New Orange Stage 7 adopts Strange Linkage for bottomless suspension feel

Orange’s updated 29in enduro bike adopts a linkage-driven suspension system from the Switch 7

By Nick Clark

Published: Thursday, 08 June 2023 at 12:00 am

Orange Bikes has released the Stage 7, the latest addition to the brand’s 29in-wheel enduro range.

The new bike has 165mm of rear-suspension travel and drops the single-pivot suspension system for the Strange Power Link system first seen on the Switch 7.

Only the Stage 7 LE will be available at launch, priced at £7,400/$9,000/€8,300 and featuring a Fox Factory 38 fork and Float X2 Factory shock.

Orange says other models will be available in late summer, including a frame-only option.

Strange Linkage?

"Orange
The shock is mounted parallel to the down tube.
Orange Bikes

Orange is famed for its single-pivot dedication, with the brand still recognising it as a part of its identity.

That being said, the new bike, which sits above the Stage 6 in terms of travel, has adopted Orange’s Strange (Special Technology RANGE) linkage-driven suspension system.

Orange says it made this decision because it allows for a considerably more progressive shock curve that adds a bottomless feeling to the bike’s suspension and enables the leverage ratio to fall from 3.04 to 2.32.

"Orange
The Strange link is made from a CNC’d block of aluminium.
Orange Bikes

The Strange Power Link is positioned low down in the bike’s frame, with Orange saying this allows for neutral weight distribution, while lowering the bike’s centre of gravity.

The new linkage gives the bike 165mm of rear travel and uses a 205x60mm trunnion shock mount.

The front of the bike has been designed to accommodate a 170mm fork, though it’s not clear whether this is the maximum amount the frame can accept.

"Orange
Orange says the Stage 7 has been designed with speed in mind.
Orange Bikes

The Stage 7 is made from seam-welded 6061-T6 aluminium tubing, with the linkage CNC’d from a block of aluminium.

Orange hasn’t provided a weight for the frameset, but claims this construction enables the frame to weigh less than its carbon fibre counterparts.

Orange also says the material is better for the environment once the bike has reached the end of its use life, because aluminium is widely recycled.

Not that Orange expects that time to come quickly, with the brand offering a five-year frame warranty.

"Orange
The chainstay has a full-length protector, which should protect the frame while damping chain slap.
Orange Bikes

The rear triangle features an asymmetrical swingarm that increases the bike’s vertical stiffness while allowing for lateral compliance.

Orange claims this improves grip, while retaining a direct feel through the bike.

The frame has down tube protection to fend off stone chips and chainstay protection to dampen chain slap.

Orange Stage 7 geometry and sizing

"Orange
The Stage 7 has the same 63-degree head angle as its mulleted sibling, the Switch 7.
Orange Bikes

The Orange Stage 7 has a 1-degree slacker head angle than the Stage 6, slackening from 64 degrees to 63 degrees, while the effective seat tube angle remains the same at 76 degrees.

Reach measurements have decreased slightly, with a size-large frame now measuring 3cm shorter than the Stage 6, down from 487cm to 484cm.

MLXL
Seat tube length (in)171819
Head angle (degrees)636363
Seat angle (degrees)767676
Top tube (mm)625645665
BB height (mm)338338338
Chainstay (mm)468468468
Head tube (mm)110120130
Wheelbase (mm)1,2911,3131,335
Reach (mm)466484502
Stack (mm)636646654
Fork offset (mm)444444
Rear travel (mm)165165165
Standover (mm)724750770

The new Orange Stage 7 will only be available in three sizes: medium, large and extra-large, with chainstay measurements remaining at 468mm throughout.

Orange Stage 7 spec and price

At launch, only the top-of-the-range Stage 7 LE will be available, with Orange saying more models will be offered later in the summer.

Orange Stage 7 LE

"Orange
The Stage 7 LE features plenty of Kashima-coated components.
Orange Bikes
  • Fork: Fox Factory Float 38, 170mm
  • Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
  • Drivetrain: Shimano XT
  • Brakes: Shimano XT Trail
  • Wheels: Stan’s Flow MK4 (rims), Hope Pro 4 (hubs)
  • Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO 2.4in (r)
  • Price: £7,400/$9,000/€8,300