{"id":50687,"date":"2023-06-08T17:00:53","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T15:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=733253"},"modified":"2023-06-08T17:35:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T15:35:37","slug":"new-orange-stage-7-adopts-strange-linkage-for-bottomless-suspension-feel","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-orange-stage-7-adopts-strange-linkage-for-bottomless-suspension-feel\/","title":{"rendered":"New Orange Stage 7 adopts Strange Linkage for bottomless suspension feel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orange’s updated 29in enduro bike adopts a linkage-driven suspension system from the Switch 7 <\/p>

By Nick Clark\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 08 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Orange Bikes has released the Stage 7, the latest addition to the brand\u2019s 29in-wheel enduro range.<\/p>\n

The new bike has 165mm of rear-suspension travel<\/a> and drops the single-pivot suspension system for the Strange Power Link system first seen on the Switch 7.<\/p>\n

Only the Stage 7 LE will be available at launch, priced at \u00a37,400\/$9,000\/\u20ac8,300 and featuring a Fox Factory 38 fork<\/a> and Float X2 Factory shock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Orange says other models will be available in late summer, including a frame-only option.<\/p>\n

Strange Linkage?<\/h2>\n
\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The shock is mounted parallel to the down tube.<\/span><\/figcaption> Orange Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Orange is famed for its single-pivot dedication, with the brand still recognising it as a part of its identity.<\/p>\n

That being said, the new bike, which sits above the Stage 6<\/a> in terms of travel, has adopted Orange\u2019s Strange (Special Technology RANGE) linkage-driven suspension system<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Orange says it made this decision because it allows for a considerably more progressive shock curve that adds a bottomless feeling to the bike\u2019s suspension and enables the leverage ratio to fall from 3.04 to 2.32.<\/p>\n

\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Strange link is made from a CNC\u2019d block of aluminium.<\/span><\/figcaption> Orange Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Strange Power Link is positioned low down in the bike\u2019s frame, with Orange saying this allows for neutral weight distribution, while lowering the bike\u2019s centre of gravity.<\/p>\n

The new linkage gives the bike 165mm of rear travel and uses a 205x60mm trunnion shock mount.<\/p>\n

The front of the bike has been designed to accommodate a 170mm fork, though it\u2019s not clear whether this is the maximum amount the frame can accept.<\/p>\n

\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Orange says the Stage 7 has been designed with speed in mind.<\/span><\/figcaption> Orange Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Stage 7 is made from seam-welded 6061-T6 aluminium tubing, with the linkage CNC\u2019d from a block of aluminium.<\/p>\n

Orange hasn\u2019t provided a weight for the frameset, but claims this construction enables the frame to weigh less than its carbon fibre counterparts.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Not that Orange expects that time to come quickly, with the brand offering a five-year frame warranty.<\/p>\n

\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The chainstay has a full-length protector, which should protect the frame while damping chain slap.<\/span><\/figcaption> Orange Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The rear triangle features an asymmetrical swingarm that increases the bike\u2019s vertical stiffness while allowing for lateral compliance.<\/p>\n

Orange claims this improves grip, while retaining a direct feel through the bike.<\/p>\n

The frame has down tube protection to fend off stone chips and chainstay protection to dampen chain slap.<\/p>\n

Orange Stage 7 geometry and sizing<\/h2>\n
\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Stage 7 has the same 63-degree head angle as its mulleted sibling, the Switch 7.<\/span><\/figcaption> Orange Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

<\/colgroup>
M<\/th>L<\/th>XL<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Seat tube length <\/b> (in)<\/td>17<\/td>18<\/td>19<\/td> <\/tr>
Head angle <\/b> (degrees)<\/td>63<\/td>63<\/td>63<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat angle <\/b> (degrees)<\/td>76<\/td>76<\/td>76<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube <\/b> (mm)<\/td>625<\/td>645<\/td>665<\/td> <\/tr>
BB height <\/b> (mm)<\/td>338<\/td>338<\/td>338<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay <\/b> (mm)<\/td>468<\/td>468<\/td>468<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube <\/b> (mm)<\/td>110<\/td>120<\/td>130<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase <\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,291<\/td>1,313<\/td>1,335<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach <\/b> (mm)<\/td>466<\/td>484<\/td>502<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack <\/b> (mm)<\/td>636<\/td>646<\/td>654<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork offset <\/b> (mm)<\/td>44<\/td>44<\/td>44<\/td> <\/tr>
Rear travel <\/b> (mm)<\/td>165<\/td>165<\/td>165<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover <\/b> (mm)<\/td>724<\/td>750<\/td>770<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>