Orange Mountain Bikes: The facts
This article gives an overview on the history of Orange Mountain Bikes, the different disciplines they make bikes for and the awards the team riders have achieved while riding for the company. It also provides you with a list of components that the company has produced.
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Orange bikes
The company was first established in 1988 and sold hand-built frames from the company factory in Halifax West Yorkshire.
The first bike they produced was the very popular Clockwork, named after the film by Stanley Kubrick. The bike featured a Cr-Mo tapered double-butted frame and rigid forks. It was sold as a cross-country bike and was often built according to the customer's specifications.
The Company still runs its operations from Halifax. Although only the more expensive bikes are hand-built today, the 'mid range' bikes are sourced from Taiwan.
The company offers an all-round range, which is where the name Orange comes from.
The company makes bikes for many disciplines of cycling and over the years as technology has developed, it has added bikes that are capable of more than one discipline, such as the bicycle Orange Five .
Disciplines Orange have made bikes for:
- Downhill
- Freeride
- All - Mountain
- Trail Bikes (Suspension)
- Trail Bikes (Hardtail)
- Park
- Jump
- 4X
- Cross Country
Bike popularity
The most popular and largest selling Orange bike to date is the Orange Patriot. It was billed as a downhill bike with multiple trail capabilities when it was released and still remains popular due to its history of Steve Peat riding it in the World Cup and Championships.
Branded clothing and products
Orange also make clothing which includes bike t- shirts, shorts, hoodies, socks and neck scarves.They all prominently feature the Orange logo. The clothing range includes wear for men, women and children.
Orange also offer branded products such as lanyards, mugs, water bottles and key rings, and components such as forks, handlebars, stems and grips.
Orange currently have distributors in 26 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, South Korea and America.
Orange team and riders
Orange sponsored riders have won the World Cup Championship in 2001, 2002 and 2004 as well as the women's under 21 Downhill championship.
Greg Minaar won the Championship in 2001 with the Global Racing Team on an Orange 222 bike.
Steve Peat won the Championships in 2002 and 2004 With the Orange/Royal Racing Team.
Tracey Hannah won the women's under 21 Championship in 2006 on an Orange 224 bike.