[Transcend]

So it's finally got a few dozen test laps in on it from California to Washington to BC.

This is looking to be more and more production now. New linkage, new shock mounts, tweaked geometry.

Extremely low leverage ratio linkage, much more linear than the last prototype. 10.5" x 3.5" RC4 with a 250 lb spring.

 

[bdamschen]

holy machined dropout. Cool.

 

[monkeyfcuker]

What is the geo?

No idler? Still running a chain?

 

[norbar]

250lbs with a 10.5 shock? How much travel?

Linear I think is the way they should go. They dial the susp and they'll be golden.

 

[Transcend]

Travel is just under 8" on this particular prototype.

 

[bansheefr]

Looks cool I guess. Cable routing tabs on the side of the downtube don't look like fun.

Any adjustability to this model like the past 224's? Also is it safe to assume the angled headtube sleeve was carried over to this one?

 

[time-bomb]

Ah, thank god. It's Friday afternoon and it is a terribly slow day at work......super bored. I needed some good bike porn. Thank you.

It is cool to see the evolution of this frame. It would be even cooler to see some of the previous versions side by side just see the "time line". Very interested in hearing more about the specs too.

Looking very good

 

[Arkayne]

why do I think "lawn dart"

 

[Transcend]

Looks cool I guess. Cable routing tabs on the side of the downtube don't look like fun.

Any adjustability to this model like the past 224's? Also is it safe to assume the angled headtube sleeve was carried over to this one?

Adjustable headtube sleeves are there. This particular one has a straight insert to test out the stock geometry, which is much better. Slacker headtube, slightly higher BB (we were all smashing them into things), slightly shorter cockpit.

The downtube shock mount adjustability will be returning I believe in a future prototype now that he shock has moved back there from the top tube.

 

[Transcend]

Ah, thank god. It's Friday afternoon and it is a terribly slow day at work......super bored. I needed some good bike porn. Thank you.

It is cool to see the evolution of this frame. It would be even cooler to see some of the previous versions side by side just see the "time line". Very interested in hearing more about the specs too.

Looking very good

Luckily, I have 3 versions of this proto lying around, including 2 of them built up. I'll shoot some pics in a bit.

Here is the "A" version of the prototype, for lack of a better description.

 

[scottishmark]

No idler? Still running a chain?

ssshhhhh no ones meant to know that!

 

[Transcend]

ssshhhhh no ones meant to know that!

A belt drive is incredibly inefficient. We tried it.

 

[no skid marks]

No idler? Still running a chain?

Why would it need an idler when the pivot is inline with the top of the chain?
The origonal 222 would have been good with an idler, and a better evoloution in my eyes.

 

[Slater]

Why would it need an idler when the pivot is inline with the top of the chain?

Physics.

 

[rockofullr]

Physics.

Derp, no.

Maybe you should crack open the high school physics book and learn yourself about moment arms and such

 

[Uncle Cliffy]

Was this bike sitting in the Unreal booth at S.O.? The neon-marking paint frame was nutty...

 

[Steve M]

Derp, no.

Maybe you should crack open the high school physics book and learn yourself about moment arms and such

Actually he's right. Maybe you're the one who needs to have a look at some basic physics, as well as noting that the chain line only passes through the pivot (not that it actually means anything) at top-out.

Anyway who cares, that stuff doesn't mean all that much - <8" of travel out of a 3.5" stroke shock is IMO just silly though, there's no actual practical benefit by that stage, especially with an RC4. Knowing Orange, the geometry will still be rad and it'll sell by the boatload regardless.

 

[Transcend]

Was this bike sitting in the Unreal booth at S.O.? The neon-marking paint frame was nutty...

It was at the Unique booth, yes. They are the US distributor and were keeping an eye on 2 of them for us. The pink one is another one of our team bikes, and is the "B" prototype, somewhere between the blue one and the raw one i had last season.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Fraser that thing looks great...simple and clean. One of the best looking bikes I have seen this season thus far...To hear it's riding well is great...

 

[monkeyfcuker]

No idler? Still running a chain?

ssshhhhh no ones meant to know that!

Haha defo the salesman of the year, the look on your face was priceless!

 

[BmxConvert]

It was at the Unique booth, yes. They are the US distributor and were keeping an eye on 2 of them for us. The pink one is another one of our team bikes, and is the "B" prototype, somewhere between the blue one and the raw one i had last season.

