As promised, some better pics of my ST4. Seems the sun today on white paint = 'halo' effect though....
Impressions after a few short rides and one longer one = WHOOOOOOOSH!
This bike climbs very well, and (i know its a cliche) but a gear or two faster than others. On wide landrover tracks its just sit n pedal - on rougher bits (like Houndkirk tonight) it just flies up stuff.
Downhill is great as well - speed, speed, speed - again on easy but rough tracks like Houndkirk it just seems to have more than 110mm of travel - it feels like a short travel bike, until you jump or hit something really hard and it seems to have a reserve of travel somewhere. On the Plantation it was great - certainly didn't feel short of travel on the bigger bumps and steps. It sits up high in its travel - not much sag - reacts to small bumps well but you can tell its not dropping into bumps like a longer travel bike.
On steeper stuff DH you can feel the low BB - it turns brilliantly, and feels low. Not clipped a pedal yet. I preferred my 29er on really steep rocky / stepped bits - I think the big wheels are ace on steep steps/rocks!
The rear is a bit flexy when really pushed I think - especially shown up by the brilliantly directional F-120 QR15's - steering compared to my Reba 29's is staggeringly good - a couple of time I waited for the bike to twist onto a line, and it just carried on where the bars were pointing...
The mountain kins I am not sure of - they seem to slide/wash out a bit and seem bouncy on rocks. 😐
The juicy 3's have a really bad 'grabby' spot on the front disc - I tried some cleaner today and it didn't do anything. Its so bad at slow speed you can feel the bike pitch back and forth as it grabs - and slides you around off-road...the rear is low on power as well 😐
I reckon with some new tyres, and the brakes sorted it will be fabulous. To be 'perfect' a maxle rear would be great 8)
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Summary - did I say WHOOOOSH? Great on wide open, rocky stuff - I think it will be fabulous on somewhere like Corrieyairack / big hill stuff / big days out - without being wallowy.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/sets/72157614381489169/
nice!
how many sheckles was that?
Insurance replacement 🙂
nice that!
Looks very "relaxed" (or is it just my wide screen monitor?!)
Nice by the way 🙂
It seems to be similar head angle to a '5', with steeper seat angle.
That does look very nice <wanders off to the Orange website>
I agree with the mk tyres, mine had to go on my 5....
have you ridden a 5 and if so how does it compare?
looks very nice if a bit whoooooshy for me 😀
very lovely bike that, looks cracking in white too.
Ridden 5, and owned a Sub5 for 7 years....
Compared to both it climbs better, feels faster and lighter - and I don't notice the 20mm less travel. Also a bit nippier. I bet on really big rocky stuff I may notice the 20mm - but thats only a few percent of most of my rides...Climbing is way different in granny - that 'pull the wheel under' feel that I liked on the Sub5, but stalled you at times on step ups etc is gone - its much more active on techy climbs.
HV can on the RP23 - what weight are you ?
14st 😳
mmmmmmmm...i was under the impression that the LV can would suit people in excess of 80kg.
however, i'm also aware that there seems to be limited choice in selecting the LV can in certain sizes.......
i could be wrong of course......
*high 5s 14 stone buddy*
nice bike that matt
hope it takes the pain away a little
Is this Orange trying to emulate/compete with the Trance ????
**********hides***********
It's v nice though,must say.
I didn't know there were different sized cans...
shinsplints - MemberIs this Orange trying to emulate/compete with the Trance ????
Trance? Try the Meta
@druidh - do apolgise... 😳
That linkage is very Commie esque though on second look.
Just been reading the STW ST4 vs Meta review - all sounds familiar!
does look nice, and if it's as capable as a five then could be very fun
I think you should send it back, you obviously aren't impressed and don't like it.
😆
Why do Orange always use those crappy seatpost clamps. I wonder if the angle you clamp yours at will be more successful than mine was
do the rear tyres rub on the frame, I heard that is an issue?
not noticed it...
Is that a bell?
🙄
14st [:oops:]
Why be embarrassed? I far as I recall you are 6'2" + are you not?
Is that a bell?
They are surprisingly useful in our busy Peak area...loads of walkers - and I got fed up of the 'why don't you have a bell?' comments - so the bell stays.
Uber. could always stiffen up the rear with a DT RWS if needed? any idea how much it weighs?
So anyone want to sell me a 2nd hand frame?
please?
Its a lot of notes for the frame only 🙁
Is it just me, or is that saddle really far back, like over the middle of the rear wheel?
The saddle is far back on the rails - I was borderline between 18" and 20" - having had a sit on both sizes of a '5' I plumped for the smaller.
Fair enough, manual-tastic!
Beautiful... congrats
i wish i had some cash and my old bike suddenly broke, i proper like that
i love this bike but even orange told me there not happy with the flexy back end.put me off.
Mmmm White. Looks a thing of beauty!
Oh man....that looks well nice.....
When I finally (if ever) get round to replacing my bike, my list of possibles is getting even longer....
Stumjumper FSR (because mine has been so good, I have to consider a new one)
Zesty
Orange ST4
Trek (can't remember the name - white, gold and black, now brown & white, I think)
I think a road bike of some description will have to come first - possible a Spesh CX - Tricross or whatever they are called.
i love this bike but even orange told me there not happy with the flexy back end.put me off.
they already do a maxle back end for the 5, why not this? in fact why aren't more people doing big axle back ends?
you choosen the best colour and i cannt wait to get 1 (so a long wait) 😕
they already do a maxle back end for the 5, why not this? in fact why aren't more people doing big axle back ends?
I agree - I think it would make it a fantastic bike. I guess it is a bike that is still partly in the 'race' camp - and every gram counts....
seeing as the commencal super-4 comes with thomson post and a headset for £998
do you think the orange is worth the extra £300?
I'd just make it an optional extraI agree - I think it would make it a fantastic bike. I guess it is a bike that is still partly in the 'race' camp - and every gram counts...
shinsplints - you weren't that far off, it looks like a shorter travel lighter/flexier, more expensive Giant VT copy to me 😛
Druidh - the Meta's main pivot is higher and quite a bit further forward (surprising since orange have kinda marketed the high forward pivot to death) 😉 the VT was also around a couple of years before the meta.
A maxle, for an XC frame? is that what things are coming to these days? what makes you think all the rear end flex comes from the wheel axle?
those thin chainstays and that loooong rockr link don't exactly look stiff 😕
Looks great!
"Is this Orange trying to emulate/compete with the Trance ????"
From the ride characteristics you describe - yes quite possibly.
well its not going to hinder the frame flex really is it?A maxle, for an XC frame? is that what things are coming to these days? what makes you think all the rear end flex comes from the wheel axle?
I think I'll wait till MK2 then see if i can find the cash
Someone just emailed me to say that Orange have the STW ST4/Commencal test up:
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Seems bang on with what I think...
did you create all that errosion in the background with that bike ? 😉
moi? my things may be big, but burnouts on a bike.... 