I want to buy a Sub-5........probably! Trouble is, no-one can offer me a test ride (apart from "around the car park")anywhere near South Bucks. Has anybody out there got one, and is it any good? I mostly do trails, up to about 35K,at a "press-on" kind of pace: I don't often push or carry. Thanks!

I have a Sub5, had it for about 3-4 months now. It is truely a great bike for the rider who wants to do it all, incredibly versitile just as they say in their adverts. Light, 5" rear travel, made in England, good looking, not a Marin! I tested practically every FRS bike I could lay my hands on and the Sub5 won hands down, I ride trails also.

My only complaint is the gash pedals and I am not fond of Manitous SX fork, swap it at time of purchase (I wish I did).

Cheers

-Matt

Simon, have you tried looking at Orange's website, they have a list of dealers on it? www.orange-bikes.co.uk

Let us know how you get on...

You might give Mountain Trax a try. They are just south of Bracknell and I think they do proper test rides.

Thanks for your comments. Matt's are re-assuring! Cullen: I checked the Orange website, and neither Cycle Care or Mountain Trax could offer a demo bike. Maybe I'll just have to try a trip round the dreaded car park! Thanks anyway.

Simon, I too have just bought a Sub 5 Pro after about 2 years of prevarication as to which FRS to buy. Only 30 miles off road on it so far but i'm very pleased. It does it all and more. I bought it from Maclaines in Worcester (01905 611123) who did me a killer deal on a 'pro with hope discs and the lock-out shock upgrade - speak to Simon the manager. I don't know whether they have a test bike, I confess I was swung by a test ride around the block (which still felt better than the marin rock springs and east peak I HAD ridden off road). What did the deal for me (apart from the price) was that Orange frames are made in UK, assembled to your order (you can have any colour Orange do) and are still pretty uncommon (buy now before everyone else does). Cheers, Martin.

A good (albeit quite expensive) way to thoroughly test a bike before buying is on a cycling holiday. Nielson have Orange Mr XCs, Patriots and Sub 5s (as well as Univegas and various hardtails)on their "Surf, Sail & Cycle" holidays. I had a week on a Mr XC on a (very mountainous) Greek island earlier this year - although the combination of sun, sea and beer meant I didn't make quite as much use of it as I could have done.
They also do a biking holiday in the Italian mountains and a winter biking holiday in Lanzarote.

Same for me Mark. We had an excellent holiday through Neilsons in Kitzbuhl the other year and I bought an Orange based upon my experience of one which I used in Austria.

if a shop wants to take your hard-earned from you, but hasn't got the decency to let you out of the carpark(with refundable deposit &/or I.D.), then you must be mad to(eventually) give them your money! who buys a sub5 for carpark usage? even if it IS uglier than a marin, it still rides well!

I have had a Sub 5 since January and I have had no problems and bucket loads of fun. I highly reccomend this bike after trying the Marin (which I liked but found too stretched). Prior to the sub 5 I had a UFO and the 5 is better . It isn't ugly but I admit it is different. Who wants a bike like everyone else?

Come to Scotland....
Not far on the right side of the border lies Mabie Forest, in Mabie forest at the start of the trails lies Riks Bike Shed, a full on Orange test centre with Sub 5's and Mr XC's and a forest full of singletrack of just about every type from steep and rocky climbs and descents to roots and drops and climbs and its all way marked and sponsored by the shop. If you want air there's a jump park too. We'd be happy to assist in your search for a test bike. In fact Steve Wade from Orange came and opened our new shop last month and we had a bit of a party. Forget the car park and kerbs and come north....