New Orange Five : Revealed

Check it out!
I hope the pictures work!

EDIT: they don’t work, but check out Orange’s facebook page.

It’s 650B though, a 1.5″ headtube, 142mm rear axle, lighter than the old five, and looks pretty much the same.

I have to say, there is a lack of innovation, which we should really push in the UK, we’re good at invention.

(OK, it fits a new wheel size, whoopee, surely they could innovate and push something else).

Plus, the one thing to confuses me – why the IS tabs?

Thank you, I have no idea why it wasn’t working 🙄

Orange aren’t exactly very innovative – changing wheel size is pretty radical change compared with the usual tweeks 😉

Lack of innovation, you’ll get shot down for saying that. Very true though

You could of posted a 5 year old picture up and i would not be able to tell the difference.

I have to say, there is a lack of innovation, which we should really push in the UK, we’re good at invention.

It’s a bike, with 2 wheels, small changes are all that’s happened for 100+ years!

If it isn’t broke….
Not a bike I’d have, never liked the look of them, but alot of people seem to like them. So why change whats already working.

Massive change for a small company to make such alterations to its core product. Not sure most the commentors have a clue so far.

Atleast it give the range the definition it needs between 5 and 160.

Cant wait to see the reviews, maybe 650 is now the trail wheel.

I wonder if you could put the 650B swing arm on the 26″ front triangle? 🙂

I’m about to buy a Santa Cruz Superlight. You could say the same about that.
I want a bike that’s easy to maintain and that won’t be any more out of date in 10 years time.
Not everyone wants a Fire Blade I would be very happy with a Bonneville.

If it isn’t broke….

…then it probably will be soon.

😉

What’s NEW about it?

Not sure most the commentors have a clue so far

What I’m saying is Orange are a great UK company, but lack innovation. They’ve created a very well selling product that is great for the UK, but…. that very success has stifled innovation and creativity.

On-One are a good example of a bike company that are keen to embrace new ideas to evolve, while still pleasing their core market.

They develop a product that sells and sells well why change it too much?

orange should do a STW special edition with Cotic stickers on, it would immediately become innovative and great value and be the best option for 24 hour marathon/redbull rampage type riding. 🙄

Anyone else reckon the 5 would look so much better with a straight top tube? It always just looks a bit shit with that kink in it.

They’re never going to make massive changes to it because the risk of alienating their core customer / repeat customer is too great. It’ll also be a case of evolution not revolution, a bit like a 3 series.

The Five isn’t my cup of tea, but I’ve never really to on with Orange full sus bikes not sure why because I’ve loved the hardtails that I’ve had.

What’s NEW about it?

Erm

It’s 650B though, a 1.5″ headtube, 142mm rear axle, lighter than the old five.

still ugly…

surely 650B’s innovation? 1.5″ steerer is too. Small steps to hone a (very successful) product.

Are they Orange innovations Bregante…and how old is 650b again?

surely 650B’s innovation?

Really? implementing 4% bigger wheels that have been about for 40 odd years, and recently pushed hard by Kirk Pacenti? that’s innovation?

I doubt you’d say Samsung coming out with the Tocco after Apple released the iPhone was innovation, that’s implementing technology that already exists.

I’ll stop feeding the thread, my point is Orange don’t really need to focus on anything other than tweaking an existing design to make money. Which is a shame, because they obviously had a really good idea, and may be full of others if it wasn’t such a success.

James Dyson didn’t stop when he created the DC01… why not make the UK greater and keep pushing boundaries? revolution is sometimes better than evolution.

Dyson is an inventor though so a bad comparison with a bike maker- perhaps you mean move production abroad 👿

its a single pivot rear suspension bike who on earth thinks this was innovative?
No offence as i own one

What’s the issue exactly?

Its a slightly revised version of a basic product that sells, head tube, wheel sizing and rear axle options to keep up with the other toys the core market middle management types will be looking at in MBR.

Innovation? What’s that got to do with it? Nobody important wants an innovative bike, just one that works… which that is likely to do.

_tom_ – Member
Anyone else reckon the 5 would look so much better with a straight top tube? It always just looks a bit shit with that kink in it.

You mean like this?

Porsche have kept the same shape for decades. Does that make them bad cars?

