Orange P7s 29 Reynolds 525

[Dirt Tracker]

I know it's a fairly niche ask seeing as they aren't available in here but I was wondering what opinions people have on a 2018 version. 

 

I've got the chance to pick one up while I wait for my Cotic to come in Dec / January. 

 

Quite long chain stay and a 66.5 HA isn't exactly modern but it's a trail bike not a DH HT. 

 

https://geometrygeeks.bike/bike/orange-p7-29-2018/

 

[DieselnDust]

Thats a great bike. You may like it more than the Cotic.

Don't stress about the longer chainstays, they will help with climbing traction. The absolute shortest chainstay isn't necessarily better.

 

How did you acquire such a beauty?

[Dirt Tracker]

Thats a great bike. You may like it more than the Cotic.

Don't stress about the longer chainstays, they will help with climbing traction. The absolute shortest chainstay isn't necessarily better.

 

How did you acquire such a beauty?

 

Thanks for that. The reach looks good but was a bit worried about the chain stays as they were 430 in 2017 and bumped up for this model then dropped again to 430 in the 2019 / 2020 version. 

 

Friend working in the UK who has a friend who is selling and 1st friend has had enough of the UK and is coming back home and can carry a box for me. 

[Dirt Tracker]

and it's in Orange as well. Will need to look for a new fork as I've only got a 150mm coil at the moment. It's only recommended for a 130mm but think I could get away with 140mm. 

[RiverInTheRoad]

I might be keen to buy the Orange if the price is right. Frame or complete

[DR ◣◢]

Steel is very real. I would shred that any day of the week. 

 

With a 130/140mm fork it will super capable, good climber with the longer stays and also super stable on the descends 

[Dirt Tracker]

Have just told my boet to withdraw the money and pick it up on his way home this evening. 

[DR ◣◢]

Have just told my boet to withdraw the money and pick it up on his way home this evening. 

 

Tell me you have all the parts and tools to build it up tonight!!!

[Dirt Tracker]

Tell me you have all the parts and tools to build it up tonight!!!

Would like to be able to tell you that but it’s in the UK and I’ve got to wait a week for my friend to bring it over. Itching to get it here but now I realised that I don’t have any parts spare. Will need to start a ‘son of help me build a hard tail’ thread.

[Hairy]

And following

[DieselnDust]

and it's in Orange as well. Will need to look for a new fork as I've only got a 150mm coil at the moment. It's only recommended for a 130mm but think I could get away with 140mm. 

 

 

No don't try that with a steel frame. ask them what the maximum axle to crown length is and stick to that religiously. Steel frames have a lot less weld area to hold them together so less forgiving of over stressing

[Hairy]

No don't try that with a steel frame. ask them what the maximum axle to crown length is and stick to that religiously. Steel frames have a lot less weld area to hold them together so less forgiving of over stressing

damned engineers with their practical advice

[Jewbacca]

While I agree with the advice, I don't think you will struggle with a 10mm difference.

 

Especially as you will likely sit in the sag.

 

The difference in Axle to crown will be maybe 7mm, and forks of different models vary far more than that in 'same travel' variances.

 

If there is an axle to crown actual measurement then check that, but if it says 'max 130mm' then it is likely going to be more than capable of withstanding a 140mm without failure.

 

There would definitely me some over engineered tolerances built into the front end.

 

But that aside, I feel a 130mm rowdy 29er hardtail is a sweet spot...... 

[Dirt Tracker]

While I agree with the advice, I don't think you will struggle with a 10mm difference.

 

Especially as you will likely sit in the sag.

 

The difference in Axle to crown will be maybe 7mm, and forks of different models vary far more than that in 'same travel' variances.

 

If there is an axle to crown actual measurement then check that, but if it says 'max 130mm' then it is likely going to be more than capable of withstanding a 140mm without failure.

 

There would definitely me some over engineered tolerances built into the front end.

 

But that aside, I feel a 130mm rowdy 29er hardtail is a sweet spot......

