[Closed] new orange 5 or orange alpine 160 ?

Why does the 5 keep winning trail bike of the year then ?

Whats this "Trail bike of the year" you speak of?

I guess you read magazines like MBR or MBUK or something as equally useless, then base your opinion on theirs.

Don't get suckered into believing that all these linkages are required.

I only believe what I know through experience

davidtay wishes he brought an orange. simple

brought or bought ?

misterfrostie - Member

"Why does the 5 keep winning trail bike of the year then ?"

From MBR... the mag that says the Strange Five has the best geometry for a trail bike ever and is a big improvement over the 2010 Five, but when the 2011 Five comes along with the same geometry as the 2010 model, says that's also the best geometry for a trail bike ever?

Yes, let's think, why does it keep winning TBOTY? Why does the review say "The rims aren't strong enough and are too narrow, and the brakes don't work. 10/10!"

Not a criticism of the Five btw, I'm sure I'd love one and if I could've got one for the price I got my Hemlock I would have. Just a criticism of the laughably biased MBR 😉 And even they gave the Zesty joint top honours.

look its simple..everyone just buy orange bikes then we can all meet up and compare ! comprende.....lol 😉 soon i,ll be wanting to change my orange to a 2011 bike (dont get me started) lol

I have a 5 , the model just before the bend In the top tube but now I'm wanting the latest one 🙂 and recently I've acquired an orange crush 🙂

I have three Fives (I know, I know, but they're all built up entirely differently) and a Patriot. I'd say if you think you're in the market for a Five Alpine then a patriot with 150 or 160 forks is probably worth looking at. I love mine so much I ride it almost all the time, despite havibng 10 other bikes to choose from.

I think its just everyone's different opinions on bikes really "imo" lol it all depends on the style of the rider and how he/she rides it, some people buy bikes for the ups some buy em just for the downs some bit of both, so despite everyone saying ohh buy this no get this blah, its just easier to make your own decision after trying a few out and going for whats best and what was comfortable the most for the area you ride in 🙂

😛

I have a 2010 five pro with some SE bits... I've never felt under biked yet. Im 15st and quite harsh on it and it has taken it all in its stride.

I wanted one bike for all with baby on way I cant have more than one. It had to fulfill the following:
XC all day rides in cheviots, Innerleithen red, Glentress R & B, Fort William Red, Highland all day adventures, Thrunton Woods and if the chance arose to go to the alps it had to do it.

So it had to be a mix of AM, XC and light DH.

I ride with guys who have Enduros, Turner 5 spots, Intense things, alpine 160's, Spicys.

The only thing Im looking at changing are the xm317 rims for some Stan flows and maybe go to a 36mm talas fork, Iv'e ditched the 44T ring for a bash and added a blackspire stinger.

At the moment Im mainly riding the same spot which is quite steep and technical and I occasionally think that I maybe should have got an Alpine but when it comes to the climbs I forget it, and the 5 definitely doesn't slow me down on the downhills.

Any chance to post a pic:

[img] [/img]

fullysussed ::: are you quite sure you have enuff bikes now or is there room for just one more ! 😉 hehe.

ive already got a kid at 4 months and if i buy a new bike it will be my 3rd lol

you need to buy a fourth bike for jacob... 😉

lol, off to leisure lakes for a gander after we take him swimmin

Maybe some of my love of Oranges is due to the fact I never buy a complete stock bike. I always buy a frame and build it up using my own components so I never have to worry about wheel spec, brakes etc. I therefore don't really feel qualified to comment on component spec on standard bikes.
But thats part of the atraction of MTB to me - if you don't like something or you need to upgrade, its easy and fun to do so.

went to lbs today and felt the weight of a Alpine 160 and its not heavy at all, i expected it to be alot heavier and its only slightly heavier than my cannondale so at least i know how heavy the 160 is now 🙂

I don't find my Alpine heavy either.

if yes forget the Alpine go for the Five, our hills ain't big enough to warrant that bike

Isn't an Alpine 160 a Patriot front end on a 5 rear? My Patriot is FAR better on the downs than my 5. Although the 5 is good it's just not the same thing at all. Patriot is much more assured mainly due to the head angle, and to a lesser extent the kit. The Patriot is also 30.5lbs with a careful build and no compromises (apart from arguably air springs), so it goes up and along pretty nicely too.

