Submitted by
casestudy26
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2010
Strengths: I tried out a friends P7 before buying mine used. I had Norco prior to the P7. I was impressed with the rigidity and handling at speed. I fell off a few years ago - nearly broke my collarbone. Took me a while to sum up the courage to return to the bike. Glad I did.
I get loads of compliments on the frame - Northshore riders have some amazing kit so it takes something special to get their attention.
Weaknesses: The paint work (Nickel plating) is on its last legs. But granted, that is after nearly 15yrs of hard riding.
Bottom Line:
A mate of mine met the founder of Orange bikes in a pub a few years ago. He stated that once the frame had been perfected there was not much else to do, it was then all down to the quality of forks you put on the bike. The P7 is perfect!
Similar Products Used: Tried other hardtails. The orange is very stiff and responsive.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi bomber forks. XTR/XT components. Just recently put a carbon bar on the baby. V.nice!
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Submitted by
Jack ED
a Cross Country Rider
from Wiltshire, England
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2009
Strengths: with an almost dialled geometry lets you feel the trail rolling under you which is very confidence inspiring. This makes for an ideal first bike for someone new to mountain bikeing or a laid back XC bike for anyone who wants to get out there and have a hassle free ride!
Weaknesses: Nothing that I’ve found ride wise. the steel frame and age of the bike has led to a few spots of rust, one of which is about the size of a penny, but with a bit of care this isn't an issue!
Bottom Line:
A proper XC bike! What the p7 doesn't have in overly fancy, or bling or exotic frame design it makes up for in a lovely geometry and feel! the P7 just screams "ride me"
Similar Products Used: Carrera vaulcan. GT aggressor
Bike Setup: XT Crankset, X0 front + rear mech, X0 shifter, Alexrims dp17 wheels, Rockshox Reba race fork, Pace xc stem, Control Tech bars and seat post!
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Submitted by
Prof3550R
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, UK
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2009
Strengths: Flexible but strong 21" Nickel plated frame, STX-RC chainset
Weaknesses: STX-RC 3 ring shifter, Orange wheels.
Bottom Line:
Now apparently a "retro" classic, this bike gets the cogniscentii drooling. It still works like it did when I bought it and it's not had an easy life - I'm around 100kg/220lbs and throw it off drops and kerbs routinely. Only a BIG crash (looped it) caused a head race bearing to go oval.
The STX-RC 3 ring shifter packed up ages ago and I replaced it - with LX (?) which is still going strong.
The wheels wore pretty quickly due to grit and sand/brake, and cracks around the spokes finished them off. Fitted some lovely Mavics a couple of years back.
Otherwise still largely stock (Specialized saddle)
;-)
Submitted by
redmallard8
a Cross Country Rider
from uk
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2009
Strengths: Strength, weight, lively ride, looks.
Weaknesses: none... my bike is now over thirteen years old. I have replaced parts as they have worn and it has never let me down. MBR reviewed it again April 2009... and still rate it as one of the best!
Bottom Line:
if you want a bike that is fantastic to ride and lasts the passage of time this is the one!
Similar Products Used: clockwork orange prior to P7
Bike Setup: [ originally 1996 ] 8 speed xt group set with xtr v-brakes, titanium stem and pace rc36 forks, flight titanium saddle, mavic sup rims and 747 spds
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Submitted by
plussa
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2009
Strengths: Excellent handling, excellent geometry, a classic bike from a legendary British brand
Weaknesses: Awkward sliding dropout system not the best out there. Chaintugs would be better.
Bottom Line:
The bike is just so fun to ride, especially SS. Feels strong and agile, with a slight springy feel when pushed hard. Got to agree with all the positive magazine reviews out there. Sold my 5" full sus frame because of this.
Remember to use loctite and torque wrench when adjusting the dropouts. Tip: Use carbon fiber assembly compound between the frame and dropout to reduce the risk of slippage. 180 cranks are a must for long-legged riders when riding SS!
Thanks to Orange bikes for good service with dropout issues!
Submitted by
tim oates
a Cross Country Rider
from cambridge - flat flat flat
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008
Strengths: Integrity....no other word for it. Careful design on every element - and not just a 'single monomaniac philosophy this is the way it's going to be' careful design - each aspect of the frame thought through and delivered - this is like the bontrager racelite, but in a high production volume frame. Bulletproof. Flexy like only thin guage steel can be - soft in the right directions so you don't get beaten up - stiff in the other directions so you feel the power being transmitted. I've got full suspension rigs, titanium hardtail, beat-you-up Klein, but I have enjoyed the C16R and P7 steel oranges the most. Like the guys above say, on a matter of gut-instinct preference, the smile from your boots glee factor comes with the oranges - which says something for the people who designed this frame. Who should buy this bike? Well the old 1" headset 1995 frame I have is a sought after classic - any one with sense should grab one on ebay while you can....
