work (with a grin ear to ear by this stage). As the peaks are after a decent it means strait back into a climb and once again it was just a complete different bike to the 2016 model. i am not sure on the weight difference in to 2 but its climbed really good and felt super light under me. I feel the slightly different pivot point had a lot to do with this. As the day went on it just proved to be such a fun and capable bike in all areas.

Not that i have ridden and orange four but i feel the new five rides how i pictured the four would but offers that extra travel when you want/need it.

Overall i think its a great bike and just can’t wait to get back on it through the week.
Spec..
shimano xt 11 speed
Rockshox 150mm Pike
Hope tech enduro pro 4 wheel set
hope tech3 E4 brakes
stealth dropper
burgtec bars
burgtec stem

Didn’t get the chance to get many pics so here is one before the ride.