New bike from Orange

That's fugly, looks like the ebike motor fell off and they stuffed the void with Haribo.

i hope there's a bearing on the other side too

do these bikes still suffer from brake jack like the original ones did?

The new long travel bike looks nice but the “change the shape to shove some storage space there” frame looks ugly as sin

So if you store the tools in it. How do you get the screws undone 😕

That weld is earning its money isnt it ... after thought panic to be "on trend " the worst thing to come out of Stainland since the copper that catches the speeders near the cricket club !

That really did hit every branch when it fell out the ugly tree.

I wish I could like Orange.
I like how they do things as a company.
They just don't allow me to by designing such abysmal looking bikes. 😐
I mean, that really is a visual car crash of a bike.
How is it possible that they sell any?
It's ever so slightly less visually offensive than their ebike, and that's really digging deep for something nice to say 🤔
Sorry Orange, I hate saying negative things about a company, but really?

The swingarm has curves, everything else is angular. The shock relates to nothing in its line but has fallen limp onto the downtube.
Amazing.

horrible that. what's new from orange.

The storage box one seems pointless but like the 29er Switch. Be interested in a shorter travel version with the linkage.

I’m not entirely sold on the in frame storage concept in general. On some bikes it works and I’d be happy with it, on others, a neat frame bag would be a better solution. All depends on the frame layout.

Bottle mounts in a useable position are mandatory these days though.

I'm a fan of Orange. Not keen on the storage box but otherwise I love their industrial looks and simplicity. Nice to see they're finally putting a bottle where it belongs instead of slung under the downtube like a turd catching afterthought!

turd catching afterthought

Perfect description of Orange bikes. Bravo.

I also want to like Orange bikes, but it is staggering how they manage to make a bike look new but also horribly dated.

The only good thing about the look of the linkage and storage compartment (wow that's going to help shift units!) is that it takes attention away from the absolutely terrible looking top tube.

I genuinely thought it was an ebike, but even then I thought it's a particularly ugly ebike. (I quite like Orange's ebike, it wears its chonkiness with pride, like Tiny from Ultrasound) But instead it's just a Switch that's someone's ruined. Obviously it's a Strange rather than a production model so details would change but it doesn't need detail changes

Nothing new with Oranges getting a marmite reaction but Orange owners don't seem to be reacting to either this or the linkage bike well, not a good sign. Wonder how sales have gone for the linkage one?

I suppose the folded sheet metal thing is something they feel that gives them a unique identity so that's understandable but I just don't think it's ageing well against their average peer.

Their steel hardtail is lovely. Always fancied one of them.
I suppose the material dictates the form to a large degree, hence why the two styles of bike are so far apart.

I think when they started doing that curvy swingarm, it actually for me, made the bikes start looking a bit less visually harmonious in that you had lots of foldy stuff mixed with hydro formed (maybe?) stuff and the result didn't really sit well together (imho obvs)

Is the folded metal thing something that they will just never let go of?
Seems like something that has defined them, but also, to me, limits them.

To be fair to them, they aren't the only ones coming out with bikes with 'interesting' looks.
This Pole at Sea Otter for example.
I mean, incredible engineering, but man 😬

Must be that I just don't get on with an elevated chainstay bike (despite owning a trek Diesel bitd)

Nevermind, I see that gags already been done.

Its like it has its own, personal tiny built in filing cabinet....

“Is the folded metal thing something that they will just never let go of?”

The difference between Orange and 95% of other MTB companies is that they actually make their own bikes. And that’s how they make them, rather than paying a factory in the far east to use aluminium or carbon in the ways everyone else does.

Yeah I get that.
Anyway, ignore me.
I'm in an incredibly negative mood as I can't sleep atm 😞 🙏

I can't believe you're all such tarts. Bikes are for riding not looking at...?

I can’t believe you’re all such tarts. Bikes are for riding not looking at…?

That ought to be the case, but we all know that it isn't true of... almost anything at all.

I just got a new steel hardtail the other week. Can't stop riding it AND looking at it.
😊
Luckily things can perform brilliantly and look great. They don't have to be mutually exclusive.

I’m quite impressed they’ve managed to fit a water bottle (and filing cabinet) into their frame without adding a linkage. I do prefer how their bikes looks with their usual straight down tubes.

I think it looks fine 🤷‍♂️ of you already like their bikes then the addition of a bottle and storage seems like a win win.

I'm a long term Orange fan - currently on my fourth as my main bike but have owned loads of them over the years. I thought these little boxes in frames were kinda like a nice little afterthought some companies had created - "we've built a new bike but as an added extra, we've included a little cubby hole". That Orange looks like they designed the cubby hole first as the main selling feature and designed a pretty gopping looking bike around it... Weird.

what’s not to like ?

