Orange bikes is rolling out a fresh take on the classic single pivot design with the new 322, creating a bombproof downhill bike that performs. One of the first things you’ll notice about the 322 is the shock mount inside the downtube, which lowers the placement of the shock thus giving more progressive suspension. Meanwhile the simplicity of a single pivot on oversized 32mm cartridge bearings mounted to a monocoque aluminum frame provides maintenance and reliability advantages that the consumer without a professional mechanic on staff can appreciate.
While many companies are investing in complex materials and suspension designs involving multiple linkages, Orange put their investment dollars (or pounds) into perfecting and meticulously testing. The 322 evolved from their 225 and with years spent on R&D and factory riders such as Rowan Sorrell field testing and racing the 322 for over a year and a half, it should be plenty ready for its July 9th public release. A race ready full build will be released on the 23rd. Orange is only offering one build, but with some choice custom options such as a Cane Creek Double Barrel, eleven different custom colors from neon pink to deep purple, and half a dozen different rim colors.
