Growing up, I always wanted an original Orange Clockwork but funds never allowed for it... I'm looking for a HT for trail centre fun and local rides in the Peaks. I've found a Clockwork Evo in budget (sub £1200). Anyone ride one? Anything else I should look at?
Sunset have them for £100 less if they have your size?
I had a previous generation and it was a good fun bike. Nicely built, decent weight and good geometry for what you want.
Or you could have a proper one, like me!
I lusted after one of those when I was a kid! That was THE BIKE when I was a kid!
I thought the original Clockworks were steel and the Evo is aluminium? Are you wanting the bike for semi nostalgic reasons or are you wanting a (possibly) steel hardtail? Looking at the spec of the Evo I’d say the fork is definitely going to hold it back being a Recon silver. I’d be looking at something with a Revelation or similar with some upgrade options in the future personally.
Yeah it's an aluminium frame... I fancy one for semi nostalgic reasons and also because I fancy a hardtail for winter riding that can fill a number of roles (local stuff and days at trail centres). I know the fork isn't great, I was thinking (hoping) it was a decent frame that would last and that the fork could be upgraded when a decent replacement comes up at sensible money...
Happy to be pointed in a diffedrent direction if there is a better option out there for less than £1200!
Frame only on the Orange website for £330.
https://www.orangebikes.com/shop/factory/new/2023_clockwork_evo_29_frame_smoke_white
I bought the Clockwork Evo, found it a pretty jarring ride (aluminium) so I sold it and bought a P7. MILES, miles better ride, awesome bike, takes a battering, charges through everything, probably underrated on here because it's designed in the UK and built in Taiwan. Steel frame, nearly all components are the same as my Clockwork. SX mech was crap and it's pivots wore out fairly quickly so upgraded to GX, Shimano noname brakes were dangerously crap so upgraded to slx. Fox 34 on p7 loads better than the rev on the clockwork.
It is heavy but I've ridden mine on huge rides and it hasn't bothered me at all.
Buy a P7. 2nd hand 2022 in great condition you should be able to pick up for easily 600/700 with spare money for upgrades.
My mate picked up a 2nd hand immaculate 2022 with full hope (wheels, brakes, stem, BB etc and GX for £1000 last year). A steel steal lol
I loved my aluminium clockwork 120 until it got nicked.
Bought frame only from sunset 150mm fork, -2 headset 26" wheels gave geometry similar to the Evo.
I didn't find it a harsh ride, but did have a 26.8mm seatpost shimmed to fit.
I'm a big Orange fan, but I don't see anything particularly special about their hardtails.
Personally, I'd consider other brands as well - and look at lightly used secondhand options for best value.
I had a Clockwork evo that got stolen too. I built it up from a frame but it was a great bike, the insurance replaced it with an Orange Crush 29 and I prefer the geometry of that but the spec is not a patch on what I built up myself and the heavier wheels hold it back.
Better options out there IMO
check out the heavily discounted stif squatch