Orange Five custom (Dave’s 5!)
Based on a custom Red with sparkle lacquer frame my 5 is made from a mixture of old and new bits.
Overall I find this a cracking bike. I have two gripes. One is I’m forever grounding my pedals but as no one else seems to complain about theirs I’m happy to accept this is my “style” rather than a massive fault of the bike. Secondly I blow through the travel on the shock, especially on bomb hole complexes. TFTuned say that I either need a PUSH upgrade to sort this or a Van R coil shock.
| Frame | 2007 Orange 5 |
|---|---|
| Forks | Pike U-Turn 454 coil |
| Headset | Chris King (3rd frame for this) |
| Bars | On-One Mary |
| Stem | EA50 100mm |
| Shifters | Shimano XT |
| Front mech | Shimano XT |
| Rear mech | Shimano XT shadow |
| Chain | SRAM PC951 |
| Cassette | 2009 Deore 11-32t |
| Chainset | 2005 Shimano Deore XT |
| Front brake | Hope Mono 4 |
| Rear brake | Hope Mono 4 |
| Rims | Rear: 517 Mavic Front: 4.1 DT |
| Hubs | Hope |
| Tyres | Conti Gravity |
| Rear Shock | RP23 |
| Seatpost | Thomson |
| Saddle | On-One Inbred |
| Pedals | Time Z platform |
About the author
Dave's been riding seriously since about 1997 and is one of the founding Molefathers — along with Matt and Mark — that came up with the idea of a MTB website for Mole Valley riders.
He's had several different bikes but it's now mainly 29ers in Dave's stable, apart from an Orange 5.
Current Bikes: Orange 5, Salsa Spearfish and Kona Big Unit
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Dave says:
Actually this is now the 2nd bike spec. published this week of mine that’s wrong already!!
100mm Easton stem is now a 80mm On One stem. Initial feeling is that it’s much more responsive and flickable.
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Posted on July 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Rob says:
Grounding the pedals and going through your travel are quite possibly the result of the same thing – your shoch or it’s settings. Is it a problem when you have the pro pedal switched on ? stating the obviuos, but have you checked your sag setting with all your kit on includin gyour camelbak ?
PS..lose the mudguard and buy some proper bars !! 😉
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Posted on July 18, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Andrew says:
Dave
That reminds me, thanks for the advice on the shock blade this morning – always good to hear from a rider actually using the kit. I’ve fitted it and will use it tomorrow.
I’ll leave it to you to explain to Rob why you always ride with a mudguard.
Andrew
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Posted on July 18, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Rob says:
Just thought…..you might wanna speed up your rebound on the shock if you’re bottoming out on successive bumps/holes.
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Posted on July 18, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Dave says:
Yes, sag checked and reduced to about 10mm, still blow through the travel. TFTuned not surprised. Dave Farmer not surprised about pedal grounding either, it’s a low BB compared to all my other bikes. Rebound set fast.
Mudguard and bars are functional, sorry they intimidate you so much!
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Posted on July 18, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Rob says:
My pedal swere grounding out in Scotland but rarely in our Surrey countryside – it is a pain in the bum when it does happen though.
Can Tim retune your shock to improve matters ?
Don’t worry – I am not easily intimidated!
Just off now to put my shorts and top in the washing machine as I dont have crud guard!
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Posted on July 19, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Dave says:
lol….yes it was a bit like that even with guards. Dog Sh*t kept at bay though, that’s the main thing!
Yes, PUSH shim stack helps make compression progressive or a coil shock is supposed to help.
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Posted on July 20, 2009 at 6:45 am
Muddymoles says:
Intense Spider 29er – First ride
First impressions of the Intense Spider 29er, a 4 inch travel bike from the champions of VPP suspension and 29 inch wheels. Quite a combination.
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Posted on July 27, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Related: The tale of two mech hangers | Bikes | Muddymoles: Mountain biking (MTB) in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley