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Orange Bikes has revealed its latest downhill rig – the 322 – a product of honing the 22X series that proved so dominant through the 2000s.
Orange say the 322 is "the next step in our evolution of the long travel, single pivot design." Indeed there are some significant revisions, most noticably the shock mount’s placement through the downtube.
"Using a low pivot position allowed us to achieve the shock curve we desired leading to a more progressive spring rate compared to previous efforts. The resulting effect is a bike that can handle the smaller bumps and chatter with limited feedback to the rider, while being progressive enough later in the stroked to take the big hits without a hard bottom out," says Orange.
Central to the frame’s design is an oversize single pivot based on 32mm sealed cartridge bearings. A pivot based around two bearings ensures infamous reliability and ease of maintenance at little cost. The monocoque aluminium mainframe that characterises the Orange full suspension range ensures a light, strong and stiff ride that inherently lends itself to an even greater longevity of the pivot and its bearings.
For 2013 the manufacturer plans to keep it simple. There’s just one spec that’s ready to race out of the box with the very best from Fox Racing Shox, Shimano, Hope, Thomson and Renthal. Upgrades are available to fit bigger rotors from Hope, as are Cane Creek Double Barrel Coil shocks.
The Orange 322 will be available as follows:
Frame only at £2,399.99 RRP from July 9th, 2012
Complete bike in full 2013 spec at £4,999.99 RRP from July 23rd, 2012
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