Looking at getting an Orange 5 frame for a self build – Would like to use existing forks, that have a 205mm steerer tube. Can anyone tell me if they’ll fit with a bit of room for spacers?

120mm headtube on 16″ and 18″ so you should be fine

All the geometry figures are on the Orange website

120mm!, phew that’s a relief.

p.s. ta for website reminder (doh!)

remember headset, spacers, stem etc etc. I have an 18 inch 5 and the forks are beside me at the moment in a box to go to Mojo tomorrow – I have just measured the steerer at 204mm. I am swopping around headsets and will be cutting about 3mm off the steerer to run with an FSA XL2, 15mm of spacers beneath the stem, a Thomson X4 and no spacers above.

remember headset, spacers, stem etc etc. I have an 18 inch 5 and the forks are beside me at the moment in a box to go to Mojo tomorrow – I have just measured the steerer at 204mm. I am swopping around headsets and will be cutting about 3mm off the steerer to run with an FSA XL2, 15mm of spacers beneath the stem, a Thomson X4 and no spacers above.

Thanks for the info. Blimey, talk about great minds think alike! I’m planning to use an XL2 headset & Thomson stem. If poss. would like to 20mm’s worth of 5mm spacers to play around with bar height.

Just for info., what stem length/rise are you running?

bowglie – I recently changed from the Orange stalk stem (80mm, 7 deg)and in house bars to a 90mm 10 degree rise Thomson X4 stem and EA 70 bars. I have ridden it a few times since the change and the front end is a good bit stiffer and with slightly wider bars more comfortable. I am expecting to have the steerer at 200/201mm once I have reset it all – I have ridden it with 15mm of spacers beneath and 10mm on top for a while so know that the 15 mm is right. I think you will be able to get the same setup without touching the steerer, as it sits about 6mm down in my 10mm spacer above the stem. hope this helps -)

Hmm…interesting (esp. what you say about increase in stiffness with new stem) It sounds like my bike build might not be such a haphazard cobbled together mess as I first anticipated. Had a rummage in my parts bin and have got a 90mm, 5 deg Thomson & EA70 mid-rise bars that are original full length. Once again, ta for the info.

that sounds like it’ll be a good setup -)

Geat bikes, hope you enjoy it. here’s mine, old headet and fork still to be trimmed :

Did someone say spacers?? LOL – don’t worry, I didn’t have a hacksaw and vice to get it cut down so needed to get to the shop.

Hmm..nice comparison between frame colours.

GaryLake – are those Fox Vanillas on your bike? (if so, do you find they suit the bike OK?)