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Submitted by
tim oates
a Cross Country Rider
from cambridge - flat flat flat
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | south downs | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 500 | | 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? | | 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.... | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonard Therioux
a Weekend Warrior
from Calais, France
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Strong, lite and well/good welded. Modern geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Not so much. | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rupert Greeves
a Cross Country Rider
from Devon
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Simply the bike, Torquay | | Strengths: | Good component spec. Excellent forks. | | Weaknesses: | Frame design | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjupmper | | Bike Setup: | XC | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Borislav Dopudja
a Cross Country Rider
from Dugo Selo, Croatia
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | www.maraton.si | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Many rigid and FS bikes. | | Bike Setup: | P7 frame, FOX Vanilla RLC 2005, Hayes HFX HD front, XR rear, Saint, Mavic, Sram, Fsa, etc... | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian McCulloxh
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Local trauils for local people | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Bristol | | 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. | | 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! | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George The Goblin
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ruislip Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd Hand | | Strengths: | Incredible handling, lightning acceleration, zingy steel ride, gorgeous bright Orange stickers of nickel-finish frame. | | 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... | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cinder Cone, Kona Hahanna, Merlin cromo | | Bike Setup: | 96 P7 frame, 2002 Marzocchi MXC ECC forks, XT 8spd groupset, X517 front D521 rear, IRC Mythos XC tyres | | 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!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richard
a Cross Country Rider
from cumbria
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere in the south lakes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | biketreks, ambleside | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | many many steel and aluminium hardtails, including three other Oranges. | | Bike Setup: | Nickel 19 inch frame. RockShox carbon judys (80mm travel), XTR throughout except for Gripshift Xrays. Hope hubs, USE suspension setapost, IRC Mythos tyres, XT SPDs, Middleburn cranks, Azonic low rise bars and control tech stem, flite.
| | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james marchant
a Downhiller
from kent
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porc | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | wildside | | Strengths: | its soo strong i brought mine in 99' as a rigid then put some z4s on it and raced in the hardtail class at downhill
that how strong it is | | Weaknesses: | none whatsoever | | Similar Products Used: | many steel and aluminium bikes | | Bike Setup: | hope minis f&r z4 airs goldtec rings etc 24" wheels dmr bars etc... | | Bottom Line: | it was built for xc, i use it for street/downhill, and still i shows no signs of breaking | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Kendal, Cumbria
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Lake District! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeTreks - Ambleside, Cumbria | | 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. | | 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! | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Essex
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Salisbury Plain Challenge!! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | '98 Marin Nail Trail
| | Bike Setup: | 2000 Pace RC38 Airforce, 8spd XT shifters, LX front mech-XT rear, XT 4-pot 165mm front disc brake, XT rear V-brake with XT lever, lightweight bottom bracket, LX crankset, XT rear cassette, SDG seat (razor blade!), Cane creek A-headset, XT hubs with Mavic 217 rims | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willq
a Weekend Warrior
from manchester
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | leisure lakes | | Strengths: | steel frame still going strong! | | Weaknesses: | erm, no rear suspension? | | Similar Products Used: | too many to count... | | Bike Setup: | originally, rigid with '94 LX groupset, now mix/XTR with Pace rc36 evo hope hubs etc. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike back in '94 (one of the first) and it has been brilliant ever since, has grown with me and I've never faulted it. I was into XC racing when I got it, I went through a jumping phase, and I am now im in trail riding mode - this bike does everything except serious DH (although I often over take people on FS bikes with the P7's supple steel frame!). The frame just accelerates like nothing else (short chainstays) and is well stable on the DHs. The only problems I had was snapping the rigid F7 forks in my jumping phase - these were replaced straight away by leisure lakes. This is still my only bike for 7 years! It is still the original frame, seatpost and front mech (ancient STX model) as I go through wheels and rear mechs like anyone else. These are such good frames, my dad picked up a little used '96 frame for only £50 - why buy any other hardtail frame? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Barnes
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Quantocks / Coed-y-Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Xtreme - Poole, Dorset | | Strengths: | Great design, tough Nickel plating | | Weaknesses: | Unusual seatpost size (26.4) | | Bike Setup: | xtr shifters/brakes, xt mechs, pace rc36, crossmax, flite, x-lite x-country risers, continental cross country tyres, specialized titanium stem. | | Bottom Line: | I've been looking at getting full suspension recently but can't ever see me getting rid of this bike. I just love riding it. It just keeps doing everything I throw at it. It climbs well, is great for singletrack and tracks really well down steep rutted downhills. Well recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from london england
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | yorkshire dales | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | heales cycles london | | Strengths: | orange happy to customise, british badge, steel feel | | Weaknesses: | slow stearing, not the lightest | | Similar Products Used: | to many to mention by all the names you will of heard of | | Bike Setup: | pace air force forks hope ti glide xc4 pots xtr | | Bottom Line: | lovley trail bike, all day rides a blast as its very comfortable. Orange happy to gind off canti bosses and custom paint, big thumbs up to them. For racing or tight twisty technical single track the stearing is too slow. For what it is and what it costs great bike great fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Barton
a Cross Country Rider
from Stirling, Scotland
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cliff Tops at North Third | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | The frame, the Pace RC-36 MXCD forks | | Weaknesses: | Nickel plating isn't very thick! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 970 | | Bike Setup: | 21" P7 frame, Pace RC-36 MXCD forks (both 1997); Mavic X517 CD rear and 217 Ceramic front (both on XT hubs), XT everything else apart from XTR v-brakes and a FSA Power Pro chainset. | | Bottom Line: | After three years I am now reluctantly selling this bike for £600 (cost me £1300 new!). This bike does it all, no matter what you want to do, it will do it with aplomb.
I have taken it over the Cairngorms and it was fighting for more as I was happy to retreat to a bothy, this thing would go all day if my legs could!
I love it, the best bike I've owned so far - hopefully my new Pace RC-200 will better it but it has a long way to go to beat it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jetpants
a Racer
from Kent. UK
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Frame,
Pace RC36 Evo2 Forks,
Weighs nothing,
Looks gorgeous in Polar Blue !! | | Weaknesses: |
Orange own brand saddle,
9 Speed Shimano LX
Wheelset not very strong | | Similar Products Used: |
Klein Attitude Race
Kona Explosif | | Bike Setup: |
Upgraded from Manitou Spider to Pace RC36 Evo2
X-Lite shiny bits
Flite Ti saddle
Mavic Wheelset with Pace front hub and 8- Spd XT rear
Chris King headset | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best sub £1000 XC bike PERIOD.
The frames Orange produce would not feel out of place on bikes costing twice as much.It's a sheer delight to ride, and it's getting better all the time now the RC36's are bedding in.
The bike really floats over tight singletrack, and demands a little respect when taken to the limit, but she tracks beautifully round corners and accelerates really hard.My only niggles are the naff 9 speed Shimano stuff... if you get a speck of dust on your chain then the gears jump all over the place. It might just be that I got a duff rear mech or chain, but I found it too tempremental for my liking so I fitted 8 Speed XT everything instead, and I've had no probs since.Overall, if you're looking for a bike that is really fast but yet comfy enough to ride all day then get the P7....you WON'T be dissappointed.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike b
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport, Gwent,U.K.
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Brecon tow path | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Light, strong, responsive, looks good, superb handling | | Weaknesses: |
none to date found | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialised rock hopper/stumpjumper
Kona cindercone
Gt zaskar | | Bike Setup: |
Orange P7 Pace Mxcd | | Bottom Line: | Ii've had my P7 for over 3 years now it's been upgraded with almost all new components, Middleburn RS3s, Syncros, Maguras, Hope, USE,Shimano XTR and is now a joy to ride. I also own a Santa cruz heckler and a marin mount vision and although both these bikes are fantastic performers theres something about the ride of the p7 that sets it aside.
