Orange presenta la sua nuova e-bike con motorizzazione Bosch, rispolverando un nome storico della propria gamma.
Utilizzata dall’ormai leggendario Team Animal (qui un video per i più nostalgici), di cui faceva parte anche un giovanissimo Greg Minnaar, nei primi anni 2000, la Patriot è stata senza dubbio una delle bici più iconiche della storia della Coppa del Mondo. Era la scelta di molti rider che correvano in DH o che semplicemente si affacciavano da appassionati al mondo gravity, che stava rapidamente trovando la sua strada.
Era una bicicletta versatile, estremamente efficace e incredibilmente veloce.
Tutti attributi che si ritrovano oggi su questa nuova e-MTB “E.P.O.” (Electric Powered Orange): chiamarla Patriot è stata una logica conseguenza.
Il telaio è costruito sulla piattaforma sospensiva Strange powerlink, già utilizzata con successo sui telai Stage 7 e Switch 7. Le caratteristiche di questo sistema si adattano perfettamente alle potenti e-bike moderna, dove la trazione è fondamentale.
La Patriot 2024 presenta una novità per Orange: è la prima E.P.O. dotata di motorizzazione Bosch. Il Performance Line CX è una delle unità più avanzate che ci siano in circolazione e siamo davvero entusiasti delle prestazioni che offre e di quanto bene si integri con questo telaio per offire un’esperienza di riding perfettamente in linea con la filosofia Orange.
La nuova Patriot E.P.O. è una e-bike mullet (o MX, come le chiamiamo in Orange) con 170mm di escursione sia all’anteriore che al posteriore, è dotata di batteria da 750wh e di controller con display Purion 200.
Il telaio è ovviamente prodotto al 100% nel Regno Unito, con la leggendaria struttura monoscocca realizzata partendo da fogli di alluminio aeronautico. Si tratta di una lavorazione incredibilmente complessa, in cui si fondono la tecnologia dei materiali con l’artigianalità delle saldature, che vengono effettuate da esperti operai inglesi con anni di esperienza. L’attenzione ai dettagli è così elevata che le viti del link e dell’ammortizzatore sono in titanio così che possono essere montate e smontate senza bisogno di essere sostituite ogni volta come avviene con le viti in alluminio. Per semplificare ulteriormente le operazioni di service e allungare i tempi di manutenzione, l’attacco cambio è UDH e gli alloggiamenti dei cuscinetti sono stati pensati per porli al riparo dal fango e dai getti della lancia durante le fasi di lavaggio. La garanzia sui cuscinetti è di 5 anni.
A livello di geometria, la Patriot ha un angolo sterzo di 63°, tubo sella di 76° abbinati a un reach abbondante (481mm in taglia L) e quote che offrono un posizionamento del rider ben bilanciato tanto in salita quanto in discesa. Lo Strange powerlink offre una curva di ammortizzazione molto progressiva, con un rapporto che scende da 2,86 a 2,14 nell’arco della corsa e che permette l’utilizzo di ammortizzatori ad aria ad alto volume tanto quanto quello di ammortizzatori a molla.
Per maggiori dettagli ti rimandiamo alla presentazione in inglese, qui sotto.
In fondo alla pagina ci sono tutti i dettagli relativi all’allestimento LE, già disponibile e le geometrie.
Se sei un rivenditore, contattaci per informazioni e condizioni di acquisto della Patriot e del resto della gamma Orange.
First things first: – The “Ride”
The Patriot combines agile handling and incredible confidence on big mountain terrain. If you’re thinking gravity bike with built-in uplift, then we’re on the same page. The Patriot is designed on a mixed (MX) size wheelset: 29” front & 27.5″ rear, with 170 mm of suspension travel front and rear. The MX wheelset has now settled in well with its combination of the fast rolling, bump absorbing 29″ front wheel combined with the agility of the 27.5 big-travel rear end makes a winning set-up that works well for riders of all disciplines and is fast becoming a standard. We now have popular MX models from hardtail to EPO eBikes throughout our range.
The ride geometry for the Patriot follows the Switch 7’s lead to give that sure-footed trail hugging grip that is so characteristic of the powerlink chassis.
The Patriot geometry is perfectly on point with its performance orientated slack 63° head angle, forward looking 76° seat tube angle combined with a roomy reach (481mm Large) and lengthy chainstays, putting the rider front & centre and balanced on the contact points for perfect control, climbing or descending.
One difference from the analogue Switch 7, for the E.P.O. version is that we have lifted the bottom bracket by 5mm, which combined with the 165mm crankarms, gives just a little more ground clearance to reduce pedal strikes that can occur when climbing technical trails under power.
The low pivot position of the Patriot minimises pedal kickback, and drivetrain induced interference, to the point that it is practically negligible.
The Strange powerlink gives a very progressive shock curve which adds to the truly bottomless feel of the Patriot, and easily allows the use of both high-volume air cans or coil shocks to suit a riders preference. Through the rear shock’s travel, the leverage ratio falls from 2.86 to 2.14. Looking at shock force, this means the real working progression is 25.2%. The frame’s shock curve was developed so it maintains the fun confident feel that Orange Bikes have become famous for while adding the big-travel requirements of a progressive platform.The lynchpin of this dynamic bike is the Strange powerlink-driven 205×65 trunnion shock, mounted low in the frame helping to lower the bike’s centre of gravity and allow for a more neutral weight distribution whilst riding. A trunnion mounted shock runs on a full complement of bearings or optional bushings, both the trunnion mount and lower eyelet, along with all the frame pivots run on cartridge bearings allowing us to achieve as low as possible break away force, providing incredible sensitivity to the initial part of the shock’s stroke. The shock and linkage mounting hardware is now a mix of titanium and aluminium. The titanium bolts are not only lighter and stronger than their aluminium counterparts, they are reusable in servicing where aluminium bolts need to be replaced. A small detail, but one that makes suspension checks and maintenance a much simpler task.
