29'ers have finally come of age. We reckon Orange might just have hit the Trail-Bike sweet spot here. Long, slack and low geometry with 140/135mm travel, for confident, stable handlling and superb composure over the big stuff.
We were lucky enough to get a couple of months riding time on this bike before it's release and can confirm that it's one of the best all round bikes we've ever ridden! The Stage 5 is equally at home riding big days on rocky trails in the Peaks, steep, muddy "off-piste" chutes, or flowing woodland singletrack.
The LE (Launch Edition) comes equipped with a real wishlist spec of componentry. The Fox 36 fork Float X2 shock are possibly the best dampers on the market today, while their new Transfer dropper post takes the legendary reliability of their old DOSS post and brings it bang up to date. Hope supply the cranks, chainring, hubs, headset and brakes - UK made kit for UK riding conditions. Renthal bars, stem and grips do the steering and Shimano XT handles shifting duties. It's even got our favourite Maxxis tyres on there!
In short, we bloody love this bike, it's destined to become a classic! Anyway, enough of our waffle, here's what Orange say...
Forget everything you thought you knew about 29" wheel bikes: the Stage 5 is here. Designed to go further and faster whatever the terrain, this bike signals a new generation of trail-loving 29ers where nothing’s off limits and everything goes.
Big wheels and a super-efficient pivot position help transfer more of your energy straight into the trail – great for carrying speed and tackling epics. Meanwhile, the Stage’s frameset geometry is slack enough for the steeps and long enough for superb stability, not to mention the chance to reap the handling rewards of running a short stem. A sweet spot of 140/135 travel helps flatten even the roughest rock gardens too – perfect for pace, comfort and efficiency.
With 148mm Boost rear spacing, internal dropper routing and a 5-year warranty on its handmade frame, the Stage 5 is bang up to date and reassuringly future-proof. Make no mistake: in any of its guises this is one seriously versatile bike with an audaciously bold intention.