2009 orange 5

[magicmerve]

Hi,

I've just been offered a 2009 Orange Five bike. It's all standard suspension wise and has Hope Mono Tech brakes (203mm & 180mm).

Looks good from pics, but going to see it tonight.

If it looks all ok do you guys think £800 is a good price for a bike of that year and brand.

 

[HarryTheDog]

The trouble with old full sussers is that they have lots of bits that can be worn out. 800 quid is top dollar for that year but if lightly used and/or the forks,shocks and the rest of the bike have been properly serviced it could be good value. I would take someone who knows about bikes to look over it looking for loose linkages, etc. ask if he has any reciepts for service or is he himself a bike mechanic etc. I have bought second hand MTB's in the past and with one bike bought on e-bay found the forks completely shot cost me a new set. On the other hand I have had a couple of MTB's of e-bay complete bargains.

 

[magicmerve]

The trouble with old full sussers is that they have lots of bits that can be worn out. 800 quid is top dollar for that year but if lightly used and/or the forks,shocks and the rest of the bike have been properly serviced it could be good value. I would take someone who knows about bikes to look over it looking for loose linkages, etc. ask if he has any reciepts for service or is he himself a bike mechanic etc. I have bought second hand MTB's in the past and with one bike bought on e-bay found the forks completely shot cost me a new set. On the other hand I have had a couple of MTB's of e-bay complete bargains.

What would you suggest I should be looking out for?

 

[HarryTheDog]

If it looks generally battered just walk away a hard used bike of that year unless he has relaced eveything apart from the frame will probably be a money pit. look for tired springs, does it sag like a knackered horse when you sit on it. Are the forks and shocks holding air ( I had a set that leaked, scratched internals not seals) you will need a shock pump with a air guage on it ( if air shock of course) ensure no play in the rear suspension linkages ( I have never had a full susser myself so would not know how to test for this) Is there play in the headset bearings,bottom braket bearings, wheels bearings . I would have expected a bike of that age which had been owned by a enthusiast to have had half of it replaced by now, ie wheel upgrades etc. If he has not changed sod all since new I would expect it to be fairly knackered if regularly used. If you dont know much about bikes you may have to rely on what kind of person he appears to be if he can natter on about all the work he has done on it then it is probably a good un. I have seen these bikes of similar vintage go for as low as 375 and up to 800 but I have no idea what the state of them was. My son has a orange crush and loves it.

 

[magicmerve]

Looks like this guy is a bit unsure of what the bike does and doesn't have so in going to leave this one. Thanks for the advice

 

[HarryTheDog]

Could be he is a bit clueless and only rode it twice in 6 years. ( met that type before) then it might be worth it if he is the original owner, on the other hand if its on Gum Tree its probably nicked.