Handbuilt in Britain
Like all Orange E.P.O. models the new Patriot is a UK made frame, the latest development of the Strange powerlink program that we’ve successfully deployed on our EWS enduro models; the Stage 7 and the Switch 7 and now for the first time on an eMTB.
The frame fabrication is our iconic aircraft grade aluminium folded monocoque construction that we pride ourselves on. With state-of-the-art aluminium craftsmen who boast many years of experience, we think that the frames we produce today are the very best we’ve ever made and indeed probably the finest in the world. Manufactured from flat sheets of aerospace grade aluminium into individually custom-fabricated tubes, then seam-welded for each specific application, working in harmony with CNC machined components from aluminium billet, all meticulously modelled and analysed. All produced, manufactured and tested in the U.K at our own facility. It means we have a product that’s strong, durable and fully recyclable at the end-of-life cycle.
The Patriot frame’s features are the result of meticulous analysis and test rider feedback. A new 49/56 zero stack headtube helps improve both strength and stiffness at the front end of the bike, increasing the surface area for the welding between head tube, downtube and top tube as well giving us enough room to drop the downtube slightly to allow for a water bottle in the front triangle. To make access even easier new tooling was produced to create a recess on the top side of the down tube. The bike also uses a UDH gear hanger incorporating SRAM’s new industry standard and allowing a spare to be bought at nearly every bike shop on the planet.
Technology developed on other models also plays its part, the Patriot has an asymmetrical swingarm design similar to the recently released Switch 7, this swingarm allowed us to increase the bike’s vertical stiffness whilst tuning its lateral compliance, producing a bike with a direct feel but with buckets of grip.
Throughout the design process we were conscious of our reputation for low maintenance bikes. We made every effort to conceal most of the linkage bearings within the front of the swingarm, out of harm’s way and safe from jet-washers.
Bikes will come with a 5 year bearing warranty for the original owner and any original owners outside of that period will receive heavily subsidised pricing.
Bosch – A dynamic new partnership
The Bosch Performance CX drive unit has performed flawlessly for us in a long-lasting and ongoing testing Program. Working with Bosch engineers who have also had access to our prototypes we couldn’t be happier with the way the Bosch system integrates with our E.P.O. thinking.
While the Bosch drive unit offers up to 85Nm of torque, it is the way that it delivers the power that makes it so perfect for the Orange bike. With its fast off-the-mark acceleration, you get that instant feel from the powerful drive unit, but when it comes to technical climbs the dynamic eMTB system detects input power and cadence to modulate the assistance to perfectly match the trail. The eMTB intelligent mode is impressive to say the least, standing starts on steep climbs are easy and you don’t get overpowering slip-ups on loose terrain while its extended boost gives that extra kick of power when you need it most to get you up-and-over roots and stepped rocky sections.
From the hardware through to the software the Bosch system shows its class leading maturity. Their experience and know how really shines through.
The system is accessed through the compact yet extensive Purion 200 bar mounted computer. It is surprisingly powerful and will give just about anything you need to know to control your bike’s power right at your fingertips. It couldn’t be easier.
The new Flow eMTB app is an essential part of the system which offers a staggering number of features along with constant updates and improvements.
As standard, Bosch Performance CX has 4 ride modes – Eco, Tour, eMT/ and Turbo. These are all customisable through the Flow app. The app also brings features like eBike Lock, a navigation system, a Ride Screen (if you’re a Quad-lock kind of rider) and a pocket full of other features.
The Orange Patriot’s downtube houses the Bosch Power Tube 750Wh battery giving you plenty of distance plus as with all Orange E.P.O. models the battery is easily swappable for quick change outs. There is easy access to an onboard charging port for topping up the battery quickly and easily, while the battery is also removable for off-bike battery charging and contact cleaning maintenance – so you have the best of both worlds.
In the rare event that you have an issue with the Performance Line CX system, the customer service at Bosch is second to none, they will soon get you back on the trail. Very much matching our own philosophy.
The first model available will be the Patriot LE. Front: 170mm | Rear: 170mm | Wheelset: MX F:29/R:27.5
Priced at £8800 GBP | €9500 EUR | $9900 USD
Sizes and Colour
Sizes: S, M, L, XL Colour: Smoke White
Frame and Fork
6061-T6 Monocoque UK Formed Custom Aluminium Tubing.
Wheel Size: MX – 29/27.5.
Rear wheel travel: 170mm
Fork: Fox Performance 38 Float 170mm 29
Swingarm: Bolt Type Allen Key Head (Boost 12 x 148mm Hub)
Rear Shock: Fox Float X Performance 205×65
Headset: FPD 49mm / 56mm zerostack
Drivetrain
Rear Mech: Shimano SLX 12spd
Chain: SRAM NX Eagle
Shifters: Shimano SLX 12spd
Cassette: Shimano SLX 10-51T 12spd
Chain Device: E13 Vario Compact Guide
Bottom Bracket: Bosch Performance Line CX DU Integrated
Unless otherwise indicated all measurements are in mm. Frame angles are measured static, without rider sag. Bottom bracket height measured from ground with a 740mm Ø front and 708mm Ø rear tyre.
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