Can someone trendy buy one of these and sell me their 17″ early 2013 model please

You know I’m not a fan of 5 Oranges other than Lester being involved, but hey they do have a very loyal following and for that reason I see current owners wanting to upgrade to the new 650b wheelset which will make them feel “good” & “upto date”.
So it’s a winner.
But I won’t be buying one.

Straight top tube no way, I thought the five was the ugliest bike on the planet before the kink. All the best looking bikes have a kink

Nobody important wants an innovative bike, just one that works… which that is likely to do.

What you mean like us IT professional who have spare capital to spend on fancy carbon designs :p

Sorry patriotpro I was just answering the question that you asked, rather than the question you were thinking. 😉

I believe it will do very well for them and is a good addition to the choices they currently provide.

There are without doubt a large number of Orange 5 fan’s, who now have the ability to enjoy their fave bike in all 3 wheels sizes. I can only think of Giant as being the only other manufacturer being able to do the same, and they have yet to get their 650b offerings to market.

How about, instead, we congratulate a British company who operate in a very competitive and subjective market to react so quickly? With the added benefit being their costs to get to market have been kept well under control, maintained their identity and the opportunity for sales, very good.

Whenever I put aside my tribal beliefs and prejudices and look to the bigger picture for just a few moments, my world becomes a much better place 😀

Want a light carbon one. Intense, noted for aluminium frames and welding, have managed it is I think orange should too.

And Turner have done that with the Czar – which looks lovely; considering their Aluminium roots that is a big step for them, they’ve been at the forefront or 29er for years with the Sultan.

Orange making an XC race bike? That could be pretty cool, made with single pivot, and for UK conditions…

You mean like this?

Yeah, looks way better. The kink just gives it that “Santa cruz shitting dog” look.

I feel odd posting in defence of Orange, but here goes…

Being a small British company, one thing Orange are very good at is innovation. That is not to say that everything reaches production, that can often be too risky, but I’ve seen dozens of “Strange” badges prototypes over the years, and is bet many more than I’ve seen exist. Orange have quickly brought many new designs of frame onto the market in their range other than the 5, and sometimes they have worked and stayed in the range for a while, and sometimes they haven’t and they’ve been axed quickly to make way for a new product. All the while though, the 5 has always been a key seller regardless. And as BMW, VW, Porsche etc. will all tell you, when you have a product that works and sells itself year in and year out without you having to market it or reduce the price, YOU DO NOT make big changes to it when you update the range unless you want to risk financial suicide!

Love em or loathe em, the Orange 5 is popular for a reason. And it probably goes a long way to ensuring the financial success of the company, which whilst its working, you don’t mess with! Porsche have constantly made small evolutions to the 911 for decades, and it still sells. Had it stopped selling they’d have axed it and brought out a new design to replace it, but whilst it has continued to sell well, it has allowed Porsche to invest heavily in other models and technology’s elsewhere in the market place. The very reason they didn’t make the Boxster any more powerful or better handling (they could have done and still undercut the 911 price by £20k) is because they didn’t want to be a competitor to themselves and risk losing money doing so.

The Orange 5 isn’t for me (aside from being expensive for what it is, it doesn’t appeal), but it is very popular. Putting 650b wheels on it is plenty big enough a change given the company’s reliance on the model in the scheme of things. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 650b 5 is sold alongside the 26″ and 29er versions of the 5, at least for a year or so, cos I know some 5 owners that will he happy they’ve recently bought a new one, or will be rushing out to buy an existing model before they run out, cos they want to stick with 26″ wheels indefinitely.

I thought there was a discussion going on Bregante. Hence asking a question…

Fair does if it stumped yer 😉

Seems odd to criticise Orange’s lack of innovation on the day they actually bring out a bike with a whole host of changes.

I like that. I also like the ‘lack of innovation’ from a company that has no need to ‘innovate’ it’s core product. There’s always a place for a sorted single pivot mid-travel trail bike. I reckon I’d give that a try out if I was after a new FS bike. I’d love to see an split/axle pivot on a 5-based design, but it’s a good bike as it is.
Too many times I’m just bemused by what companies do call innovation / progress and wonder where it’s actually got us.. too often, just complexity that doesn’t add to the ride experience in the longer run. 11-spd + electronic MTB kit etc is coming and will we be better off for it? Nothing against all that, but it’s not for me. Guess I’m a 5 type of customer then )