[Update 20/04/08] Since my original review I've added a Reba Team, Juicy 5's and Mavic Cross lands, plus all kinds of other new kit. In fact, other than the frame the only original parts are the front mech and WTB Rocket 5 saddle (best saddle ever maded by the way). All this has made me enjoy the frame more, I also went for my first foray into full sus with a Stumpy FSR which I love, but the P7 just waits to be taken out to show what she can do all over again. This frame/bike is that good. I completed my first Marathon 100k last weekend, the toss up between the FSR and the P7 was a tough one but the all round ability of the P7 won through. In fact I'm about to go for it again and upgrade to Hope Mono Minis, Hope wheelset and a F100 fork.

[Update 20/04/08] Don't know how long I can go before I need to move on to the new frame, mine is 5-6 years old now, so am restricted on fork length. Could argue it's a touch heavy but the ride feel makes up for that. Chain suck is never good on a steel frame either so need to keep a close eye out for an onset of rust, nothing yet though... Also wish I could get rid of the Canti bosses on the seat stays... and on that topic the rear disc has caught the chain stay once or twice. That said, it's nothing that would put me off another one though.

[Update 20/04/08] I still love this bike, and it will always draw more attention than the FSR... Sure the FSR can hammer down techy trails but the P7 is the better all rounder, even considering comfort, for me.

[Update 15/02/08] Lovely geometry. Lovely steel frame. Good pedal/bottom bracket clearance.
Gorgeous Fox Float RLC forks.

[Update 15/02/08] 7 months in and the headset is fit for the bin, the bottom bracket is making strange noises (no discernable freeplay though)and the stickers are peeling off the frame!! I wrote a polite letter to Orange and to date have had no response from their customer services dept - absolutely disgusting treatment IMHO. Whats the point in fitting substandard components on a bike that costs over a grand?? INSANITY!

[Update 15/02/08] Customer satisfaction is obviously not on the list of priorities for this company. I'm both upset and annoyed that I find myself writing this review.
Orange customers services dept are a disgrace to the Union Jack sticker thats peeling off the frame!
Ive replaced the plasticine WTB headset with a Chris King unit and the worn bottom bracket was replaced fuss-free by my LBS under warranty (Thanks Andy, Sunset Bikes)

[Update 21/01/08] Very nice bike to ride,has a laidback feel,nice for long rides as its a comfortable steel frame,good all round trial bike,especially good down hill and it climbs ok,perfectly adequate,the fork has been excellent too,plush and tracks very well,I have now fitted the softest spring which has improved it i think and I never run out of travel.Excellent wheelset and Hope hubs.Good spec generally,excellent XT shifters,i fitted Hope 06 mini's,well engineered but the juicy 5's are a bit more powerful but dont look as nice,just an opinion.

[Update 21/01/08] I have to say the WTB headset is pathectic,very poor quality on a £1200 bike and it started getting rough after a couple of months,sorry not good enough,recently fitted a S8 Crane Creek Cartridge headset and much better.RaceFace Evolve bottom bracket bearings are utter rubbish and dreadful durability,crap seals and a design fault which means the bearings are too tight in the cups,ive replaced with a better quality bb but the cranks and rings are very good,apparently the bearings are better for 08 and a guy at Orange told me the FSA headsets fitted for 08 are much better and I should hope so.Maybe a tad heavy for the money but a few upgrades make this bike a good weight.

[Update 21/01/08] Overall a good allrounder,it does everything well and feels bomproof,the steel frame is excellent,soaks up the knocks very well and its set up for all day comfort,its a do anything bike,trial riding to long distance touring.Looks good,nice paint finish and well put together.I knocked the mark down a bit purely because of the headset and BB that is substandard on a quality bike of this price.

[Update 12/12/07] Looks nice, rides well when it's brand new, good components apart from the frame.

[Update 12/12/07] Design of the frame is flawed. The bike has sliding rear dropouts that the rear disc brake is attached to. After 2/3 weeks, this became loose and moved every time I put the rear brake on. Orange has been fobbing me off for over a month now with bodged fixes and 'we're waiting for a part to come in'.

[Update 12/12/07] Don't bother, get a specialized.