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after a pretty successful demo on a stage 6 (originally was not impressed, but a few more rides it clicked!), its one hell of a bike, 150rear/160front mm travel), enjoyed the 29er wheels once I got used to them, but I still am sure its way too much bike for me, so assuming that the stage 5 will climb better, feel more nimble, and generally more fun for 90% of trails???
I ended up loving the roll over feel of the wheels alone, pick up speed so fast and just mile munch!
so any actual reports to back up my thoughts above, can the stage 5 still deal with the rough stuff well (I'm on a 130mm 5010 now, which deals with everything I can chuck at it, line choice is a bit more important on it though)
any pics of ones built up with 36's/x2's etc and real life reports appreciated
I'm on the fence, as I do love the 5010, so option is a new shock on that, or sell it and go for a stage 5.....one bike only so has to do everything pretty well
somebody must have one , who can report back 🙂 this forum used to full of middle aged orange riding IT goons 🙂
I take it you've read this https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/review-orange-stage-5-rs/
I think he liked it! There was another write up later in the year where he raved about it even more.
Had mine since just before Christmas. Built up with 150mm Yari and Float X2 on the back. Previous bike was a Five29 and a Stumpy Evo 29er before that.
The biggest jump for me was coming from the Stumpy to the Five29. The Five29 was so much more planted over rough ground, and so predictable. I liked it so much that I upgraded to the Stage 5. It handles almost identically to the Five29 (angles are pretty much the same) but just has a smidge more reach, and lower stack.
Its taken a while for me to get the X2 setup how I'd like. I've ended up with max volume spacers fitted, and 200psi which was surprisingly high (bearing in mind the max psi is 250, and I only weigh 75kg kitted up).
I think I ride in a similar area to you - in the peak, mainly seeking out the cheeky steep and rocky stuff. I've also ridden it in the lakes and at BPW (red and blacks) so far. I haven't felt underbiked, despite having slightly less rear travel than the Five29. I bought it as an all rounder, so hopefully its going to do me for long XC rides, and uplift days in the Alps.
yep read the reviews from STW, very promising, and a few others state its the fastest trail bike they've had etc, I think I'm sold on 29er wheels, just not sure on the travel 150mm 27.5 doesn't sound a lot but guess when its in 29er form it probs is the equivalent of 170mm?? is my logic flawed, sure I read it somewhere!
benman , nice one, yep same area all round the peak, wales and a few other spots (still yet to get up lakes in ages, but its a promise I made to myself this year to do it!
the hardest thing for me on demo'ing was getting used to the wheel size change given id never ridden a 29er before, but once that becomes normal, it all started to click, didn't feel any disadvantages at all, it just rolled quicker, climbed as quick if not quicker, easily more fun and generally a blast to ride
I never test ride and always just buy blind, but this time with going to 29er I needed to do so as I wasn't sure at all
glad to hear its working out well for you as a allrounder, and capable of a bit of everything, one thing I don't want is a bike to dull out tamer trails, which is where the 5010 comes alive, so that's why I'm thinking stage 5 over a stage 6
I think the stage 5 comes with 140mm front forks as standard (on full builds). I just ran 150mm on the Five29, so bunged them on this. Seems fine.
The biggest change I noticed when switching to 29ers was the increase in grip, and way the speed gets carried over rough terrain.
yep speed over rough terrain is immense, but its still fun, doesn't take the fun away from it which is what I was expecting, I thought it would steamroller over stuff in a bad way, but it still give lots of feedback on the stage 6
yep think your right 140mm is the stage five, so 150mm will slacken the HA ever so again, but if it feels good stick at it
Mine is Ohlinsed up - TTX coil shock on the back, RXF36 on the front.
It took a few attempts to hit the sweet spot with set-up but now its perfect!
Absolutely love it - best bike i've ridden!
Plus as its aluminum im not bothered about smashing it into rocky trails or binning it!