The only thing I find wrong with the P7 is theres not enough clearance between my forks and crud catcher when turning tight circles. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Philpot
a weekend warrior
from Newcastle
Date Reviewed: February 9, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased my P7 in march 1998 following reviews of this website. I have to say that I am not dissapointed. I have found it to be a joy to ride. Its traction and quality of frame make it the best bike I've ever riden. I tried out a sunn revolt comp (£1,400)recently and it didnt even compare. When you hop on the saddle of a P& you won't want to get off believe me! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a cross-country rider
from Coquet Valley, Northumberland
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Cool steal bike. Were do people ride those really expensive full suspention bikes? The only ones I see are the sparkling new ones in shops, or the sparkling new ones on the back of cars, or the sparkling new ones being riden around town by people who look like they would feint at a speck of mud. My P7 is wicked and takes out any other people on bikes of the more expensive variety. Though the paint job,clear varnish, is not to good. But it is easy enough to spot, and deal with rust with some enamel varish from Wilco's.
It floats across rough track, It's dead light and really responsive.
I like my bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy R.
a racer
from Nottingham University
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I feel a bit racy I just make a grab for my 15 inch P....7. When I get that stiff tubing between my legs there’s no stopping me. I just surge forward with each powerful thrust of my legs.Seriously though the P7 gives THE classic steel super ride, slightly stiffer than some smaller diameter frames but this just adds to the responsiveness. Its ride is difficult to describe - it’s not just the handling that’s good, there’re lots of bikes out there with good handling but very few that ride so well. The ride just gets better the faster you go. Feels like a spring, not a soft spring, a super stiff spring with just a little bit of give - not like some the dead feeling aluminium frames. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boy Blunder
a cross-country rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my first P7 5 years ago; at the time I had a really nice S-Works steel hardtail with enough bits left over to build another bike. I went into the Edinburgh Bike Co-Op (very good shop !) to buy a Clockwork frame but saw the first P7 that they had in; as I was thirteen and a half stone, there was no comparison between the two.
I built the P7 up with cast-off parts and rode it on New Year's day (with a frien riding my S-Works, with really nice parts) and couldn't believe how good the bike felt; I then spent 5 months in Munich and cycled regularly in the Alps around Garmisch. Before long the good bits from the S-Works were transferred onto the P7; the original Specialized Future Shocks could not be transferred and so I was riding the P7 rigid, which I never regretted.
Upon returning to Scotland, I bought some 1995 Pace MXCDs and noticed an amazing difference in the bike; although not long by today's standards, the Pace forks' 60mm of travel resulted in the front end of the bike being raised significantly, slowing the steering down a bit. This took a little getting used to, but I have never wanted to go back.
Three years on from then, the bike was going great until the bottom bracket shell parted company from the seat and down tubes while cycling home from a long ride; it appears that I had not emptied the water out of my frame often enough, resulting in all the water collecting around the Mavic bottom bracket.
In spite of the fact that the frame was still under 5 years old (the length of the manufacturers warranty), the best Orange would offer me was another frame for £100 (plus carriage); this was annoying, to say the least. However, I paid the money (as my old S-Works is getting rather tired; skinny steel tubes with large dents in them and an even heavier guy on board do not inspire too much confidence !) and built the bike up again.
I was lucky to get an older frame, with a 1 diameter headtube, as replacing a Mavic headset and Syncros quill stem would have been very expensive. The first thing I noticed, apart from the lovely nickel finish, was that the inside of the headtube had some surface rust on it already; this makes me think that the inside of the tubes are not treated by Orange (or rather the Taiwanese factory who make the frames) but, provided that the seatpin is removed and the bike left upside down after a really wet ride (which is almost all of them in Scotland) then this should not be a real problem.
I ride pretty quickly downhill and find the handling of the bike really solid; any crashes are my fault, not the bike's.
On the ups, I am sure the bike would fly (were it not for me now being 14 and a half stone and not too fit).
On singletrack, the turn in is not quite as quick as I would like, but a conscious effort to lean the bike and keep the weight over the front wheel works wonders.
