The Patriot makes a return to the Orange Mountain Bikes lineup for 2012. Taking up a position between the Alpine 160 and 224, the new bike delivers 180mm of balanced single pivot suspension. The original was responsible for much of our direction in design, the 2012 bike more than lives up to the name…
Highlight features at a glance:
* The monocoque down tube profile develops stiffness and reduces weight. The top tube adopts similar technology, allowing a front end that is lighter and stronger than a hydroformed equivalent.
* The 1.5" headtube houses a tapered fork with an external bearing bottom cup and zero-stack top. The best option for strength and weight, but also future proofing frame design and allowing compatibility with angle-adjust headsets.
* The 30.9mm seat tube diameter adds height adjustable seat post compatability, with guides keeping cabling tidy.
* Maintenance free 32mm pivot assembly keeps the bike out of the workshop and on the trail.
* Maxle rear as standard, the frame is super stiff with accurate tracking for surefooted confidence.
* Standard ISCG tabs allow easy chain device installation.
* Low pivot placement keeps the suspension super active but controlled and efficient. Small bump sensitivity with enough climbing poise to earn your turns. The same position as the Five, it rides light but takes the hits.
* A Super slack 65.5° head-angle lets you rip through the rough stuff, with a planted BB height keeping you in the centre of the bike. The ride characteristics of the old packaged with the best of the new.
Coming July 1st...
The 2012 Patriot will be available from July 1st as a complete build or frame only package. The standard bike retails at £2999.99 with a Fox Van RC shock, Marzocchi 66 RCV 180mm fork, Hope hubs, Avid Elixir brakes, Truvativ finishing kit and a RaceFace/Shimano transmission. The usual array of upgrade options will be offered including the Cane Creek Double Barrel, Hope Tech V2 brakes, RockShox Reverb seat post, Gamut chain device and new for 2012, the Renthal Fatboy bar and Duo stem.
The Patriot is a hard riding big-mountain machine built for slamming into turns and boosting off lips. Ready to winch you to the top it’s capable of technical climbing, but the Patriot is all about the gravity fuelled good times. A downhill bike too big and slow but six inches not capable enough? The Patriot is the perfect midpoint. See it as a UK downhill bike, a lightweight freeride bike or something to pedal around the Alps. The Patriot is bred tough whatever the tag line, the only limits are your nerves…
Orange Mountain Bikes was born in 1988 with the collaboration of Lester Noble and Steve Wade. Motivated by riding, Orange filled many gaps in the UK bike market. World Cup podiums and Championship wins brought international renown with grassroots programs supporting the domestic scene. Today, Orange bikes continue to develop and innovate using riders as a platform. A full range of bikes is available with quality and reliability at the heart of each concept. Orange is at the forefront of chassis and suspension design and continues to be at the heart of the UK grassroots scene.
Handbuilt in Halifax... im proud to be born in the same place
I WILL be getting one
a href="Fat rear linkage">img src="http://www.bikemag.com/files/2011/01/wpid-marin-bikes-5-d.jpg">/a>
"Looks like a trek." is the usual response when a new bike comes out'' '
^^ hahah quality, props!!!
KILL GRANNY RINGS!!!
LETS ALL CHAT:
KILL GRANNY RINGS!!
GRANNY RINGS ARE 4 FAGS!
the 1.5 steerer tube that manitou introduced actually made sense when the marz 66 and RS totem came out and was a failure on manitou's nixon (because of the skinny stanchions it was using) that first came out with the 1.5 steerer tube. the earlier 2007 giant glories, spez demo 7's, 2007 norco shores, and other frame/bike builders were already utilizing the 1.5 head tube because of this. fox and the other frame builders who just started to make a 180 bike last year or just now like the revived patriot are a bit late and are just catching up on to what's already there and this isn't even because of fox. its because they had to complete a product line up to fill a void like the other bike companies that already have a 180 bike.
Seriously outdated design...period.