I don't have all day.

I'm so crazy out of time I still use a Camelbak for carrying water and tools.

That P7 😍

The difference between Orange and 95% of other MTB companies is that they actually make their own full suspension bikes.

FTFY

Bikes are for riding not looking at…?

Structure Cycles would like a word, you’re their perfect customer.

I’m so crazy out of time I still use a Camelbak for carrying water and tools

I would consider myself an inveterate CamelBak user but recently got a bike with storage in the frame. After a month or two of trying to get along with the new way of doing things I am migrating back to a pack. Tool storage and one water bottle doesn't cut it on anything over 90mins, t strikes me.

As for Orange putting a cubby in the frame, these things matter on the showroom floor.

After a month or two of trying to get along with the new way of doing things I am migrating back to a pack.

Same here. There's just no combination of on-bike storage for being out all day. I just shove it in a backpack with more than enough water and don't worry about it.

“ That Orange looks like they designed the cubby hole first as the main selling feature and designed a pretty gopping looking bike around it… Weird.”

I think it’s more likely that they dropped the downtube so they could fit a water bottle in, with the other upside that it lets them angle the shock downwards, adding some leverage progression. And then that left an area which would be stiffest if done as a large box section - and if they made it a bit larger they’d be able to fit stuff in it and still have it stiff enough despite the access hole.

Agreed, that storage box looks like a bit of an afterthought. The linkage bikes look like a good idea though.

The difference between Orange and 95% of other MTB companies is that they actually make their own bikes. And that’s how they make them, rather than paying a factory in the far east to use aluminium or carbon in the ways everyone else does.

From a "branding" perspective they could have / could still do what Hope did and make carbon bikes in house? But it'd be an even bigger investment and wouldn't work so well with their current philosophy of making a specific bike for every niche and wheelsize, they'd have to go back to a simplified lineup.

I like Orange, it'd be a shame if they withered into obscurity.

I’m so crazy out of time I still use a Camelbak for carrying water and tools.

Me too. Although for shorter rides where I don't need to carry as much with me, Stif have litterally just delivered me a fanny pack and water bottle 😀

I would consider myself an inveterate CamelBak user but recently got a bike with storage in the frame. After a month or two of trying to get along with the new way of doing things I am migrating back to a pack. Tool storage and one water bottle doesn’t cut it on anything over 90mins, t strikes me.

My stumpy has a swat box and agree that for a local two hourish ride, then its fine, Co2/plugs/zipties/hanger and some tape should get me out of most problems. Big rides at the weekend its a backpack, simply to carry more water.

Gopping, in my view. I want to like Orange - small, UK company that makes frames which should appeal to me - but I'm too vain and could never ride/own something that looks like that. And that's coming from someone who likes the industrial look of a nicely welded alloy frame.

I personally don't "get" on-bike storage - guaranteed I'd forget stuff was in there and set off on a ride on my other bike without transferring the essentials over. Easier for me to grab my riding pack and know everything's with me regardless of what bike I ride. we all own more than one bike, yes?!

I used to like Orange, having 6 differing bikes from them in the last 9 years. But of late pricing really has let them down 2013-15 26/650b fives were their highlight after that... well I see money making and trying to keep up with other companies started to happen.

I personally don’t “get” on-bike storage – guaranteed I’d forget stuff was in there and set off on a ride on my other bike without transferring the essentials over. Easier for me to grab my riding pack and know everything’s with me regardless of what bike I ride. we all own more than one bike, yes?!

I think with the proliferation of "standards", it actually makes more sense the more bikes you have. Otherwise you either have to re-pack your bag each ride, or carry round multiple tubes, hangers, chain links etc. At least with on the bike storage you know you've got the right bits each time, even if it does mean owning multiple tools, CO2 inflators, etc.

None of my bikes are that trendy apparently, but I do have bike specific saddle / top tube bags with the correct parts and tools.

2013-15 26/650b fives were their highlight after that… well I see money making and trying to keep up with other companies brexit and inflation started to happen bite

Who carries a gear hanger on a ride? Do you carry the requisite spare mech as well?

