Orange Bikes has revamped their original hardcore hardtail to deliver, yet again, longer, slacker geometry, improving the strength of the frameset along the way. The 27.5″ model, 29″ model and MX are updated with a new one-piece chainstay yoke forged for enhanced strength to improve the frame’s lateral rigidity. Let’s get into it.
2022 Orange Crush Pro
The 2022 Orange Crush sees a steeper seat tube of 75.5°, bringing the rider further forward for a more direct pedaling position. Improving the pedaling efficiency was a priority for Orange; not only have they redesigned the geometry around that significantly steeper seat angle, but the chainstay yoke redesign, aimed at improving overall strength, also improved the rear end’s rigidity to make that power transfer from the drivetrain more efficient.
To further improve the frame’s robustness, the Crush now sees a tapered headtube to increase the size of the weld areas for the top tube and down tube. Orange are sticking with the 73mm BB shell for the strength benefits, plus the 148mm rear end.
Both the 27.5″ and 29er versions slacken off at the head tube, with head angles of 63.5° and 64.5°, respectively. Reach elongates, yet again; the large frames now boast a reach of 480mm. Those changes are coupled with a switch to reduced offset forks (37mm in 27.5″ and 44mm in 29″) and 42.5mm reach stem in an attempt to keep the rider’s weight forward enough to prevent front end wash out.
Chainstay length remains unchanged at 445mm on the 29er and 430mm on the 27.5″. Tire clearance is unaffected by the changes to the chainstay yoke, still plentiful with a max of 2.6″ on the 27.5″ and 2.5″ on the 29er.
Pricing & Availability
The 2022 Orange Crush is available now in the Pro model only, retailing at £2600 for both wheel size options. That cash gets you a RockShox Lyrik Select fork (140mm travel on the 29er, 150mm travel on the 27.5″), a SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM Guide T brakes and Maxxis Minion DHF tires with EXO casing on WTB rims.
