this bike is the sh*t, it will take anything you throw at it and it comes back for more. This fram is possibly one of the strongest DH frames availiable, and for its price, also keeping in mind they are handbuilt...very happy with this bike, i reccommend it to anyone serious about downhilling
Bike Setup: 01 Boxxer races 6" , Fox Vanilla RC 6", mavic 321's , Maxxis Minion 2.5's fron and rear, Liquid cromolly cranks and Chain Device, Shimano 105 running gear ( road racer gear, lighter plus higher gearing for more speed on fast sections) Profile racing bars, hoffman bikes BMX stem (very strong) Armour hydro's 7" rotors, Velo saddle, raceface seat post, lightweight XT chain ring (its behind a bash guard, so who cares)
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Submitted by
Jake Stacey
a Downhiller
from London, UK
This frame was purchased to replace a Big Hit DH. The Big Hit was, IMHO, too 'wallowy' and had too much travel for me, so I decided to change. Having had a multi-pivot bike, I decided a single-pivot would be an interesting counterpoint.
After finally finding the right frame (thanks Chris!), I set about building it up.
My choice of components was to reflect the longevity I hoped would be a hallmark of this frame - I tried not to skimp, but went for durability over light weight. Still pimpy though!
One slight annoyance is the use of internal cable routing. I agree it enhances the lines of the bike, but it just adds to the jobs a rider has to do when working on the drivetrain. A minor niggle though!
My initial impression was that the bike was not giving the full travel. Compared to the wallow of the Big Hit, the Patriot felt taut. It was only as I realised I could maintain the (admittedly lardy) pace that I had on the BH, and get more air, that I twigged the frame was working under me. It gave me the confidence to hit a drop I've been eyeing for ages in a quarry, and flies really predictably in the air - the BH was a little 'rear heavy', although that could have been the huge tyre.
One problem is that due to the huge 'mono box' construction, the frame enhances any trail noise and creaks - something that riders should be aware of to prevent any nasty creaks going unheeded.
It accelerates really well - I've not yet experienced brake 'jack' or drivetrain induced suspension movement. It currently feels slightly unbalanced - the rebound on the Junior T's is too slow, and they have too much travel for the frame, so I've got to do some fettling on that front.
All in all, however, I am happy. I'm looking forward to really thrashing the bike, and fiddling with the suspension. I need a new drivetrain now, because the LX rear mech fell apart for the third time, but otherwise I feel I have built a durable, reasonably lightweight all-round bike.
Submitted by
Rich Cornwell
a Downhiller
from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003
Strengths: Chuckable, great handling, light, looks cool, can do anything
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazing! It's soo chuckable, the handling is great and it gives you bags of confidence, i was riding quicker and better first time out. Its also light and climbs really well. Looks dam cool as well! Very impressive bike indeed. And its handbuilt in England. If you want to put a smile on your face, buy one of these.
Weaknesses: None found so far, but the internally routed cables are a pig to thread through...
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my original review, which has since dissapeared...
This is a review for the Patriot LT.
What can I say about this bike? The framest, shock and forks are now almost 3 years old, and have given me nothing but flawless performance. I'm not the smooothest of riders, but do like to push it here and there, and this rig has never - I mean never - let me down. Only now do I have to replace the pivot bearings, as I crushed the driveside one last weekend. That is going to cost me 15 pounds, about 28 US$. $28 for 3 years of riding - not bad.
Frame design: The single pivot set up really is the way to go I think. The stiffness of the back end has to be felt to be believed. Ultra-low maintenace, top performance. I live in the North-West of England, and for those of you that don't know, that means MUD MUD MUD. Two Sealed cartridge bearings, that's it. OK, so it might not look as cool as an M1, but who cares, you dont have to spend upwards of 100 bucks to replace all the bushings every year...
Finish: The expoy resin that they paint these things with is crazy, it just refuses to budge. OK, so I have a few scrapes here and there, but the finish looks as new. The quality of the welds on this frame are second to none, even, clean and smooth.
Performance: I get 6 inches at the back, which is enough for the UK. Due to the bearing pivots, my bike gets 4-5mm of sag under it's own weight! Super plush, bottomless feel all the time. No pedal bob or lockout, and no feedback through the rear brake.
The bottom line: Well, I'm picky, and appreciate good engineering, and my bike has to ride EXACTLY how I want it to. I can honestly say, I will ride this bike until it breaks, and then I'll get another Patriot. It really is that good. I see no reason to upgrade, it does everything I want it to, and will take me as high/fast/far as I need it to. If anyone from Orange is reading this, give yourself a pat on the back, this bike rocks!
Similar Products Used: FSR, Coyote DH2 (my mates, tried it, liked it), Sintessi Bazooka, BMW supertrucker (Jed the Head let me ride his, v good), 3 spooky metalheads (snapped them all), various other bikes here and there.
Bike Setup: '00 Monster T's, Fox vanilla RC twin clicker, 24" halo's, Hope M4's, 3pc steel cranks, home made bits (chain device, cable guides ect)
Strengths: Rides real nice its light (well not bad at 36lb, depends on components obviously)has bombproof build quality and looks pretty damn fine to boot.
