Orange Bits September 9th, 2009
I’ve just got back from visiting the fine folk at Orange at the other end of the valley. I was there to pick up a few bits and bobs and, more importantly, to drop off a few things. These things being cake. Cake is almost quite literally the substance which keeps the bike industry together, turn up with cake and you can be sure of a warm welcome, turn up without and don’t expect anyone to talk to you.
I brought offerings of carrot and chocolate cake and, well, reception was mixed. Whilst chocolate was universally welcomed by all carrot cake was, well, controversial. Some people objected to the fact there was vegetable in the cake, other that there was cream cheese on it. Michael Bonney, marketing bloke and a great believer that all cakes deserve a chance, forced the nay-sayers to at least sample it.
Go on, just try a little bit
You love it!
Hm, mixed success there…
More bounce from your Blood.
Whilst various people were prodding cake I went to have a poke round the assembly room and what did I find? How about a link that will give your five inch travel Blood six inches of travel? It’s a prototype at the moment but word is that it’s quite good fun.
Pink and blue. Rockin or rank?
You want colour, Orange can do colour. This pair of wheels is headed for an Orange Five with a blue front end and a hot pink rear, and matching non-matching pink and blue grips. AWESOME! I think…
"Whaddya mean you didn't see me?"
Neon yellow, safe AND on trend. Win.
Blue Blood. Bicycle royalty?
And the real reason I popped in, to pick up a Blood to call my own. Chipps’ Blood is ace and I’m not the only one to notice it. It’s more often out with a contributor or friend of the mag than it is in the office, which makes it frustrating when it’s the bike I WANT to ride. So I’m borrowing a frame for a while to spend some quality time on it. I’m quite excited.
Colour co-ordination will happen by the way pop-pickers.
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What sort of a weirdo doesn’t like carrot cake? It’s not like it tastes of carrot and cream cheese.
Those actually in the know when it comes to cake are well aware of the superiority of a well baked carrot cake compared to all other cakes…
Seems a shame that the blood doesn’t haev a 1.5 HT, and take a 30.9 seatpost so you can use a dropper post.
I think the sticking to a 27.2 seatpost will come to be seen as a mistake – but remember how long Orange held out on 1″ head tubes after everyone else had given up? And those P7s are still regarded as classics.
Sim
what is the frame and shock weight please?
Sim any news from the Halifax boys as to when we’ll be seeing the Patriot again?
Frame weight, can’t tell you as the frame is now a cassette and gear cable away from being a bike. Can you tell I’m eager to ride it this weekend?
Patriot, they didn’t mentioned anything, maybe I need to bring biscuits as well to get all their secrets out of them. Hmmm…
The Patriot is still being tested apparently with a bit more travel
180 approx and they are trying to get it to weave better round corners.
Something which they say was to much a compromise from the bike.
Sim, very interesting what is size and what is the build going to be? Isn’t this going to overlap the Intense?
If anyone ever make it to Queenstown, NZ try the carrot cake at Vudu Cafe that will end the discussion. I hope to be back for seconds one day.
Giant MPH3 Brakes on that Hitman!
brilliant yet awful clones of C2s dont you know”!
whats my prize?
i thought the hitman wasnt being produced anymore?
The Blood differs from the Intense in that it’s got a granny gear and travel adjust forks so it can be ridden everywhere, the Intense is now more DH specific with a single ring and Fox 40s so is reserved for uplift days and rides where there will be no riding uphill.
The Hitman belonged to one of the guys at the factory, he’d just had it re-sprayed and was sticking it together again. Looked good so I took a photo.
Dundee cake. Should have taken Dundee Cake.