These are both 2007 models mind.

well the guy told me in the shop he said the patriot has been replaced by the alpine 160 and said if i got the hope pack (i think he said hope pack) it can become lighter but it does look a good bike, id prefer white forks instead of silver though

A guy in Morzine took my bike off the lift at the top and was shocked how light it was. Its a good strong bike no question. No matter what colour forks you prefer Chris you can always swap em easily enough 😉

I only believe what I know through experience

So when did you last ride a decent kitted 5 and Alpine and what did you dislike about them ?

so frostie if i did get the alpine, i could ask for the forks to be in white?

Well I guess you could ask for nothing. Not sure which year they changed the floats to Silver. Give Craig a ring at Stif in Summerbridge. He's ultra helpful I'm sure he could sort you out. You could even bob up to Stainburn with a demo bike and try my 5 at the same time 😉

yer, im on with my lbs there supposed to be getting some demo bikes in for me hopefully so i can test em out and then choose and then finally BUY lol

Well have fun mate. If you're gonna ride mainly ntural and trail centres in the UK and not do uplift days I reckon the 5's your man. Its a very flexible unit.

i know but for a 2nd full sus the alpine looked very intriguing when i picked it up today and was shocked to find it wasent heavy at all, i jsut want something with 160 trvl something with bit more umph! and to really attack the trails thats why i want to see how i get on when i demo the apline and the am and maby the pro

If I didn't have such an embarrassment of funds I'd definitely have an Orange 5 in my stable.

PJM1974 :::: none of us are rich...but "you only live once"...ya mite as well have the 'best of the best' whilst still living on this planet ! time waits for no-one.. 😉

Amen to that 8)

3 weeks & counting!

yeh ive got to wait until july/august before i can demo the bikes i want, thats when they get them in stock

Its July now dude 8)

sorry august aug/sept, ive just finished work i cant think im tired lol

Pardon the doubtless blasphemous nature of my question, but as someone who knows nothing about FS bikes (and only slightly more about hardtails), what makes the 5 AM worth the best part of a grand more than say, a Specialized Enduro Comp?

.... youve simply gotta try the 'five' over the 'Enduro comp' (then you will see which comes out on top ! 😉

yeh demo the 2 and find out your self but im guessing its the feel of the ride ;p

[img] http://lp1.pinkbike.com/p4pb5326891/p4pb5326891 [/img][img] http://lp1.pinkbike.com/p4pb5326878/p4pb5326878 [/img]What about my one !

All you need to do is chose the colour

If this helps you split the two a little for your decision,

I have an Alpine and an ST4.. I've given up riding the Alpine in the Peak etc as the ST4 does what I need.

If you want to pigeon hole the Alpine a little, look at its spec/Geometry, its got a 224s main pivot. and a VERY long wheelbase, if you compare geometry side by side with an Spesh SX Trail its virtually the same. Its more of a mini DH bike you can peddle to the next DH track.

Hope that helps with your decision.

[img] [/img]

Who needs an alpine 160....

Who needs an alpine 160....

I'm pretty sure I do.

Likewise I am growing increasingly convinced that I need to sell my M3 and replace it with an Alpine. It's that gnawing sort of thought that wont go away until I've done it.

Medium Red Intense M3 frame and boxxers anyone? 😳

ill find out if i need one when i demo it soon 🙂

Ive chosen the Alpine, for a reason not mentioned here so far. My Stumpy is pimped so much, but keeps busting, I need a bike that will take a hammering, ride XC but take in occasional DH days. Its gotta be simple to look after, single pivot is as simple as it gets. Also my skill is not top notch, so the Alpine 'forgives' my lack of skill, a lot! It soaks up my mistakes and keeps me rubber down! i just point and grin! I dont win races to the top, but I am getting very fit, but downhill, oh boy.... get outta my way.......

