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Orange Bikes - Frequently asked questions

Technical Orange FAQs:

Here are a list of technical questions that we are often asked relating to Orange Mountain Bikes. We will be adding to the list as more come up.

In the first instance you should contact your supplying dealer for advice and assistance. Your Orange dealer will provide the specialist knowledge you need to maintain and tune your Orange bike, these pages and answers are in addition to the service they provide.

	How do I replace my bearings on my Orange suspension bike?
	How can I tell whether my 2001/2002 Patriot is an LT?
	What size seat post / front mech or bottom bracket will fit my bike?
	How do I remove my rear shock on my suspension bike?
	How do I know what shock bolt lengths I need?
	What routine maintenance should I be performing on the rear suspension pivot of my bike to keep it working smoothly ?
	What type of replaceable derailleur hanger does my bike take and where can I get one from?
	What spring weight should I have on my rear shock?
	What are the recommended bolt torque settings for my Orange bike?
	Which size shock bolt goes on which shock mount?

How do I replace my bearings on my Orange suspension bike?

Looks complicated but its really quite simple. Firstly, you’ll need a 3mm and 5mm allen key, and a rubber mallet. (If you don’t have a rubber mallet then use wood, but make sure you put some cloth over it so you don’t damage the paint).

Note: this method is for Horiz-Hold welded pivot.

1. Remove the two dust caps with the 3mm allen key so the bearings are exposed.
2. Loosen the 2 bearing clamp bolts that clamp up the bearings with the 5mm allen key.
3. Using the rubber mallet, tap the drive side of the swingarm away from you. (Make sure you tap the weld so you don’t dent the frame).
4. Clamp up the pinch bolt on the drive side. Now go round to the non-drive side. With some force, using the rubber mallet again, tap (on the weld) the swingarm, away from you.
5. This will move the bearing off the pivot pin. Now slacken the pinch bolt and repeat the process until the bearing is completely off. Do the same for the opposite side.
6. To fit the new bearings, apply copperslip grease to the internal bearing surface. Centre the bearing with the pivot pin and tap it on.
7. Centre the swingarm on the pivot pin and torque up the bearing clamp bolts (16NM) and the dust caps (5NM).
8. Done

How can I tell whether my 2001/2002 Patriot is an LT?

The LT used a Fox Vanilla RC coil shock with a 57mm stroke, if it's got a 5th element, Fox R or RS unit then its a 5 inch travel version, The Fox RC was the only shock ever specc'ed that was available with a 57mm stroke, there were no changes to LT frames other than removing canti bosses to stop V brakes contacting the seattube under full compression. if you can find a 190/57 Fox RC its an easy upgrade to make provided you run discs.

What size seat post/front mech or bottom bracket will fit my bike?

We are often asked what size front mech, seat post or bottom bracket fits a particular model and this can be one of the hardest questions to give an answer to. Because we introduced running changes to each bike, knowing the year of manufacture does not help to clearly identify which variation of the model you may have. Some seatposts were shimmed to fit seat tubes, bottom bracket length is determined by the chainset you use (sorry but we don't check this with every chainset available) and front mech's could be top pull, bottom pull or even plate style.
We do not have records of frame numbers for older bikes so this cannot be used to accurately identify a model.

What we have tried to do is give an idea of what was produced over the years, please use this guide, measure the component you are replacing and try and get one with identical dimensions. Always check with your dealer that the part you are purchasing will fit, if in doubt let them do it.

