Help dating my Orange - OWMTBC content

OK Guys -serious business! Now that my entry is in for the OWMTB Championships I really need to sort out a bike to ride for the event. Not a lot of choice really as I have a mix of old and new bikes so I guess the Orange C16R is the one most likely to qualify age wise.

So how old is this one? It's got a 1" quill stem so I guess it must be quite old

Can Orange bikes be dated from the frame number?? Frame number starts A5020.....

Appreciate any help from you Orange enthusiasts out there

don't think its that old, my friend has one and it must be 96ish

96-97 era I'd say.

An earlier one has the seat post slot facing the rear a later one has the slot at the front ... 95 to 97 97-98

For what it is worth (not usually much), I reckon 1995.

I too think that's a 1995, size 15. I'm saying that from the colour and decal style, but I believe the A5 also backs it up. I think they continued with 1" steerers until at least 1997 BTW.

Excellent example incidentally, could just do with the C-16R decal on the top tube, that's all.

daj":1c62ys4o said:

An earlier one has the seat post slot facing the rear a later one has the slot at the front ... 95 to 97 97-98

Click to expand...

Yep - post slot definitely faces rear!

And Anthony - I hadn't actually noticed that there was no C16R decal on that side. Strangely the decals on the non drive side are complete and much better condition. Looks like I shall have to get a new set of decals for the non drive side

I'm struggling a little with the fit for me on this bike - you'll see from my signature I'm looking for a shorter stem for it. Current one is 120mm but I could do with 90mm or 100mm and/or an in line seatpost just to make the reach more comfortable.

I want to have parts that are in keeping though rather than overtly modern bits.

Thanks for your help everyone! If I can settle on 1995 as a date maybe I can ride it at OWMTBC with a reasonably clear conscience!

I'd say 1995

CAS":1u5h1r0p said:

I'm struggling a little with the fit for me on this bike - you'll see from my signature I'm looking for a shorter stem for it. Current one is 120mm but I could do with 90mm or 100mm and/or an in line seatpost just to make the reach more comfortable.
I want to have parts that are in keeping though rather than overtly modern bits.

Click to expand...

I found my size 19 a little too long, and eventually found a very tasteful Salsa quill stem which I think is 90mm. Not that easy to find in 1" second-hand I guess, but certainly did the trick and looked the part. They still make them, but they're not that cheap when you buy them new! http://www.salsacycles.com/stems.html

Anthony":2quu917x said:

CAS":2quu917x said:

I'm struggling a little with the fit for me on this bike - you'll see from my signature I'm looking for a shorter stem for it. Current one is 120mm but I could do with 90mm or 100mm and/or an in line seatpost just to make the reach more comfortable.
I want to have parts that are in keeping though rather than overtly modern bits.

Click to expand...

I found my size 19 a little too long, and eventually found a very tasteful Salsa quill stem which I think is 90mm. Not that easy to find in 1" second-hand I guess, but certainly did the trick and looked the part. They still make them, but they're not that cheap when you buy them new! http://www.salsacycles.com/stems.html

Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion -I'll have a look!