I’m quite partial to a wheelsize debate. Gives you something to do when you can’t be riding. But, let’s face it, the various sizes on offer don’t make that much difference. They just give the designer another parameter to play about with to get the bike to feel the way they want.
Whether the wheels are 26, 27 or 29 a Five will feel like a Five. The bigger wheels (and the other changes that are made to accommodate them) tend to make a bike that is a bit faster a bit better at rolling over stuff but a bit harder to manoeuvre around. But only a bit.
That’s my main objection to 650b really. Having ridden 26″ and 29ers I just don’t see the difference as being big enough to warrant something in the middle. But I can’t really blame Orange for following the trend.
I do think they missed a trick by not continuing to offer the Five “Classic”. I doubt it would have cost them much to keep it as a frame option and it might have got them a few more sales.
Personally, if I were looking to buy an all-rounder from Orange I’d be looking at the Gyro rather than any of the Fives. But my definition of all-rounder may not be the same as yours.