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Currently got a 2010 Kona five O with upgraded forks. Looking to get a bit of extra comfort and handle the trails easier especially bombimg over roots at speed. I m looking to get an Orange five frame then build my components onto the bike, but for my price range i am probably looking at the frames pre 2006 with the straight bar. How do these frames perform compared to the new style? Also are they good for trail centre as well as a bit of freeride?
Geometry is stepper on the 2006 frame and shorter folk length upfront.
The rear shock was a Monitou swinger but i am sure it had pro pedal.
But have seen many people changed it for the Fox RP23.
Other than that the frame is fine for a bit of hard core but not freeride biking
[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7582093034_7abaf2ae2d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/55623703@N05/7582093034/ ]Orange Five at Silton[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/55623703@N05/ ]Adam Branston[/url], on Flickr[/img]
This is my 2005. I use it for everything apart from light xc stuff. Natural trails, trail centre and a bit of DH. Get some travel adjust forks and it will go from 120-150mm.
You won't regret it if you get one.
I've got one, had it since 2005. I love it, I do all kinds of riding. There's something about the 5 that makes it greater than the sum of its parts - I mean you can do all those weight/height/geometry sums then ride the 5 and it's... briliant!
The only bad thing is the shock, it's a Manitou Swinger. I have never managed to get it to work as well as the Fox shock I had on my Santa Cruz. I wish it would hurry up and break so I can legitimately change it. I don't service the damn thing, hoping it will pack up, but no - it just keeps on going!
What grantway says re angles and fork is incorrect for the 2006 year model. Head angle on the 2006 is the same as the 2007 and 2008 models and they can take a 160mm fork although recommended is 140. Details are all on the orange website if you Google "orange five 2006". I had a 2006 until a couple of months ago and it was great. I now have a 2011 and the only difference I can feel is the better rear shock and the effect of having bolt through axles.
I'd aim for a 2006 if you can, my frame, shock and hope headset sold for 290
Depending on your height and budget, [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/grey-16-orange-five-pro-2012-frame-for-sale-800-ono ]this[/url] sounds a bargain... provided the seller is legit.
800 too expensive for me, need to look at the older models, the freeride im doing is only around 3 to 4ft drops would the older 5 frame handle this, would i see m7ch improvement over the roots and more stability when landing?
3 to 4 ft you be fine, just basic basic mountain biking
It maybe wise to get an 1mm off set head set
But in saying that ride it first them make the changes
Had a 2005 model, had a bargain deal on a 2007 frame and didn't notice a great amount of difference between the two, and wouldn't change it for the newer models as I find they're too slack for me.
just bought 2013 model comes in 3 says 🙂
I had an 06, straight top tube but with rounded edges on the swing arm. I am with the guys above who say this was the last year of the steep geometry.
I ran with 140 uturn Revs and eventually ditched the manitou swinger for a Rockshox Monarch that was on offer. Big improvement.
For big stuff I ran the shock a bit softer and the forks a bit harder to slacken it out. Great bike, only sold it for a great deal on an 09.