The chassis on this bike has had more thought than many. Overthought no, evaluated yes. The geometry is almost perfection, we’d simply like a degree off the head angle, some cleaner lines on the cabling and a touch of swingarm protection. Speaking of which we rode this bike with two different swingarms and prefer the one piece look even if there is little to chose in terms of performance.

Our test bike had no chain device and dropped the chain on a few occasions, but production bikes come with one fitted. What we would like to see is some straighter cabling out of the downtube area but this is being super picky because the company have worked hard making the bike look good, which it does.

Orange have certainly raised their game on presentation the last few years and when we lined up the Dirt 100 bikes recently the Five was a stand out with its well balanced graphics and its distinct lines over what are becoming run of the mill carbon frames. It just needs that protection to keep it a bit quieter.

Elsewhere all is calm, and preposterously quick, in fact one of the quickest trail bikes we’ve ever ridden. The bottom bracket allows you to carve up the woods. This is a shredder.

More than anything though, the Stage Five has an absorbing ride characteristic, one that makes you want to constantly engage with the terrain, giving and taking, generating speed and lift. The beat goes on.

Frame: £1760

Completes: From £5500

www.orangebikes.co.uk