Are you Unique and Zed both the same?
Unique is out of Ashland and I know that's who got us our frames when I had my shop.
I'd not heard of Zed Sports but they are listed as the distributor now and are also based out of Ashland.

 

[time-bomb]

Luckily, I have 3 versions of this proto lying around, including 2 of them built up. I'll shoot some pics in a bit.

Here is the "A" version of the prototype, for lack of a better description.

Mmmmmm, I am digging the raw. I wish MFGs would offer this as an option w/a sticker kit so you could get a custom look if you wanted. It has been a looooong time since I have been on a single pivot. I am getting very interested again. These do look like fun bikes to ride.

 

[trib]

Santa cruz are offering a clearcoat this year, http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/04/22/santa-cruz-bikes-get-new-color-for-2011-no-more-anodized-options/#more-17146

 

[Transcend]

Are you Unique and Zed both the same?
Unique is out of Ashland and I know that's who got us our frames when I had my shop.
I'd not heard of Zed Sports but they are listed as the distributor now and are also based out of Ashland.

I think there was a name change or something, ya. It's 2 english guys originally from Halifax, up the street from the factory in the UK.

 

[Chaingangster]

Looks like some APP patent infringement to me...

 

[P.T.W]

Looks like some APP patent infringement to me...

OMG....Dont you start

 

[HAB]

Cool.

What tires are those on the blue one in the first picture?

 

[Transcend]

Cool.

What tires are those on the blue one in the first picture?

Some new Specialized tires the team was testing on and off the last season and a bit.

 

[HAB]

Some new Specialized tires the team was testing on and off the last season and a bit.

Cool. I was worried I was loosing my bike dork, I couldn't tell what they were.


Tread looks interesting. Any idea if they're production bound?

 

[Transcend]

Tread looks sort of like a cross between an ardent (cornering knobs) and a minion.

 

[IH8Rice]

wow, with "super low leverage ratio" thrown around, im surprised the resident experts havent chimed in on this yet.

 

[Kanye West]

Bet that thing is stable as stiff as hell, but I can't help but look at the linkage with the rest of the frame and think "afterthought".

 

[rockofullr]

Actually he's right. Maybe you're the one who needs to have a look at some basic physics, as well as noting that the chain line only passes through the pivot (not that it actually means anything) at top-out.

You suck at life. Trying to talk trash on my physics skilz.

As long as the moment arm of the rear end is essentially in line with the force exerted by the chain (which, IMHO, this design has accomplished) then there will be very little force transferred to the suspension. Therefore it does not need an idler.

And yes as the bike compresses, the chain line and the pivot are not as well lined up, but really how much pedaling do you do while your bike is at full squish?

Even the magical VPP design transfers pedaling force through the chain to the suspension but nobody ever suggests that the V-10 needs a pulley.

My e-nalysis is complete, thank you.

 

[yetihenry]

Bet that thing is stable as stiff as hell, but I can't help but look at the linkage with the rest of the frame and think "afterthought".

After 10 or so years of 22x development? You're probably right!

 

[FlipFantasia]

that's one of the ugliest Orange's ever, they used to be nice and svelte looking....

 

[Transcend]

Bet that thing is stable as stiff as hell, but I can't help but look at the linkage with the rest of the frame and think "afterthought".

It sort of is. The idea was to take the proven 224, tweak the geometry slightly, and get rid of the mid travel deadspot that 224s suffered from with every and any shock. It accomplishes this nicely. Now they are just finishing up tuning the shock curve to their liking.

 

[Bikael Molton]

I agree; aesthetics are usually low on my list of priorities for frames, but this thing is not attractive.

that's one of the ugliest Orange's ever, they used to be nice and svelte looking....

 

[scottishmark]

that's one of the ugliest Orange's ever, they used to be nice and svelte looking....

really.......?

 

[LukeD]

i don't think they look bad at all. the last one I rode was a 222/223. which one was it Fraser? high pivot, 150mm rear end, floater. It wasn't a bad bike but I refused to touch it after my sunday. the bike sprinted really well but that dead spot mid travel I wasn't a fan of. the worst part of the orange is the sound, although they did changed the tubing and monocoque since I rode one last. if the geometry is spot on for what I like and they changed up suspension, i wouldn't have an issue going back. they were built really well.

 

[Bikael Molton]

good point scottishmark