I had a go on my mates new 18" 2011 Orange 5 last week.

Normally i ride a Cotic Soul or Turner Flux which both have a 24" TT and being 6' with a fairly long reach the bike seemed a little on the short side.

Overall the bike felt great and didn't seem to notice the slack HA even on twisty single track, tapered head-tube makes the front end feel very solid and it looks atheistically pleasing unlike some other tapered HT bikes.

If i was looking for a bike mainly for this country and occaisonally for steeper trails abroad i'd get the 5 (or 5AM) if you want the bike mainly for abroad then i'd go for the Alpine.

Looking at the Alpine myself but won't be bothering until 30.9 seat-tube and tapered head is standard,

i'm hoping to demo both next weekend, but is the Five really worth 400 quid more than the Heckler?

noticed this this thread has died. However interested to know whether you got a 5 or alpine and if so what was the lead time? I bought an ex fuel 9 from my lbs however after my my friend buying a 5 AM 2 days later and me trying it i was hooked. I took the bike back and with some discussion and a good lbs i swapped it for an order for a 5. What amazes me is when reading these threads no one ever mentions the riding position. it is so different to the rest of the bikes i have ridden. You "sit in" a 5 where as you "sit on" most other bikes. That is the main reason i swapped. 😆

chris won't actually buy a bike, he just needs to look cool

I have the 5-pro and the alpine 160 and use them for different types of riding.

The 5 is great for going up and down, but the Alpine is unbelievably good going down. My problem (or should i say my preference) is that i've got the Alpine setup with 2.5inch Minnions, thick DH tubes, CCDB on the back and the Fox 2011 Talas (180mm) on the front, so it's a bit of a slog going climbing. Mind you, it's a bvloody good work out!

Like many have said on here, it's your bike, set it up as you will. Only you know.

Medieval was that your Alpine 160 with 180mm forks
you had pictured on here!
That did look a trial monster.

Yes, the very same. Used it in Les Arcs for a week, since then had a couple of trips to Inners and some local venues. Brilliant pointing down, hard work going the other way!

alot of money to spend to just have as an abroad bike.,
and alot of travel for over here...

Blower - Member

alot of money to spend to just have as an abroad bike.,

'A lot of money' is relative to income/funds available.

Besides, we need people to get out there and spend in order to reinvigotate the economy. Come to think of it, you should all go out and buy at least two new bikes each. If your wife/girlfriend gives you any aggro, simply look at her with disgust and accuse her of being unpatriotic.

😛

Nice thread just read the whole lot today, I have owned a specialized hard rock pro for a couple of months but already looking for a better bike and orange bikes look great! Bit pricy though so I may have to buy second hand...

After similar deliberation, I opted for the Alpine, use it as a XC bike and Downhill. Its Happy doing either. Its 32lb with Grav Dropper post (20" frame).The extra travel is a blessing to absorb mistakes and it climbs very well. A big plus is that its not once been in for any work in 18months, previous stumpjumper (although great bike too) was in for repair monthly. Yes i do hammer the bike but the Alpine is tough as nails and very reliable. I'd probably be happy with a 5AM but the Alpine copes with the uplift days and is very light compared to full DH rigs, and I've not yet found it wanting for more travel! To sum up, I'd miss the travel too much to go for a lighter bike, anyway 3 or 4lbs lighter is about the size of large turd!

Also my skill is not top notch, so the Alpine 'forgives' my lack of skill, a lot!

Interesting reason to buy a bike......

I went and ordered the orange 5 s new in the end, got the fox 32 fork and hope hub upgrade, 10% off too 😉 should arrive end of next week... I hate waiting

5AM is a must. Does everything and is soooo secure on big stuff! The tallas fork is a must but be warned if you use it alot it needs a yearly service!