Storage cubbies feel like a joke that went too far. Yes, they make sense if you don't think about it too hard but what you probably end up with is something either too small for what you need or so big that stuff rattles about in. I don't know though, I'm another throwback that still uses a hydration pack, yet to see frame storage that can take a jacket and/or a jersey for the brief moment on the ride that it assumes summer temperatures (Scotland so four seasons in as many hours or minutes if you're really unlucky).

yet to see frame storage that can take a jacket and/or a jersey for the brief moment on the ride that it assumes summer temperatures

That Pole up there is cnc'd in two halves and then bonded together.
If they clipped the halves together rather than glued, maybe you could split it apart on a ride and shove your jacket in 🤔😊

Same as up there really, having the bare minimum of necessary bikes (I have 4) I'd be constantly forgetting which cupboard I'd left my multitool in!

Storage cubbies feel like a joke that went too far. Yes, they make sense if you don’t think about it too hard but what you probably end up with is something either too small for what you need or so big that stuff rattles about in. I don’t know though, I’m another throwback that still uses a hydration pack, yet to see frame storage that can take a jacket and/or a jersey for the brief moment on the ride that it assumes summer temperatures

People riding bikes with a rucksack bigger than a flight carry on limit seems like a joke that went too far to me. Carrying around half a workshop, a wardrobe & 3 litres of water to ride 30km seems like madness.

I can get a decent multi tool, food, water pump & spares on & in my bike & not have what feels like a sweaty midget trying to strangle me when riding down stuff.

Maybe if I was going out bumbling through the countryside, like a rambler on a bike it would be different? 🤷‍♂️

I hated having to ride with one 10 years ago because bikes couldn’t take bottles & will actively discount buying a bike for lack of mounts or storage options.

Stif have litterally just delivered me a fanny pack

I do hope it's a bum bag, cos a fanny is something different in this country.

People riding bikes with a rucksack bigger than a flight carry on limit seems like a joke that went too far to me. Carrying around half a workshop, a wardrobe & 3 litres of water to ride 30km seems like madness.

Depends on context.
We have some rides around here through glens with no phone signal, no houses and halfway up a Corbett, on rocky singletrack rides. Having had a teenage DofE participant injured at the furthest from the road point of that glen, I know how challenging it was to extract her out.
I agree though with a local to home 30km with houses, paths, roads, phone signals etc, then yes I have small seat pack or frame bag and a bottle.

Can't disagree, it's awful. Other brands use space inside existing chunky tubes for storage, but Orange welded a skip to the BB

When everything is lined up, their bikes look clean and I quite like them, newer ones have moved away from that, there's no coherence to the one above at all. just a mess of lines in different directions

Depends on context.

Absolutely this.  Most of my riding is 2-4 hours around relatively small areas (I live in the SE) or at bike parks.  I detest wearing a pack, I can keep everything I need in the glovebox (EDC Pump and Tool, Tube and a few other bits) and enough water in a bottle - the car / civilisation is never too far away).    For my personal circumstances frame storage (whether glovebox or other solution) has become more important to me.

If I'm out longer I'd take more in a hip pack and understand the need to carry more for those heading out on big rides into the back of beyond, what I don't get are the people riding round easy access trail centres with packs bigger than I take on my work commute.

In terms of the Orange (I've owned 2 Orange FS bikes), can't say it floats my boat, storage or not.

@kayak23 - I think they sell lots of bikes because they’re really nice to ride, pedal well and have good geometry. Still expensive and not that pretty but no uglier than many other company’s bikes. Just different.

My 2012 Alpine 160 was pretty silent, pedalled uphill well for a 170/160mm bike and descended as well as anything else at the time. Not ridden any of their newer bikes, but if I had the money for a new bike it would be up there.

@kayak23 - I think they sell lots of bikes because they’re really nice to ride, pedal well and have good geometry. Still expensive and not that pretty but no uglier than many other company’s bikes. Just different.

My 2012 Alpine 160 was pretty silent, pedalled uphill well for a 170/160mm bike and descended as well as anything else at the time. Not ridden any of their newer bikes, but if I had the money for a new bike it would be up there.

I’ll give you the angular and curves clashing. But then I’m more of a straight tube guy anyway

Maybe if I was going out bumbling through the countryside, like a rambler on a bike it would be different? 🤷‍♂️

We have some rides around here through glens with no phone signal, no houses and halfway up a Corbett, on rocky singletrack rides. Having had a teenage DofE participant injured at the furthest from the road point of that glen, I know how challenging it was to extract her out.

I do admire how people can manage to turn literally anything into an insult.

You wear a camelback - that's way too heavy - therefore I am considerably more gnarr than you.

You don't wear a camelback - you clearly must only ride groomed trails near home - therefore I am considerably more gnarr than you.