Good thoughts. I’ve been hunting about for a pike or an MRP stage but all of a sudden they all seem to have disappeared. I’ve never really ridden Fox 34s so not sure how they feel.

 

I think I would like to go with a pike as I know them and find them to be a great all round fork.It is a shame you can’t adjust them without different shafts. I would like tostick at 140 I think. Most of my best bikes have had that on the front and I feel it’s a good amount in travel once you take into account the sag and I try to run a little deeper in t travel but with a big ramp up.

 

Need to find a hope headset and seat clamp. Just feel that British Hardtails should have that as standard issue.

 

Brakes will have to think about. Curas would be first choice but finances might be what I can find.

 

Steering idealy would be Renthal Carbon with stem. I have a spare Renthal aluminum but that will be too stiff. So I’ll go see Dale and get some Lyne bars, stem and droppers.

 

Wheels are always an issue. It is a blind spot for me I never really know if I can tell a difference to be honest. It’s a hard tail so something robust, wide and reliable. I would really love to have the money to push the boat out and rest some of the ‘lifetime’ warranties offered & free replacements with some carbon manufacturers. Will probably end up with some flows or WTBs or maybe even Lyne. All with a cushcore.

 

It can take 27.5+ but I’ve no experience riding plus tyres and how that would work on our trails.

 

Group set? Anything reliable. Slx / Xt mix would be best. I have never really been able to get on with SRAMs cheaper groupsets.

Edited August 9, 2020 by Dirt Tracker

[Jewbacca]

https://www.custombikes.co.za/

 

These guys are the local Hope agents. I really like the Spank rims they do too. I have some Oozy trail 345's and they have been flawless.

 

WTB i29 are also a good option from them.

 

IMHO you won't go wrong with Lyne. Dropper, wheels and cockpit.... I'm pretty sure Dayle will sort you out with some top notch pricing if you went all in.

 

RE fork.... So my experience with forks is that I'm not really good enough to tell the difference. I had a Kashima factory 34 which I always felt had a better negative chamber so I felt 'smoother' and more connected, while the Pike always felt like it was hungry for big hits.

 

To be honest I prefer the feel of Fox but wouldn't be too picky. 

 

Stoppers are the big one.... Evo bikes had a set of Shimano deore 4 pots for 3k. If I wanted good stoppers on a budget I would get those. I've also seen a few Guide sets in the classifieds for less than that.

 

I've been tempted to try the Box wide range 9 speed kit on the winter bike. That or run 10 speed with a 28 tooth up front and buy all the old 11-36 cassettes for cheap. A winter/trail bike doesn't need the top end speed so why not?

 

Its going to be an awesome bike to ride. 

[Hairy]

https://www.custombikes.co.za/

 

These guys are the local Hope agents. I really like the Spank rims they do too. I have some Oozy trail 345's and they have been flawless.

 

WTB i29 are also a good option from them.

 

IMHO you won't go wrong with Lyne. Dropper, wheels and cockpit.... I'm pretty sure Dayle will sort you out with some top notch pricing if you went all in.

 

RE fork.... So my experience with forks is that I'm not really good enough to tell the difference. I had a Kashima factory 34 which I always felt had a better negative chamber so I felt 'smoother' and more connected, while the Pike always felt like it was hungry for big hits.

 

To be honest I prefer the feel of Fox but wouldn't be too picky. 

 

Stoppers are the big one.... Evo bikes had a set of Shimano deore 4 pots for 3k. If I wanted good stoppers on a budget I would get those. I've also seen a few Guide sets in the classifieds for less than that.

 

I've been tempted to try the Box wide range 9 speed kit on the winter bike. That or run 10 speed with a 28 tooth up front and buy all the old 11-36 cassettes for cheap. A winter/trail bike doesn't need the top end speed so why not?

 

Its going to be an awesome bike to ride. 

28t ........... back in the day we used to ride 15.5kg 160mm travel bikes with DH tyres and coil forks up table mountain on 32t chain rings and 9spd 11-36t cassettes ..... don't be a softy!

 

disclaimer, not a chance in hell I would do that now though since discovering the joys of an e-thirteen 9-46t cassette!