alternatives to Orange Five Pro

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Morning All

Having recently dusted down my Trek 6000 and hit some trails in Bristol im thinking about an upgrade. Probably dont "need" it, but im sure everyone in this forum shares the " want shiny new thing" syndrome.

Im currently looking at the Orange Five Pro ( LBS has one of the last current ltd editions in my size in stock - I actually prefer the standard colours but this has slightly better spec for £100 less) Im due to borrow their demo bike today for a couple of evenings local riding, but before I commit, what would you all highly recomend as an alternative. I like the Old School ain't broke dont fix it design of the Five and the fact that its designed and made in Britain. Im also flummoxed by a lot of the tech jargon so I need laymans explanations into why one os better than the other. From what im aware of the reviews are very positive.

Thanks

[Gooby]

Yeti ASR, if you like a big hitter, Yeti SB66. Commencal Meta, Santa Cruz Nomad or Blur. When I got my '5 SE, these were the only bikes that came close. Obviously I rode the SB66 at a later date. I was too much for my local trails but it climbed surprisingly well and had that heavenly Yeti steering feel.

The 5 is very much a marmite bike, as many people hate it as love it. Bear in mind it is a very changeable character. The difference to the ride that is made by a stem is surprising and there are a few things you MUST spec. It is not the best climber in the world (good not great) Put Talas forks on it then whel the climb gets tough, drop the front down to 100 and it is easy.

[missing the VR6]

Just ordered a 5 Pro myself and can't wait for it.

I assume you mean the Black Gold edition, yes there are spec upgrades mainly the forks and shock but there is also a lot of spec down, no Hope hubs, avid elixr brakes, lesser wheel rim, not sure about the drive train.

I ended up speccing a 5Pro with the Kashima shock and forks plus a maxle, UST wheels, Maxle, Hope Evo brakes, Hope headset and custom paint for £100 more than the Black Gold, well worth negotiating as there are deals out there, I can point you towards two companies near me that will do you a good deal.

As for alternatives, I keep wondering why I didn't buy the Zesty 714 as it's probably a better spec in terms of components and it's carbon so nice and light, I guess the whole boutique thing with Orange and UK built and the good things i've heard ref Hope and Orange customer service vs Hotlines who import Lapierre swung it for me after miserable customer service from them with my current Ghost.

[GSP]

Just order a Five Pro in the spec you want.

The Black / Gold Edition has quite a few low spec bits on it.

I just turned my Five Pro into a stupidly high spec Five AM for an Alps / Passportes Du soliel trip.

Love it, the only other AM bike I would potentially buy would be a carbon SC Nomad.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

sound adive so far, thanks. Others have told me to try the Lapierre as well, but I think I just prefer the looks of the Orange. Ive arrabnged to pick it up at 3 sop lets see howe the test ride goes. I fancy a lairy orange one with green wheels!

[Gooby]

If you "like" orange on Facebook, you will get photos of some of the lairy paint jobs that have been requested.

[Digga]

I tested a Five and then a PHer kindly allowed me a test ride on a Nicolai Helius Am and I have to say although they're not cheap, tey are truly Epic. Google for the reviews on the main bike mags/sites and you will hear them all raving about the rigidity of the chassis and the ability to soak up roots and rocks and still pedal well up hills.

Here's one I spanked earlier:



Again, Nicolai's designs evelove very slowly - like Orange, they don't fix what ain't broken just so the 201x bike looks 'all new' for the marketing men.

[Minnsy]

I have an orange 5, however a couple of mates have the Zesty... they are lovely machines. I would look at the 514 or 714 as well as the O5.

Depends which economy you want to support!

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Ive just been out on the demo five for a couple of hours and surprisingly I don't think I'm sold on it. I will go out again tomorrow. something just didn't click with me and it felt quite agricultural in a way, weird. when I got it wound up though it was great. ergo, the bike is better than me so maybe as I improve the bike will suit my skills more. hmm.

[theboymoon]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Ive just been out on the demo five for a couple of hours and surprisingly I don't think I'm sold on it. I will go out again tomorrow. something just didn't click with me and it felt quite agricultural in a way, weird. when I got it wound up though it was great. ergo, the bike is better than me so maybe as I improve the bike will suit my skills more. hmm.

IMHO give a Zesty a try in that case, you might get on better.

Or have you looked at Santa Cruz Blur LT. A bit more £ but a very nice machine

[nammynake]

Canyon Nerve AM

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/series/ner...

[Digga]

theboymoon said:

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Ive just been out on the demo five for a couple of hours and surprisingly I don't think I'm sold on it. I will go out again tomorrow. something just didn't click with me and it felt quite agricultural in a way, weird. when I got it wound up though it was great. ergo, the bike is better than me so maybe as I improve the bike will suit my skills more. hmm.

IMHO give a Zesty a try in that case, you might get on better.

Or have you looked at Santa Cruz Blur LT. A bit more £ but a very nice machine

The single pivot swing arm is not to everyone's taste. Was not mine and I've tried three different Fives. Good bikes as they undoubtedly are (certainly win on mud clearance in UK!) I personally couldn't live with one.

I'd second the Lappierre and also the Blur, but cannot recommend the Nicolai enough. You eiter 'get' them and the whole 'industrial' thing, or you don't though.

Enjoy: http://www.nicolai.net/22-1-Helius+AM.html

(BTW, they do have a UK distributor who are pretty good with advice & ideas for build.)

[GSP]

The geomtry of the Blur I found horrible.

Great as a racer, really over the bars. But horrible elsewhere, on rocky descents in the peaks it just feels like you are going to go over the bars.

[Digga]

GSP said:

That looks very tasty!

[P-Jay]

The Moonies, Raëlism, Scientology, there aren't so many blind cults anymore since the whole Waco thing.

Edited by P-Jay on Thursday 1st March 13:27

[Digga]

P-Jay said:

The Moonies, Raëlism, Scientology, there aren't so many blind cults anymore since the whole Waco thing.

Edited by P-Jay on Thursday 1st March 13:27

How very dare you, I've never been so insulted in, at least the last hour or so.

You forgot single-speeders and fixies.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Thansk All, went out on it again this morning and strangerly felt a lot more at home. Wil try the Lapierre next though to compare.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

..and my son seems to like it too.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I think im also going to try the ghost AMR 7500. anyone know anything about them?
The Nicolai looks gorgeous butout of my price range. ( as theoretically is the 5 pro, but I hoped to fall in love with it)

[a11y_m]

I've owned an Orange Five in the past (a 2005 model). I know the model/geometry has evolved somewhat since then, but I never felt perfectly comfortable on mine.

It's just what you prefer: before the Orange I'd had an original (2003) Specialized Enduro, then after the Orange had a 2008 Giant Reign. The Reign itself was replaced with a 2010 Lapierre Spicy which is what I ride now. Perhaps I just prefer the ride of a multi-pivot rather than single-pivot bike? Who knows.

My advice is ride as many as possible if you get the chance. I'd love to add a Zesty to my stable but feel I've already stretched the n+1 rule beyond the limit...