Until I recently bought an aluminium road bike, all my bikes have been steel and I still see no reason to change that; aluminium fatigues, titanium is completely overpriced, and carbon fibre feels dead.
Steel is (still) real, and the P7 is one of the best.
definitely worth | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Reid
a weekend warrior
from East Yorkshire, England
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My mate owns a P7 and all I can say is it's pretty horny. I have ridden it a few times and I like the feel of the bike - it feels solid and strong. The seat is a bit uncomfortable, but apart from that it's a bird of a bike! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iain G
a weekend warrior
from Derby
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
You've got to try this. I've only done 500 miles or so on mine but it leaves me starry eyed after every ride. I often wonder want the expression begs to be thrashed means, now I know. This bike wants to be ridden flat to boards all the time, it just goes and goes and goes. The handle is awesome the built quality an d stregth you don't appreciate until you come off at speed. Buy one | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
neil
a weekend warrior
from Surrey,England
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently changed over to my P7 from a Kona Cinder Cone, and have been extremely pleased with my new baby! I had the upgrade to Pace forks, they just looked so good...absolutely knowing nothing about them!!( pathetic,I know ). I,ve managed to withhold from any other upgrade while still getting to know about the bike. i,ve only just done the first 240 miles but enjoy the whole experience of the ride!
A friend has bought a GT Pantera but for me the Orange wins! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dazza
a weekend warrior
from Kent
Date Reviewed: June 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had a P7 for 3 years fitted with Pace MXCD's & LX
I've cycled John O'Groats to LandsEnd on it laden with paniers
I've downhilled in the Alps for 2 weeks (Awesome!)
Riden through every type off off-road terrain
Been flying on it & crashed (only 8 feet high)
Taken it on holiday to Tenerife
In short it has done about 3,000 miles and still goes like a 'female dog' on heat - nice one orange. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Brown
a weekend warrior
from Wantage , UK
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Best bike I have ever owned ! I have a 96 pre v-brake model and its absolutley
superb . I'm a bit worried by this years frames in the bike shops though , the
build quality/welding seems to have dropped in standard loads ! Since fitting
a few lighter parts the bike became so responsive and so forgiving I thought I
was riding something twice the price !! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy J
a weekend warrior
from Nottingham, UK
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Was fed up waiting for an O2 so tried this bike back to back recently with a few other £700-800 bikes. Liked the build quality; but found the steering rather slow. Tyre pressures were fine. The Treks and Bontragers handled a lot better; try them back to back with the P7 if you don't believe me. In conclusion: This bike is built like a truck and handles like one compared to my Bonty.
IMHO. :-) | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivor Biggun
a racer
from England
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I feel a bit racy I just make a grab for my 19 inch P….7. When I get that stiff tubing between my legs there’s no stopping me. I just surge forward with each powerful thrust of my legs.Seriously though the P7 gives THE classic steel super ride, slightly stiffer than some smaller diameter frames but this just adds to the responsiveness. Its ride is difficult to describe - it’s not just the handling that’s good, there’re lots of bikes out there with good handling but very few that ride so well. The ride just gets better the faster you go. Feels like a spring, not a soft spring, a super stiff spring with just a little bit of give - not like some the dead feeling aluminium frames.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alastair Mackinlay
a cross-country rider
from Bath, UK
Date Reviewed: April 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Third time lucky? I hope so! I got my first P7 a couple of years ago. Unfortunately within a year the bottom bracket shell ha a crack running round it on the drive side, so Orange warrantied it and I got a shiney new one. Then last month, I was playing about in the woods with some friends, when the front wheel lost the line and dropped onto a hollow, throwing me over the bars.
The loud SNAP noise gave it away really... the top tube and head tube had parted company, as had the down tube and the bottom bracket. Cool bent downtube look too :-) Phoned up Orange, but since it was crashed they would not warranty it, so I got an assisted purchase (150 pounds) on a new frame, which they even custom painted for me... what a nice bunch of lads!
