I want an Orange 5, but just can't stretch to it. What is worth considering as an all round do it all full sus rig for under £2K. Specialized stumpy? Anything else?

Love the Orange geometry, but just can't afford it. The lower spec 5 seems a lot of cash for the spec.

Thanks

Matthew

Whatever you buy, you'll compare it to the Orange you wanted – so save up a bit more.

If I had 2k to spend:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/zesty-314-09-32451

Whatever you buy, you'll compare it to the Orange you wanted – so save up a bit more.

Its overpriced for what it is in many many ways. I bought a Five frame- I was totally underwhelmed. Went back to a Blur4x and it was like night and day. Sorry, I dont get the northerners obsession with overpaying for 'British'.

Trek Fuel X9 '09 model will keep the price under if you can find it somewhere like JEJames or anywhere else with stock. £50 less than when I got mine though 🙁
Sit on one, if I remember correctly the 17.5" is a "virtual" 17.4" actual 18.5" or some such nonsense. Just sit on one to be sure.

Commencal meta 5.5 2300€ that's just around 2000£.

Have you ridden on – do that first – you may hate it or love it (marmite 😉 ). The if you still love it save up some more 🙂

Agree- you need to testride them for yourself. Even if it involves abit of travelling. I really didnt like the head angle 'in person'. I read the reviews and user thoughts and thought 'wtf' when I built up my frame only Five?!

My mates been riding a Zesty 314 out in Chatel for the last year and its been awesome! yeah you can buy more hardcore full susers but its taken all he's thrown at it so far and he's not shy!

What price for a low spec such as Deore and up grade later, that way ya still get the Orange 5. You could build it up yourself and shop around for kit. Surely you would get that for 2k

I know i sound like a stuck record but have a look at the Chumba XCL 🙂

I could build you a bike around the XCL frame for 2K that included Fox front and rear with a good all round spec.

The Zesty's look nice. How long do the bearings in the rear suspension last? How easy are they to change and how much does it cost?

I know the Stumpy are a pain to change and a bearing kit is £40, and they need doing every 1000Km or so apparently.

Thanks

Matthew

alpine 5 on offers page at orange – 1949

If I had £2K to spend on a bike this is where it would be going;
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/trek-remedy-8-item130186.html
Great bike, good spec, brand new full warranty etc.
Change enough for a litle Thomson goodness 😀

Ghost AMR

Why spend £2k??

This is absolutely fantastic at 1750

Don't think you could go wrong with a Giant Anthem or Trance – my sis has the latter and is a good all round stead.

giant suspension works well to boot

matthewmountain – I want an Orange 5….for under £2K.

they start at £1999.99 which when i was at school was under £2000 so you can have exactly what you want!

An anthem is a very different bike to an orange 5 though isn't it?
There's a surprisingly good choice here though. I can't say that I'd entertain a SH/battered 5 against this lot TBH.
The remedy and ghost have full XT!

How's about what's in my LBS

2008 Turner 5 spot in white with black rear end,
Fox float 36 RC2 forks
XTR M970 Chainset + front Mech
Sram XO Shifters and Mech
Specialised Royale 20mm Wheelset
Hope Mono M4s 203mm front 183mm rear
Thomson Stem and Post
Easton Carbon bars
Maxxis High Roller 2.35 tyres

Previous owner broke his back in a motorbike accident. This thing is in 100% MINT condition and looks Awesome.

He wanted £2200, but I reckon he'd take £2000

An anthem is a very different bike to an orange 5 though isn't it?

yep but then you could go for a Trance instead

An anthem is a very different bike to an orange 5 though isn't it?

So what would be my response….. somewhat cheekily!

The Anthem is a replacement for a Giant Reign. The Reign was great downhill, but more than I needed – and too heavy for all day or for comfortable climbing.

The Anthem X3 is amazingly quick downhill for a 4" bike, but also devours the twisties, and is quick and comfortable pretty much everywhere. After all, the Orange 5 is still a trail bike, rather than a "big" bike

Get the X3 and stick a pair of 120mm forks on it ! End of story really!

I'd be extremely interested to find out what this is like

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-er2-m-xl-111355298/

Assuming you dont give a toss about riding a big brand bike, that looks fantastic for the money

160mm
Lyrics
Maxle
Monarch 3.3
Complete XT drivetrain, brakes and wheels
32lbs

Pitch Pro and spend the rest on hookers and replacement bearings.

"they start at £1999.99"

The 5 S is poor value though, too much very basic kit on it, you get nicer parts on a £500 Halfords bike. Very much "I want a Five but I can't afford one".

Still, much better than last year's at least, where they stuck "Minimum travel 140mm" on the website then sold the bike with a 130mm fork 😛

Anyhoo. Buying new is going to limit you a lot, I'd be hard pushed to tell you exactly what my Hemlock owes me but it's a long way under £2000, and the spec boots the Five Pro into touch never mind the S. Most parts were in nearly new condition. £540 the frame, £300 the forks, £250 I think the wheels were, £150 for the brakes, £150 for the gravity dropper and maybe £300 for the rest of it. All top quality kit, all in good shape.

£1,600, or there abouts, will get you a mint condition second hand Whyte E120 from the Bike PLace in Newcastle.

Boardinbob "5yrs warranty on the frame". They know the frames will never be used beyond 6months due to embarrasement 😉

I can't believe we're still discussing this
£1899 from £2500 at JE James

there are still deals to be had on 09 stuff. what size are you? have a look see
http://www.cycle-world.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b2s1p6459
http://www.cycle-world.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s1p6783

That Trek is NICE. Although I still think the Lapierre should be investigated.

Capable, different and slightly boutique.

I quite fancy the look (and the spec) of this very-close-to-£2000 Focus First 2010.

I'm no expert,only been seriously riding about a year,but I bought a Spesh Enduro and i love it

£2k on the nose……and available for demo,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43121659@N06/4198394724/

Or £1650 for the cheaper one, both awesome bikes 😀

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43121659@N06/4184611383/

Carpe diem that is NICE 🙂