Hardtail mountain bike fans got a double dose of exciting news this week, with not one but two steel bike releases. The updated Orange P7 lands with a populist offering that’s sure to appeal to a wide range of riders, while Reeb returns to its hardtail roots with a limited-edition prestige build.
The Orange P7 gets UDH and slightly longer reaches, plus a dedicated mixed-wheel frame
The Orange P7 hardtail has been in the UK brand’s lineup for more than 30 years. Last updated in 2020, the steel hardtail is a no-frills trail bike designed for everyday riding. Personally, I’ve owned a P7 since 2019 and have logged many thousands of miles spanning multi-day bikepacking trips and countless trail rides.
What’s new?
For starters, Orange added dedicated mixed wheel (MX) builds and refreshed the geometry a bit. Buyers can choose from a 27.5, 29, or MX P7, and the geometry is pretty consistent across the wheel sizes. All three bikes deliver a 480mm reach on size large frames, up from 460mm previously. Seat tubes are steeper by 1.5° at 75.5°.
Both the 29er and MX hardtails are designed around a 140mm fork, which gives the bike a 64.5° head tube angle, down half a degree from the 2020 P7. With a 150mm fork, the 27.5 Orange P7 ends up with a 63.5° head tube angle. Both the 27.5 and MX hardtails feature 430mm chainstays, while the 29er P7 has longer 445mm stays.
Orange P7 frames are built with Reynolds 525 chromoly steel and feature UDH dropouts and ISCG05 mounts for a chainguard. All cable and hose routing is external, with the exception of the seatpost, which has internal routing for a dropper post. Judging by the photos, frames feature a triple-bolt bottle mount on the downtube and an accessory mount beneath the top tube. There still isn’t a second bottle mount on the seat tube, presumably to avoid interference with seat post insertion.
Orange says they also updated the seat stay bridge this go around to give wide tires additional mud clearance.
Frames are priced at £650, which works out to about $890 USD.
Sadly for US buyers, getting an Orange P7 won’t be easy. Aventuron previously served as a distributor for Orange bikes in the USA, though that company no longer appears to be active. Jenson USA currently lists just a few Orange frames for sale, though they are all marked as “closeouts.”
In 2024, Orange struggled financially and sought an administrator for the company. With updated bikes, it appears the brand is on its way to recovery.
The Reeb Re:Dikyelous marks a return to hardtails for the US brand
Colorado-based Reeb was founded by Oscar Blues craft brewery owner Dale Katechis to “create unique bikes with a level of quality you won’t find in mass-produced models.” Fifteen years later, the boutique bike brand brings a hardtail back to the lineup after a five-year hiatus. To mark the occasion, 15 limited edition Reeb Re:Dikyelous steel hardtails will be produced at the company’s facility in Colorado.
“Our customers have been asking for a hardtail, and we’re excited to have one back in the lineup,” said Jeff Lenosky, REEB Cycles brand Manager in a release. That is, until these sell out.
The Reeb Re:Dikyelous is designed around a 130mm fork with a 65.5° head tube angle. The chainstay length can be adjusted between 420mm and 435mm thanks to the Portage dropout, which is UDH-compatible and also gives riders the option of running a singlespeed drivetrain.
The frame, made with Velospec tubing, features three sets of bottle mounts and utilizes a 3D-printed chainstay yoke that gives the bike clearance for tires up to 2.6″ wide. Like the Orange P7, all cable routing is external, except for the dropper post routing through the seat tube. A metallic powdercoat finish and throwback decals give the bike a distinctive look. Each limited edition frame is individually badged and numbered.
For the build, Reeb specs suspension and wheels from North Carolina-based brands Cane Creek and Industry Nine, respectively. TRP Evo X brakes and a mechanical SRAM Eagle 90 drivetrain round out the main parts spec.
The press release for the Re:Dikyelous hints that this bike marks a return to the brand’s roots, and Singletracks is told to expect “hardtail frame announcements” from Reeb in the coming months.
Reeb is now taking pre-orders for the Re:Dikyelous. Buyers can choose from four sizes, and the complete bikes are priced at $6,995.
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