New Orange DH bike actually looks different from the last three Orange DH bikes!

Orange have stunned the bike industry with the launch of a new downhill bike that doesn’t look exactly the same as their last three downhill bikes. And by “not exactly the same”, we mean “very slightly different”. Think we’re joking? How’s about this for a game of ‘spot the difference’…

Orange 222 (model year 2001-2003)

Orange 223 (2004-2005)

Orange 224 / 224 Evo (2006-2012)

Orange 322 (2013-)

Of course, we’re not being entirely serious – the downtube-piercing shock on the 322 is all-new and we know the 22- series bikes actually changed a lot over the years, too. The 224 may have the same basic silhouette as the 222 but Orange changed the pivot location, made the geometry slacker and longer, increased and then decreased travel, and shed plenty of weight. They even experimented with a swing link on the 225, but that never made it to production.

The British company have always stuck with the same single-pivot suspension setup, but why not? The 22X series bikes have three World Cup series wins under their belt – 2001 (Greg Minnaar), 2002 (Steve Peat) and 2004 (Peaty again), plus numerous national titles, so why change a successful formula?

The new 322′s a definite departure, though, with its lower shock and pivot. The result is a more progressive spring rate and a lower centre of gravity. It’s got a new number at the start of its name and everything! More info, including specs and prices, on the Orange website. Check out the video first look below, by BikeRadar.

Source: BikeRadar