Orange Five 06' - Good value???

[FR2DB]

Hi there everyone,

I am a keen MBer in general but am looking to get into DH. I used to live in Whistler, BC and used to ride the DH trails there but that was always on rentals or friends' bikes so I never really learned about the bike buying do's and dont's. My friend is selling an Orange Five from 2006 with some alterations. Would this be a good starter DH bike? I think he want's around £200-400 for it. This is the spec:

2006 Orange Five Medium frame
26" Mavic EX721 Wheels with Hope pro 2 hubs - custom built by Merlin cycles (cost £350)
Fox Float 130mm RL fork - Push tuned
Fox Van R 140mm rear shock - push tuned (spring 450 x 2)
Shimano XT running gear
Hope Mono M4 disc brakes - 200mm front / 180mm rear
10mm bolt through rear axle for added stiffness
Thomson Stem
Thomson Seat post
Easton EA70 Handlebars
Hope BB
Hope Headset

Any advice welcome.

Thanks,

 

[BertR00t]

Re:

Would say it's a great deal but DH on a five inch travel bike? Would buy it for playing on though.

 

[shedobits]

Re:

Seems like a bargain for what is a great trail bike but as has been already said you may soon find its limitations for downhill.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Defo seems a decent deal and it'll happily handle most trails.

 

[FR2DB]

Re:

Thanks for the advice guys. I mentioned icwas looking to get into downhill but thats a way off yet. I just want to get good at offroading and trailriding again first. I have a new Whyte 801 as my runaround but wanted something more springy and fun (that doesnt rattle the teeth out of your head) to play around with at the weekends.

 

[BertR00t]

I loved the ride of my 08 one, very entertaining. Lot rawer than the Trek EX8 it replaced but miles more fun. At that price it seems a bargain.