Even though I've broken 2 frames, I must say it is a nice ride. It handles really well, and has just enough give to make it comfortable without being whimpy. I do have a slight niggle that there is no rear brake hanger anymore, so you are forced to use v-brakes, but I guess thats true of most frames these days.
A pretty good bike all round, and the fact I still ride one even though I busted 'em should tell you how fond of it I am. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Konig
a cross-country rider
from Bromyard
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My P7 has Judy SLs and an LX gruppie with risers and lightweight rims.That front end...that front end.Things really do not get more playfull and fun so it's ideal for cross country riding and playriding.Best thing:WeightMore to the point, my frame was second hand so it just shows how bombproof the frame is | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riyad
a weekend warrior
from London UK
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Picked up my P7 at the weekend and I've never enjoyed riding a bike as much as this.
Haven't had a chance to push it really hard yet, since I'm recovering from a knee injury, but I can't wait.
I must admit that I fell in love with the P7 when i saw the nickel finish last year, but I got mine with Team Orange paint work and it looks even better.
Spec is LX/STX-RC with AVID V-Brakes and the usual Orange bits and bobs.
If you're looking for a bike around the £700 UK mark, you can't do much better than this. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Dowle
a weekend warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Nickel finish scratches quite easily, but no worse than the painted bikes I've had, and it doesn't show up so easily. Responsive, quick and well built, let down only because I went for LX rather than XT groupset. Change the forks for some decent shocks and it's difficult to beat for handling and comfort. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from England
Date Reviewed: March 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Me, I ride cross-country - up hills, down hills, trials and tricks (well I try) and best of all: seriously fast single track; all on my beloved P7 - it just springs foreward with every pedal input. I was first made aware of this bike in Mountain Biking and Accessories. The group test inspired me and from that point on I dreamed of owning one. That was back in 1995 and come the beginning of 1997 I was placing an order for a nickel Orange P7 with a combination of STX RC and LX. I customised the standard bike with Answer Hyperlite bars (the Orange Hot Rod is a tad too narrow with bar ends) and the tyres with some of the superb Specialized Team Control and Team Master tyres. Six months later I fitted some Pace MXCD RC36 forks just in time for a mountain biking holiday in the Lake District, now the P7 rides even better. More recently I have considered getting full suspension but when the P7 is so fun, I couldn’t possibly replace it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The bike rides as fast as it can all you have to do is hang on cause its a beutiful ride, i love it , its so responsive, all you have to do is fart in the opposite direction and your gone (with the wind i guess).
I ride as much as i can in delamere forest and the terrain doesnt cause any problems but neither do the down hills, im no extremist but i do like the odd jingle down a hill at 55mph (photograph to prove it) and it just went round the corners like it was on rails, without a hint of disobedience from the handling.
BUY IT!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
del
a racer
from somerset
Date Reviewed: December 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
What can i say , an all time classic bike , mine is 3 years old and after 100's of punishing races with some awesome crashes , this bike takes it all in it's stride , FANTASTIC......
Also being the Manager of a cycle shop i can have and ride most of the best , but this small time u.k manufactorer has got it right , small detail such as braze on's for your crud catcher , and the fact that the bikes are designed and built by people who ride and race , not just Kona do it see .
Well i'm now waiting in the que for the UFO full suspension.....URT another great bike.............bye for now....DEL | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Ward
a weekend warrior
from Milton Keynes, UK
Date Reviewed: December 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my P7 for about a year now. It was my first move up from a cheap bike to the real thing. I find the ride positive and comfortable. I would recommend upgrade to front suspention if you can afford it. While it was OK with the normal forks a simple move up to Rock Shox Indy C's made a lot of difference and did not make a great difference on the positive feal of the bike.
