Orange say its new Four was born to fill the trail riding gap opened up by the increasingly aggressive focus of the Five. But in RS guise it’s capable of a lot more than just Sunday XC spins.
Orange Four RS: the frame
The Four has the traditional boxy Orange facade and single-pivot rear end but the frame’s about as refined as it can be and made from a lighter, thinner grade of alloy.
The short rear end and upright seat angle mean there’s no lack of grip or wandering on climbs.
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Up front, Orange has hit the nail on the head with a top tube that’s long enough for a 40mm stem without making you stretch to reach it (650mm, XL). The 67-degree head angle may sound somewhat upright but it never feels it.
Orange Four RS: the kit
The RS is built around RockShox’s hard-hitting Pike fork, Monarch DebonAir shock and Reverb dropper post. It’s good to see a Renthal bar and stem, Hope hubs and Maxxis tyres – brands often spec cheap kit in these areas that’ll require pricey upgrading in future.
SRAM’s Guide R brakes can fade off on long descents but generally offer decent modulation and power. Its GX 11-speed drivetrain may be entry-level but the chain snicks its way up and down the gears in a fuss-free fashion and the tiny 30t Race Face ring lets you climb up just about anything.
Orange Four RS: the ride
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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