That P7

I'd a clockwork for years, but when I first got the frame, I was amazed at how lightweight it was.
After X amount of years riding, rebuilding and eventually selling I got a P7 Pure frame. Out the box it must have weighed twice that of the clockwork. The Clockwork and PZ's originally weighed about the same, but these later models i reckon were made from industrial gas tubing. Very heavy, and so much so I sold it on in under a year.

TINAS - you took that from Matt's response? Okay...

My immediate area is sub-Corbett hills but you know what? They're remote, have shit signal coverage and if I have an OTB on a fast descent I need decent clothing with me at any time of year. How that translates to being gnar I don't know, it's just the circumstances I find myself in.

As for water, I'll take what I need because can't guarantee I'll be able to top up or if I'll need to neck a load of it. Again, totally depends on circumstances.

It's not a pissing contest, it's just basic hill safety.

Still expensive and not that pretty but no uglier than many other company’s bikes. Just different.

I beg to differ on that, as would many others on this thread. The only thing I can think of that is uglier is a Pole.

Someone said it looks like a skip and now I can't unsee it. It's just missing a Biffa logo.

Same old Orange comments......

Love my Alpine! 😀

Yeah they should of moved onto Carbon years ago imo, it would allow them the freedom to create much better frame designs without those massive ugly joints.

Same old Orange comments

I know, it's almost like Orange keep doing exactly the same thing over and over again with predictably hideous results.

I do admire how people can manage to turn literally anything into an insult.

I had absolutely no intention to offend or insult.

That P7 had me googling and they are heavily discounted (massively overpriced) from £2600 to less than £1600 but somehow have Clarks brakes. I've never used them, they might be great but I expect more for that price.

The prices are definitely getting a bit bonkers.

I have a 2020 stage 5, which I don’t really have any desire to change. But I saw the switch and thought that deserves a look on the website.

Here in Aus the cheapest build is “from” $15.5k. The most expensive starts at $22.5k! That’s near enough £12k!!

Not Brexit /inflation try change of ownership and lighter alloy used to save weight/costs ...

I know, it’s almost like Orange keep doing exactly the same thing over and over again with predictably hideous results.

And predictably decent profits I'd imagine, hence why they don't change a winning formula too much. Saying that, having had various Orange full suss since 2006 they consistently improve the bikes they produce. However, the prices are insane now so if I was in the market to replace my 2020 Stage 5 (I'm not) I'd probably go Hope instead and I bought a Pace HT frame rather than a P7.

I’d a clockwork for years, but when I first got the frame, I was amazed at how lightweight it was.
After X amount of years riding, rebuilding and eventually selling I got a P7 Pure frame. Out the box it must have weighed twice that of the clockwork. The Clockwork and PZ’s originally weighed about the same, but these later models i reckon were made from industrial gas tubing. Very heavy, and so much so I sold it on in under a year.

The Pure 7 was a cheaper version of the P7 using plainer steel and had less features, the actual P7 of the time was still using decent Reynolds tubes from memory. I had a 2016 P7 that was a bit of a lump but was on point geometry wise and ahead of most manufactures and was a hoot to ride. 2007 Clockwork I had before was much lighter but no where near as good to ride. If we go all the way back my 1992 Clockwork comes in around 25.5lbs.

Funny how their bikes are so emotive.

The current production full-sussers all look great to me, but then I've owned a couple and can appreciate how light they are, how ingenious the construction is and - most importantly - how much fun they are to ride.

I think a lot of people don't realise that they are lighter than some carbon rivals. And I'm not a flag-shagger or anything, but they are so much more satisfying to own. They feel like a piece of engineering rather than a product, if that makes sense.

I can respect what they've done with this new proto, but I'm not sure about adding more weight and messing with the aesthetics just to add the cubbyhole. I definitely don't think they should be making the short-travel frames heavier, they already have the perfect formula on them.

But having defended the looks, the things Orange should be criticised for are:

- Aspirational pricing, no longer an "everyman" brand
- Heavy, unattractive steel HT frames
- Sticking with internal cable routing

Aspirational pricing, no longer an “everyman” brand

Few years back now but they said they could easily sell everything they were capable of producing. Why would they reduce prices?

A few years back their prices were getting higher but still just about defensible.

Not so much now and I see they were punting some out on discount recently, so they may not be selling so easily anymore.

Bit of a bionicon vibe to it

Not keen.

Storage on a bike is a great idea but this is badly done

When I first saw the frame pop up on social, I thought it might be an Intense.

Not a very pretty bike, however just got a Switch discounted to under half price. 2 rides in worth every penny.

Like I can be bothered working out how to post pics. Just imagine a happy 50 something in a full face at the top of first run for the day then lots of pics of me shredding the gnarr to the max!