T-Bob Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 So, I've got a problem and it's a good problem but a problem none the less. I'm overseas at the moment and a friend offered me a 2015 Orange Five 650b frame, RS Monarch Plus with headset, BB and a Pike that I obviously jumped at straight away. My previous Orange Five a good few years back was a 26'r and was just awesome. I haven't got any other kit to build it up with just yet and was thinking of doing it over time when I could afford it. Only problem is that for the same money I've also seen: - 2016 Mondraker Vantage hard tail with full XT 1x, Reverb dropper, 140 mm Yari, DT Swiss spline... a full bike with an evoc tavel bag thrown in. Brand new custom build. - 2015 Norco Range 7.4 Carbon frame with Deore, Inferno rims, external Reverb dropper an X-Fusion160mm Sweep up front and a X-Fusion 2R With AV air sleeve at the back. Deore brakes, Raceface chester crank. 2 x 10. Before I came over I was looking at building up a hard tail AM bike with a 150 on the front and the whole Mondraker forward geometry thing looks like fun and would be a good 'other' bike to my Transition Smuggler. The Five is a legendary bike, single pivot fun, comes with a pike and a RS with the piggy back but I don't have the kit to build it up right now (or for good while) and have they kept up with the times? The Norco Range 7.4. Carbon at a bargain price, slack, 160mm each end. Lower end kit base model and quite a few different reviews ranging from Bible of bike '15 loving it to BikeRadar and others saying it's heavy and doesn't ave that zing. Also it's a Large frame. I'm 5'9 and on forums etc people can't decide if that height is ideal for a M or a Large. Norco don't have guide but it's supposed to be a small frame'd bike with 6'1 guys on XL's.So... basically it's a very good decision to have but the options are so good I'm totally, totally confused!!!
ALLMTB Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 My choice would be the Orange.Seeing as none of those brands have local support (correct me if I a wrong) the Orange seems like the bike that requires the least maintenance, single pivot goodness and tough as nails. I have read mixed reviews on the Norco Range, and if possible I would rather go for the Alu version with better spec than the carbon version with low spec. The Mondraker seems great with the forward geo and great spec, but how long till you decide/realize its time for a fullsus rather than a HT... Just my opinion..
T-Bob Posted November 28, 2016 Author Posted November 28, 2016 Just my opinion.. Good call. I've got a dual sus' already so that is partly the thinking on the Mondraker but an Orange is an orange. Funnily enough before I came over I saw an Alu Range on a UK site on clearance but missed out on it. It was pretty much that frame that started me thinking of adding another bike to the shed as I have a brand new Mattoc that hasn't got anything to go on. That may be redundant now with all these options.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 Love the orange, but it's the older one with the older geo afaik. Norco is a KILLER bike. Still quite short by modern geo standards and will be reflected in the frame sizing. That Mondraker though.....joh joh joh. Personally, that's what I'd get if I already had the tranny
Skott5 Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 I would go for the Norco, if it was my choice.
Hairy Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 Soooo.... If you are keeping the Smuggler I would go with the HT Mondraker. The Smuggler is AM enough for CT, and the Mondraker is a HT that can brawl it out with other AM bikes........except the back end will get thrown around a bit. How about putting that Mattoc of yours to good use on a steel On One 456? With the 456 running ISG tabs, you can get a very nice SS set up (Can send you picks of how my On One Summer Season turned out running SS .... and the cranks would spin foorrrreeevvaaa backwards, very little friction with the set up, and easy to remove the rear wheel when needed) if you want to save some money on the drive train for now. You can get that 456 while you are in the UK or through RYAN here on the hub. http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO45650B/on-one-45650b-framehttp://d2plslj6xljffa.cloudfront.net/imgs/products/oo/400_constH/FROO45650B_P1.jpg High end Duallie and a robust and reliable HT for the win.....now I just need a new HT too ...
Odinson Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 Mondraker. You've already got the Tranny, so head for the muddy hills and let 'er rip.
Piston ZA Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 I would also go for the Mondraker, especially since you were looking for a HT, and you have the Tranny
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 Mondraker. Not an opportunity to push on one. And it's a full bike.
T-Bob Posted November 28, 2016 Author Posted November 28, 2016 You can get that 456 while you are in the UK or through RYAN here on the hub. http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO45650B/on-one-45650b-frame High end Duallie and a robust and reliable HT for the win.....now I just need a new HT too ... No man, I don't need MORE options. I'm flat out not looking at the video or the link. EDIT: Fark, I looked. That is peanuts for a frame! It's not going on the list tho... it just can't.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 28, 2016 Posted November 28, 2016 Why don't you just buy Iwan's Mercer?8000 for frame only vs 20 for full bike.
T-Bob Posted November 28, 2016 Author Posted November 28, 2016 Why don't you just buy Iwan's Mercer? It's a Large and I'm a Medium. Plus I'm not back in SA until after Xmas so I imagine it'll be well gone by then. Great looking bike and couldn't believe it was a L.
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