Orange confusion

[Russell]

Shimano introduced the 'V-brake' in 1996.

Orange stopped making the Prestige in 1994. They were made with Tange Prestige (bear with me) and had a cable hanger as an integral part of the wishbone at the top of the seat stays (cantilever specific).

How do I have a 'V-brake' specific Orange (no cable hanger) that uses an Orange Series 8 frameset, but is badged as a Prestige?

It looks more like a P7 frameset to me. Were early P7's badged as Prestiges before the P7 was officially launched in 1995/1996?

Are my dates all wrong?

Help!!!

(I'm off to watch Buzzcocks now)

 

[orange71]

Buzzcocks was great...sorry can't answer your question :roll:

 

[Stick Legs]

I'm afraid that I am a bit stuck on this so I'll quote First rides from MTB Pro No. 8 from April 1994:

"The P7 is the new model in the orange stable...
...A clelebration of 7 years of the Prestige...
...a gap in the market for a stronger stiffer version of the Prestige by going slightly oversize...
...the tubes are double butted series 8...
...to be honest the difference between the P7 and the last Prestige we rode is almost indiscernable, a small hint of extra rigidity seemed relevant in that we knew about it.."

That would imply that the P7 was avalible from early to mid 1994.
It also implies that at first the P7 supplemented the Prestige rather than replaced it. I would imagine that the bike you have is indeed a P7 as it has the Series 8 tube set. (my Clockwork has series 7)
The Prestige was always built with Prestige tubes as far as I can recall.
By the time Orange dispensed with the Cable stop the Orange Prestige was already discontinued as the P7 was then 3 years established and the Prestige had no real advantage over the P7.

It is up to you weather or not you keep it badged as a Prestige when you paint it black. Personally I would if that is what you want. Though there is no shame in a P7!

I will color copy the article and post it to you later.

Hope this helps.

 

[Russell]

Thanks Pete.

Its odd as the frame doesn't look as if it has been re-sprayed, and the decals look original.

I may try to make out the frame number and see if Orange can help me out.

The difference between the Prestige and P7 are pretty insignificant anyway (as the review says) and I'm just happy to finally get my hands on a decent Orange steel frame, but I would like to know more about it