Weaknesses: er... er... sun off the nickel plating blinds me occasionally?
Bottom Line:
They take the s**t and just keep going and all the time with a smile on your face...this is handbuilt quality from an off the peg bike. Nice.
Similar Products Used: bontrager racelite xtr throughout (but I keep this for sunny days); C16R Orange. Marin Team steel (with the amazingly long top tube 58cm in 15" - wonderful)
Bike Setup: At the moment, the c16r has rockshock judy's (gold retro), porcs and XT LX mix, but the two P7s I have are fitted for training on the road - synchros seatpins, control tech stems, mavic rims, xt, 1" specialised slicks, avocet titanium saddles, orange alloy rigid forks (nice dropouts) - and I keep up with the road boys easily....
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Submitted by
Leonard Therioux
a Weekend Warrior
from Calais, France
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2008
Strengths: Strong, lite and well/good welded. Modern geometry.
Weaknesses: Not so much.
Bottom Line:
Very good riding bike. Quick to steer and good wehn terrian is rough/bumpy as it gives much comfort. Use mostly for long tours and mny trips in mountians. For the $ it`s a excellent frame. Must build right to make ride well.I have only own one frame better (Fat Chance). Don`t understand other review about moving parts when brakes applied?? I give 5 chillis to P7.
Similar Products Used: Trek 990,Fat Chance Yo eddy!(the best frame ever), Marin Pine mountian, many alloy hardtail
Bike Setup: All shimano XTs and have magura fork on biycyle. made from frame up.
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Submitted by
Rupert Greeves
a Cross Country Rider
from Devon
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2008
Strengths: Good component spec. Excellent forks.
Weaknesses: Frame design
Bottom Line:
Great parts fitted on a cheapo frame. Clear design issues with the sliding dropout. I ended up being offered a refund because Orange couldn't stop the dropout moving when the rear brake was applied. I wouldn't buy orange again after my experience with their customer service department.
Submitted by
Borislav Dopudja
a Cross Country Rider
from Dugo Selo, Croatia
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2005
Strengths: Stif, Wiggllity on DH, nuclear blast strong, versatile.
Weaknesses: None really, except I am little afrad that it will rust;) but don't worry, CrMo is rusts werry slowly.
Bottom Line:
I have bought frame only, but afterwards have put on a Vanilla RLC 2005.
Steel frames are really interesting. It is funny that everybody I meet wants my Old Shool steel bike:) I have been riding aluminum frame for a long time, and selected steel because I wanted some change. And this change was good. P7 frame is strong, and stiff, and in the same time it is wigilly :) Fantastic. When I ride it on my road setup (slicks), it even on 5bar on 1,75 tyre soaks up bumps. Aluminum bike was not. With same setup, and seat, I was returning home with sore arse, and hurt in my backs. Now everything is ok.
On the same side, the frame is suprisingly stiff. You don't lose any og the power you put in, but when you are hitting downhill, it seems like you have a sfottail.
Werry good frame / bike. Buy it.
Vanilla is also Orgasmic. :) (Thanks Ales from www.maraton.si (Slovenia) for that.
Bike Setup: P7 frame, FOX Vanilla RLC 2005, Hayes HFX HD front, XR rear, Saint, Mavic, Sram, Fsa, etc...
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Submitted by
Brian McCulloxh
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2005
Strengths: A springy no-nonsense British bruiser! I went full suspension for two years but found myself constantly reaching for the P7 when riding. The gears were thrown away a couple of winters back and I now single-speed it. My P7 has been thrashed around the local trails winter and summer, raced, been to South Wales, Brecon, Wye valley, F.O.D and The North Downs etc. It is my second P7 and I am still very happy with it. Do you want a bike that feels like a friend? This is the kiddie! The frame soaks up far more trail obstacles than you might realise – the property of a well thought out piece of steelwork. If you stick good kit on it you, can get it down to very decent weight without sacrificing strength. Think Middleburn, DMR, Hope, Thomson etc. Stick some good forks on it and whopping discs, a good headset and off you go. Orange offer a great 'upgrade' facility on new bikes and it is well worth checking out. You get the ability to spec the bike more precisely, added to which is a good local shop who will buy back or swap out equipment for you.
Weaknesses: To be honest the biggest problem is my mates getting all panicky as I get fitter by the minute and kill them on the trails! The only niggle was the seat post needing a shim because of the odd seat tube diameter. I bought a 'tough enough' Selcof seatpost (huge range of sizes) and this sorted the problem relatively cheaply.
Bottom Line:
I guess all bikes are essentially two wheels, with some metalwork and rubber to get them going. My goal has always been to build something that just feels like a sweet extension of the body. I think my current P7 is just such a bike - it really is a very happy relationship whenever I swing a leg over it. Anyway, the sun is fighting to come out again and I have a friend I want to take up the trails. She is silver and black with two wheels, a handlebar and a bell. I think we may have some fun up the woods later! Oh and don’t try and pass us unless you are very very good, you may get your fancy ass kicked on those hills!