Model	Approx. Yr.	Comments	S Tube	S Post	F Mech	BB shell
Gringo	99-00		27.2	27.2	31.8	68
G2	05>		27.2	27.2	31.8	68
Clockwork	98 - 99	slot faces front	29.6	27.2 + shim	31.8	68
C16, C16R	95 - 97	slot faces rear	30	*	31.8	68
C16, C16R	97 - 98	slot faces front	29.6	27.2 + shim	31.8	68
Clockwork	93 - 94		26.8	26.8	28.6	68
P7	94 - 98	slot faces rear	30	*	31.8	68
P7	98 - 05	slot faces front	29.6	27.2 + shim	31.8	68
P7	06>		29.8	27.2 + shim	31.8	68
E3	95 - 98		30	*	34.9	68
E4	98 - 99		26.8	26.8	31.8	68
e-six	00 - 02		26.8	26.8	31.8	68
E8	02 - 05		26.8	26.8	31.8	68
X1	96 - 98		30	*	31.8	68
X2	97 - 99		30	*	31.8	68
UFO	98 - 99		31.6	27.2 + shim	31.8	68
O2	97 - 98		31.6	27.2 + shim	34.9	68
evo2	99 - 03		27.2	27.2	31.8	68
evo4	04 - 05		27.2	27.2	31.8	68
evo6	06>		27.2	27.2	31.8	68
AirO	99>01		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Hitman	04>		29.8	27.2 + shim	n/a	73
MsIsle	98 - 99		31.6	27.2 + shim	34.9	73
MsIsle	99 - 06		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Mii	06>		27.2	27.2	n/a	73
Zero	00 - 02		27.2	27.2	n/a	73
Mr O	99 - 00		31.6	27.2 + shim	31.8	73
Mr XC	99 - 01		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Sub 3	00 - 03		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Sub 5	00 - 03		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Five	04>		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Patriot	99 - 04		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Patriot 66	05>		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Patriot 7+	03 - 05		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
Big-T	06>		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
222	00 - 03		27.2	27.2	n/a	73
223	03 - 04		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
224	05>		27.2	27.2	31.8	73
* orange posts no longer available

How do I remove my rear shock on my suspension bike?

"Easy" you might say but you'll be surprised how many people get this wrong
and damage their frame. Each shock bolt has a 5mm Allen key head either
side. One is to adjust and one is to lock in place with a key way on the bolt and in the frame. The one to adjust is the side with the washer on. The side with out the washer has a 'key' that slots into the frame, turning this side will damage your frame.

[UPDATE] We no longer use the old CrMo Seat Pin style of shock fixing. All models from 2000 onwards with 4mm shock mount side plates are compatible with the new style offixing. If you bike has 3mm shock mount side plates then you need to use the Crmo Seat Pin bolts, or adapt the new fixing's sleeve to fit (we do not supply them pre-machined to fit older models). We recommend this modification to experienced engineers only.


Old style CrMo "seat-pin" style bolts.	New style bolt and fixing sleeve.

How do I know what shock bolt lengths I need?

The threaded spacer sleeve between the Allen bolts comes in three lengths 29mm, 31mm and 33mm. If you need spares measure the outside dimension of the shock mount on your frame or swing-arm. This distance should match the sleeve length. You can buy them as a spare part here.

What routine maintenance should I be performing on the rear suspension pivot of my bike to keep it working smoothly?

Your bearings are maintenance free. They come greased from new. Avoid using a high pressure washer to clean your bike as this will remove the grease. Check the wear of the bearings every 6 months. Remove your rear wheel and rear shock and lift the swing arm up and down. If they feel rough then get a new pair!

What type of replaceable derailleur hanger does my bike take and where can I get one from?

Replaceable derailleur dropouts changed on various models at different years. Your local Orange dealer should carry stock of dropouts. Alternatively you can check the components page on the site where we list the currently available derailleur hangers available direct from £14.95 plus P&P

What spring weight should I have on my rear shock?

All our shocks come as standard with one spring weight.
224/Manitou Swinger Coil X4 is 450lb spring 224/Fox DHX 5 Coil is 400lb spring
Patriot/Fox DHX 5 Coil is 450lb spring
Patriot/Manitou Swinger Coil X3 are 450lbs
Inevitably, there will be riders who don't suit these springs and require different ones. Click on the link below for expert advice on what will best suit you.

www.mojo.co.uk for fox and www.tftunedshox.com for 5th element. TF Tuned have a very good explanation of spring rates here.

What are the recommended torque settings for Sub3, Sub5, Patriot, 7+ and 22X?

* Bearing clamp bolts	14Nm
* Front & Rear shock bolts (Fox-5th Element)	16Nm
* Axle bolts 12 mm bolt-thru swingarm	16Nm
† Axle pinch bolts for 222 only (M5)	4.5Nm
† Axle pinch bolts for 222, 223, 224 only (M6)	10Nm
† Copperslip grease must be used.
* Loctite threadlocker (243 or 248 Stick) must be used.

Which size shock bolt goes on which shock mount?

Shock bolts come in 2 sizes, 27mm and 30mm. 222's, 7+'s and 2003 Patriots have 30mm either mount, the rest have 27mm front and 30mm rear. Make sure you check the lengths of the shock bolts before you re-install your rear shock. If you mix them up you are in danger of ovalising the shock mounts as the shock will not be correctly tightened.