Weaknesses: Noisey, which isnt a problem. The only complaint isnt product related but supply which i feel that for those buying new should know. Orange have well publicised problems in getting the frame to the custoner in that due to the extreme popularity or the patriot has caused a backlog in orders...bah mine took 5 months to get to me..All is forgiven but if u want the bike yesterday it aint gonna happen.
Bottom Line:
Its just too good, its light enough to throw around & quick to sprint with. Gives u plenty of confidence to try stuff u havnt done b4 and is bombproof..what more do ya want, a drinks holder?????
The frame its self is simply excelent i wouldnt advise anybody against buying this product it has to potential to do whatever u ask of it....with a light enough build u can get away with long xc hacks or turn it to its true destiny as a DH beast. Ive got mine set out as a DH laydee but have chosen to stick to 3 rings up front, i prefer to ride rather than walk, even uphill.
Strengths: Found the lt patriot to be very stiff and an excellent all round full 'sus'. Good price aswell for the quality you get, hand made in Halifax so at least it's easy to communicate with Orange should any problems arise.Pedals pretty well even though my bike weighs in at 48lb!!!
Weaknesses: Noisy rear end, off putting at first. Pity the decals are laquered but thats a minor niggle.
Bottom Line:
For the money you cannot really fault this frame, a couple of minor niggles but overall money well spent. If you like all sorts of riding then you can't go wrong with this, whether it's downhilling, freeride, or even minor x-c ( depending on the setup ) then this is the bike for you.
Similar Products Used: Gt Lts , Kona stinky, Giant atx 1.
Bike Setup: LT frame, monster T's, 521's, hope big un's,intense tires, raceface lp's, 24/7 pedals, 24/7 40mm stem, 24/7 chro-mo bars, hope enduro discs, black spire chain device.
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Submitted by
Carlos F
a
from La Habra, Ca, Orange County
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2002
Strengths: Construction- Fell of my car on I-5 freeway at 60mph trying to avoid an accident. Nothing happen to it. I had to replace the r. derailluer hanger and the saddle. The handbuilt wheels did not even go out of true. They were built by the Bike Company guys, They were awesome and really down to earth. The bike is stiff and climbs awesome. It is pretty light for a 6 inch travel bike.
Weaknesses: I have not found any yet.
Bottom Line:
It is an Awesome riding Bike. And it is amazingly durable. I recommend it to anybody looking a great all around trail bike.
Strengths: The frame is excellent it is very strong and I have had no problems with it. It feels very stiff and very responsive. and with 6 " its a good bike to ride.
Weaknesses: none really. Excepet i cured the noisy back end by turning the shock other way up. try it it comes so much plusher.
Bottom Line:
great bike. If ur pondering about doing 6 ft drops dont, the patriot LT can handle it i have done 6' drops on mine and it just bottoms out but its nothing much. If you are thinking about getting a new bike get this. It sprints well, jumps well and does everything bloody well!!. Its the best bike i can think of for this price.
Similar Products Used: GT xcr 1000, GT lts dh and 1000, trek vrx, giant atx 1, Specialized fsr
Bike Setup: Z1 mcr, sram, LX azonic all over, dmr
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Submitted by
Guy Harrington
a Downhiller
from Derbyshire
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
Strengths: Does not bob going down the street. It is so good.
Weaknesses: Why have this box when there are non!!!!!!!!!!!
Bottom Line:
A really good bike, when you pedal your fastest down the street it does not bob at all. Buy one now before its too late. I just have, I will write a full review when its built up in a few weeks. If you wanna a wicked bike that can cope anything get one of these beasts. I agree totally with the review below.
Similar Products Used: Intense M1, Tomac, Giant AC team.
Bike Setup: Manitou, Avid, LX
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Submitted by
John Thompson
a Weekend Warrior
from Madrid, Spain
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2000
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: Absolutely none
Bottom Line:
I wrote a couple of pages about this bike last week, and 'cos I mucked up with my E-mail address it didn't get posted.
This time I'll keep it shorter.
The bike is fantastic, marvellous, perfect, wonderful, I love it to bits and pieces and I wouldn't swap it for any other bike that exists today.
Is that clear?
It sprints too well for a bike that has so much travel (13-15cm adjustable... I run 13), it eats the bumps too well for a bike that has so little travel (the competition usually turn up with 18cm or more), it tracks so well you stop worrying about roots and ruts and other now forgotten obstacles.
It's nimble without being sketchy, it's not heavy, it's handsome (OK, my wife thinks it's the most ugly bike she's ever seen... she's got a Trek Y22), and it's absolutely bloody bulletproof.
Buy one NOW. Forget about longer travel, forget about more famous makes, forget about food or rent and other non-essentials and just get yourself a Patriot before next weekend.
It's not cheap but chr*st is it worth it!!
Just do one thing. If you buy the bike built up, get the shop to fit a longer travel twin crown fork, something like a Marzocchi or an X-Vert DC, they suit the bike better than the single crown 105mm X-Vert fitted by the factory.
Love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it.