Similar Products Used: Marin EastPeak Orange 5 Pro various Specialized various Cannondale Whyte Sunn Giant XTC Pace Orange sub Zero
Bike Setup: Singlespeed, short Thomson stem, Middleburn square taper 180mm cranks, Hope M4 up front, mono mini rear, DMR revolver singlespeed hub (man it's strong!) White Industries thread on freewheel (super sealed and mud-proof), good wide Azonic bars, Fox Floats .. like I say .. nothing super light but all proving to be very strong kit. If you have had lightweight kit fail horribly - you will appreciate this weight vs strength compromise!
Weaknesses: Nickel-finish comes off a bit easily, the much-bemoaned 1" headset, the fact that the bike is fitter and stronger than I and makes me do stuff I shouldn't...
Bottom Line:
I bought it very cheaply from a colleague and have altered a few bits to make it into a MTB that suits me. I must admit that I haven't had the bike for very long, but I've ridden it enough to know that it handles very well indeed, even with the 80mm forks that are slightly too long for it. The frame is very compliant in the the right places, but still snaps forwards under acceleration. If you're looking for a bike that will outlive you, think titanium is too hyped and aren't looking for ridiculously fat aluminium tubes, buy a P7: they still make 'em! (As a side-note: Why do people ride aluminium bikes when steel of this quality is available? Wake up big-bike-companies! We want bikes made of iron and stuff!)
Submitted by
richard
a Cross Country Rider
from cumbria
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Strengths: Strength, weight, lively ride, looks.
Weaknesses: 1 inch headtube - the only problem at all. Means its difficult to upgrade things at the front end.
Bottom Line:
The whole thing is 23lb and very reliable. Climbs like nothing I've ever ridden and feels indestructible on the way down. Makes you feel and go like a much better rider. It handles a longish fork without problem. The frame is so springy and lively yet neutral and firm. When riding technical trails, the bike seems to disappear and one doesn't point the bike, but just look at ones lines. instinctive riding. the only bike i've ridden that came close was a fat chance yo eddy. Not just good value, but surely one of the best steel frames ever built at any price.
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Kendal, Cumbria
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001
Strengths: Strong, slender steel frame makes for excellent sprinting and reliable trail handling. High quality build with responsive frame geometry.
Great for XC trail-riding and for longer touring on and off-road. Great flexibility with set-up, and unlike other manufacturers, the focus on reliable components is a real plus-point.
The P7 stands as a model for XC biking, and for the steel-frame.
Weaknesses: Original 1996 nickel coating showed signs of rust in only two years. However, I took it back to the BikeTreks and they sent it to Orange for a new paint-job - so, now it's a rather tasty cherry colour. No other problems.
Bottom Line:
Dependable, exciting XC ride, with real style and loveability. I wouldn't swap mine.
It's a shame that high quality steel frames like the P7 have fallen from favour, with the market obsession with aluminium. A real class ride.
Similar Products Used: I have tried all sorts of hard-tails from Cannondale, GT, Marin, Specialized and Trek, but have never found anything to match my trusty P7.
Bike Setup: XT F/R Mechs - XT 8 speed chainset and cassette (on XT BB) -LX Hubs on Mavic X517 SUP Rims - 1996 Pace RC35 MXCD Suspension Forks - XT V Brakes - Original Orange Hot Rod handlebars - Control Tech Stem (1" threaded type) with LX headset.
Upgraded from original LX chainset just recently and looking to replace wheels with XT or Hope hubs. Also swapped the original Ritchey saddle for a Specialized body geometry one - to save my love-life!
Strengths: Now I've upgraded a few parts it is V light considering its based on a steel frame. Has a wicked feel to it which begs you to go faster, esp on forest singletrack. Backend is very flickable. Has a little bit of 'give' that the ally frames don't.
Weaknesses: 1" headset was a pain when it came to upgrading forks. Seat-tube is an odd size too. had to use spacers with some posts. Haven't checked to see if they've rectified this though with the new models. New one's also have rear disc mount.
Bottom Line:
My brother first had one of these a few years before I got mine. I was well Impressed and told myself never to miss an oppertunity to get one if I could. I have never regretted getting mine in mid 99. It originally had pace RC36 forks but a LARGE wipeout was the excuse for an upgrade. With the airforce forks and the front disc brake fitted I found myself going even quicker. The P7 inspires confidence because it gives great feed back whatever I run it with, either semi-slicks or my usual 'raptors. I have always felt that the bike makes the most of me. As a newcomer to XC and trail riding I found the bike very forgiving and quite able to take alot of abuse/neglect. I rate the P7 very highly as now I feel my riding skills have progressed and I have upgraded alot of the cycleparts, I am still going quicker. This is obviosly a bike for newcomers and experienced riders alike. One of the best hardtails I'd have to say!
