Poor Findus. I wouldn’t want to be saddled with those accusations.

But that’s my point – I really don’t care about how a bike might ride if I’m never going to get on it/give it a chance because it makes my eyes bleed.

Of course, I accept beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but generally I’ve always liked Orange bikes so it feels like a design departure for them.

I’m an Orange fan too. And I am biased. I ride one, I love it.

I’m happy to hold my hands up and say maybe I’m just uncomfortable with the changing market (29ers, 650b etc.,)

But of course a bike has to look good as well as ride well. I really don’t see what’s wrong with that statement.

timc – I don’t care how it rides, it looks terrible. A bike has to balance performance and aesthetics.

Sorry, I take that back about the Gyro. I meant the Clockwork – an insult to the Clockwork legacy.

I was going to post about this, but then couldn’t be bothered. Since you’ve started a thread though I’ll say what I was going to…

NO NO NO NO NO! I think it’s tragic that manufacturers like Orange will make a bike like this, but stop making a bike like the P7.

Maybe I’m out of touch, but with the gopping Gyro and now this, I’m really disappointed.

I’ve done it a couple of times. It’s a lovely route, bit techy and steep in places, but as said above, nothing you wouldn’t find at a trail centre. Some of the surface is quite loose and off camber, so don’t grab your brakes!

Couple of hours is about right, and it’s a nice steady down the whole way.

Enjoy!

Don’t go all out too soon. It’s a lot more tiring than normal biking, so save some energy (I didn’t and it ruined the last hour of the session for me).

Sorry, no sign of my spare one. I’ve now lost two!

I lost one years ago in Cwm Carn car park. You’re welcome to the spare one if I can find it… [goes off to search]

Newport is the best bet from Bristol. It’s great fun – though be prepared for your legs to feel a whole new kind of pain!

Pah, modern tosh.

There is only one fixie movie.

We did 5 months – but were cycling so were pretty slow.

Stand out bits for me were Doubtful Sound – Queenstown – Wanaka – then along the west coast to Punakaki. Absolutely stunning.

I’m freelance and we’re pretty keen to move. I already have a mortgage, but to move house and get a new mortgage the lenders want 2 years+ accounts. That’s despite me earning significantly more than I used to!
However, if your partner is in a permanent job with a good income the lender may consider 12 month’s worth of accounts.

It does depend on your specific situation so I’d talk to a mortgage broker. Personally, if I was you, I’d stick in the permanent job for a few more months until you move and then strike out on your own.

On Eigg with Rum in the background.

Same thing happened to my Air. Took it to the Apple store and they said it was caused by a power drain and to try the reset if it did it again (it hasn’t luckily).

Ibuprofen won’t do it alone. You need someone to get to a chemist to find you some codeine. Last time my back went and I spent 24 hours awake in agony unable to move, some Codeine sorted me in about an hour. Great stuff.

Mr Grim – I already have a seat clamp too. I think that means I have to do it.

Thanks for sharing.

I’ve almost got enough spares to justify a new build (well… seatpost, bars, levers, cranks… that’s enough to justify a build isn’t it?).

I’m almost tempted by a Pompetamine, but HATE the fact the cable routing is under the top tube. So maybe a Pompino is on the cards if I can find some decent cantis.

Sorry for the hijack, but just out of interest, what brakes and wheels are you all using on your Pomps?

I’m a copywriter. It’s pretty important to my job.

Not that bothered about the bike. But can I be the first to say: Best. Shed. Ever.

cynic-al speaks wise words indeed. My P7 frame weighs something like 6 pounds but rides far, far better than any of the ‘light’ hardtails I’ve owned. I really don’t think weight is a guide to ride quality – ask my girlfriend. IGMC

That said, I do thing Orange’s prices are crazy for the spec. Don’t think I’d buy a full bike from them again, and I’d wait to get a frame in the sales from somewhere like JE James.

When I said Singular, I meant Cotic… unless my subconscious is trying to tell me something…

Yep, finding myself questioning whether I want one quite a lot. I like steel hard tails, so the Singulars tend to catch my eyes a bit.

Luckily every time I ride my P7 all thoughts of a 29er go out of my head.

Just a thought, but would you hear Hope hubs less on the road? I’m only saying that because on a road bike I find I pedal a lot more and roll less, so the hub’s engaged less.

Dry cag and dry trousers for me – but then I’m a whitewater kayaker and freshwater gets seriously cold in winter. I don’t wear gloves (ruins the ‘feel’ of the paddles), but wear wetsuit socks and Teva shoes.

I also surf a bit (badly), and ‘get by’ with a 3mm wetsuit, gloves, boots and (if it’s windy) a wetsuit hat. I say get away with a 3mm suit because I wear a thick rash vest. Next time I’d probably get something like this to go under the wetsuit – mmmm warm

As trail rat says Taupo and Roturua have tons of trails (I didn’t do any, but saw plenty).

Some good stuff around the hills of Wellington. A mix, but some long bridleway-type riding to be had.

But I really enjoyed Queenstown and Wanaka. Bit of something for everyone there and the scenery/lifestyle is just great there.

Ahh, happy times…

In my experience, going from a cheap aluminium hardtail to a cheap steel hardtail there was a massive difference. If I’d gone to an expensive aluminium or carbon hardtail then maybe the difference would’ve been massive too.

Must admit, Talas is about the only thing that could tempt me and is probably what I’ll get when the Vanilla dies. The ability to drop the travel a bit on climbs would be very, very nice!

tinsy – the Vanillas are too nice to sell. 3 years old and still as plush as a cashmere cod piece. Go get some, they’re great forks!

qwerty – hmmmm, but the Hummingbird forks aren’t black to match my frame (yes, I am a tart).

tinsy – Vanillas are 140mm with about 20% sag. Hadn’t really factored in the sag factor… maybe some flat bars and a 0deg stem rather than the 6deg currently on there?

Thanks Rorschach, but going for the F8 as it will take full guards for touring duties.

Thanks all

I’m going to get an F8 fork anyway for winter, so will try and borrow a 29er wheel to see what it’s like. Will post some feedback.

shortcut – I can think of a few people who have an opinion on that!

Been using the Blackburn ones for a couple of years. Very bright, easy to charge. The rear stopped working a few months back and was replaced free of charge – they have a lifetime warranty. Would highly recommend them.

P7 has rack and mudguard mounts. My 2009 manages a non-disc rack with a small 3mm spacer on the disc side.

This is impressive stuff! (For a bunch of Audi driving IT workers who only ride Orange 5s.)

French Alps

Italian Alps

I’m generally hopeless at DIY/tool-based stuff. But just ploughed on in with my old Kona Blast back in 2006, and every bike since then has been a self-build.

As has been said, it’s an incredibly satisfying thing to do. And, most importantly, it’s not hard either. Get the right tools, be patient and go for it.

As for a frame, it depends what you want. I do love the look of a Soul or Solaris personally…

When my FS was nicked a couple of years ago I went to an Orange P7. When the FS was recovered I stayed with the P7.

Having said that, I now think the P7 is a bit too rad/hardcore for the more mincy jeyboy XC type riding I do these days. May try and find a lighter, shorter travel steel hardtail… decisions, decisions…