Plus, it looks gorgeous (makes my girlfriend jealous when I look at it and not her). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Del
a weekend warrior
from Brussels Belgium
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
After a massive search on the mainland, I had to take a day-trip back to England to get one; this was back in 1994! Years on, it still kicks ass. Frame is enormously strong (I've smashed up 4 other US frames) but the Nikel paintwork chips sooooo easily. Still looks good though.Buy it. The only problem for me would be if I lived back in England that everyone would assume you're sponsored by a GSM company. That is tragic. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MERLIN
a weekend warrior
from YORK, UK
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
GREAT BIKE, BUT THE NICKEL FINISH IS CRAP. ALREADY HAD ONE FRAME REPLACED, AND SENDING ANOTHER BACK TODAY. WILL BE CHANGING IT FOR THEIR NEW E4, WITH ORANGE PAINT ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin
a cross-country rider
from Devon, England
Date Reviewed: November 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Had my P7 STX-RC for 18 months now and it has been the best bike I've ever owned. Fun, fast, lightweight, springy and accurate. Despite the rigid forks it is as fast as most of mates' front or full suspension bikes costing up to 3 times as much. Go buy one, for X-country you can't do better! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is so good. It is very light and extremely responsive. A real racr winner! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crith Eubankth
a weekend warrior
from Thweden
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This Bike ith thexy and if anyone were to knock it I'd say THUT UP!! you thad excuthe for a thiclist.
The frame is more reliable than one of my thtwikes which like this thicling mathine leaves you thinking hmm nithe! and the bar endth are quite frankly sthpanking!. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alastair Stevens
a cross-country rider
from Cambridge UK
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
After a long search, I settled on the ORANGE P7 as the bike I needed to replace my very old Ridgeback. I'm certainly not disappointed! Before even riding it, I was stunned by how GORGEOUS it looked, in the titanium/nickel finish. The frame is very chunky, very gorgeous, very light and very strong. The attention to detail throughout is superb.Orange have certainly got the hardest bit right - it handles like a dream, tracking beautifully and remaining stable yet agile at all speeds. That is not easy to achieve, but they've done it. The ride is invigorating shall I say. It's quite harsh, but THRILLING and you certainly know what's going on beneath you. If you don't like it, then suspension forks and a titanium rail seat would probably fix things, but it's actually pretty cool.I got the STX RC groupset. The performance of this drivetrain is faultless, and it ought to last pretty well, so I hardly see why anyone would need anything better. The gears shift quickly and slickly, with lovely positive lever action. The brakes are those stunning V-brakes, which are dangerously powerful. Just make sure you never slam the levers on, because you'll be in for a shock. A gentle touch is all you need to stop you in 3 yards!All of Orange's parts are very decent, apart from the seat, which gave me a very sore bum after less than an hour. Maybe with decently padded shorts it would be OK. The shape feels about right, it's just hard and unforgiving. The wheels are well built, those 221 rims are great, and the 'raptors ought to be cool (though I haven't tested them in mud yet), but don't ride them on the road. It's like having a drag parachute on!So, sorted bike, stunning looker - go and get one NOW!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fraser
a cross-country rider
from scotland
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
a superb steel frame. It is light yet extremely strong with a slightly
stiffer feel. it handels well in all conditions and is excellent value
for money. This conmibed with its good shock absorbtion promotes fast,
nimble and agile riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
danny phillips
a weekend warrior
from southend, essex
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my P7 for nearly a year and she has taken some abuse. The crash that smashed me up, only left her with a bent bar end (me - broken elbow and collar bone - my fault). She is nimble, forgives me all the time when I get it wrong out on the trail and always gets me home. I will put front suspension at some future point, but i have a long way to go before I get there. She is just gorgeous to look at and always gets comments from other mtbrs. The only other bike that said don't buy the p7 was a stumpjumper a1 fs comp at nearly twice the price, and i rode 19 bikes in 3 days. but the p7 got the nod as she rode as well as the stumpy but looked sexier :-) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fraser Stephens
a weekend warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had this bike for 2 years now, and have loved every minute of it - even sitting in my bedroom I enjoy looking at it. It
rewards hard riding, urges you to ride single track faster, and does not punish you if you get it wrong. I dare not fit suspension
forks, because I am worried I would lose the nimble and comunicative steering - besides, with such a good steel frame, I find
it quite springy enough. | | Overall Rating: |
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