Orange Sub3 - Build Thread - now with pic

they did have a low b/b height for a year or 2, i had a demo sub 3 for about 6 months ( ) the low b/b didn't generally bother me but in somewhere like morzine i would imagine it would be an issue. you could however push the limit of the travel at the front end with a slightly longer fork which would raise the b/b a little.

if i see a sub 3 in reasonable condition for sensible money though i'd have one like a shot, the rp23 upgrade is definitely a good idea though.

The MrXC seems higher - but it is an 18" frame and I'm running 100mm forks.
I'm hoping the Sub3 will suit enduro XC races a bit better - not fussed about clattering over rocks
I'm considering running 80mm forks on it too.

There was a reasonable Sub3 on eBay - XT kitted - went for £230 I think

sub 3

low bb height wasn't so much an issue in Morzine but it was here!! Especially at Laggan!!

All sub 3's had a low BB height by the way and max fork travel was 100mm they didn't alter the geometry in it's production and mine was a 2003 model the last year they made them I think? For light XC it was superb and it climbed really well too.

If you look at the 2003 catalogue and the 2004 catalogue, despite the frame angles/dimensions all being the same - the fork travel range went from 63-100mm in 2003; to 80-130mm in 2004

I did speak to a guy at Orange about this t'other week - as to how the fork recommendations had changed - he reckoned it was a misprint??

Syntace P6 seatpost has arrived - 232g of carbon loveliness!
And the DA mech....

After a quick fettle and fiddle ......
Wheels and tryes are going to be changed - the rest is pretty much there.

It is so close - I can almost taste it.....

The wheels are off being built - and there's some new forks on the way....

So the spec sheet looks like this

Frame: Orange Sub3 16"

Fork: Pace RC39 XC (80mm)

Headset: Hope
Stem: Syntace F99 with Ti bolts
Handlebar: USE Atom Carbon
Grips: ESI Foam

Brakes: Hope Mini
Brake Discs: Hope ProLight 160mm
Brake Levers: Hope Mini

Shifters: M952 9spd - SRT800 3spd
Front Derailleur: Can't remember
Rear Derailleur: Dura-Ace 7700
Derailleur Cables: Silver ones
Cassette: Dura-Ace 7700 27-12
Chain: KMC X9 SL
Cranks: Tune BigFoot
Crank Bolts: TorontoCycles Ti
Chainrings: Pace 44T - Stronglight 32T - Tune Ti 22T
Chainring bolts: Alloy outers - Ti Inners
Bottom Bracket: Hope Ti
Pedals: Crank Bros Eggbeaters

Hub Skewers: Hope Ti
Rims: Stans ZTR Crest
Hubs: Hope Pro 2
Nipples: Brass
Spokes: DT Revolution
Tyres: Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.1 Evo
Tubes: n/a

Saddle: Selle Italia SLR
Seatpost: Syntace P6 Carbon
Seatpost Binder: Hope

Weight: 22.7 lb - at the mo - lacking a couple of minor bits
Should come in sub 23lb though

Pace RC39 XC have arrived - at 1382g save 150g on the RC38 LT - and bring the front down a bit.

Wheels have been built by Cannondale King - and are great - cheers Dan!

NOS Dura-Ace 27-12 cassette has been fitted.

Will need to do the tubeless bits on the tyres....
and fit the front brake lever - and maybe one set of pads
and the grips

This is gorgeous. Fantastic attention to detail. What a great job you have done there Sir. Great work.

That looks great! Got to love an old Orange