Hi all. Where to start with this one? ....this has so many stories to tell!
This Orange Aluminum prototype is well known to the forum. When discussing the evolution of the Orange Aluminum "O", the Pre-production versions are often referred to as the 'Iceman'
This is the 'Iceman', so called as it has a Ice mans "O" decal on the top tube. Who is Ice man actually is... Nobody knows? Could be the nick-name of an Orange team rider, test pilot or Orange employee. Maybe it's a privateer racer taking the name from the top gun film... Maverick, Iceman, Goose etc?
As far as documented here, the only surviving Prototype Aluminum "O" - and the only one in 17" frame size.
The 1991 Orange 'tall' catalogue features a 19" prototype in a black and white image on the cover and a colour image on the gatefold inside.
The other 19" prototype is the bike featured in the May 1991 Mountain Bike International review.
Note how the decals on this prototype differ from the catalogue ones. Still badged as 'Prototype' at this point...The familiar Aluminum"O" script doesn't appear until the Mk1 (A9102XXXX) versions. These are Feb 1991.
The Iceman has passed through several forum members over time. Some of the history and images have been documented here -
and here-
My Journey with the Iceman begins back in 2021 when Calum @Cheshire1980 kindly sold me the frame when I was searching for a 17" Aluminum"O" frame to build a duplicate of my Formulesque Black "O"
Deciding that this was far too special and unique to strip and powder coat black, I eventually found another frame that went on to become "O"#2
boy"O"boy
This Orange Aluminum prototype is well known to the forum. When discussing the evolution of the Orange Aluminum "O", the Pre-production versions are often referred to as the 'Iceman'
This is the 'Iceman', so called as it has a Ice mans "O" decal on the top tube. Who is Ice man actually is... Nobody knows? Could be the nick-name of an Orange team rider, test pilot or Orange employee. Maybe it's a privateer racer taking the name from the top gun film... Maverick, Iceman, Goose etc?
As far as documented here, the only surviving Prototype Aluminum "O" - and the only one in 17" frame size.
The 1991 Orange 'tall' catalogue features a 19" prototype in a black and white image on the cover and a colour image on the gatefold inside.
The other 19" prototype is the bike featured in the May 1991 Mountain Bike International review.
Note how the decals on this prototype differ from the catalogue ones. Still badged as 'Prototype' at this point...The familiar Aluminum"O" script doesn't appear until the Mk1 (A9102XXXX) versions. These are Feb 1991.
The Iceman has passed through several forum members over time. Some of the history and images have been documented here -
The mystery of ICEMANS O. Early Orange Alloy O's!
I wont lie, I am a little obsessed with the Orange Aluminium O, not particularly the most functional bike, heavy, very rigid boxed back end (not to everyone's taste) and disappeared in 3 years (91-93). However, when it arrived in the 1991 season it was seen as a premier bike, with a Suntour XC...
www.retrobike.co.uk
ORANGE ALUMINIUM PROTOTYPE, ICEMANS O PROJECT..
Having recently been inspired by Sinnerman's Orange Formula, and Regan's Yeti build. I have decided its time to get this Aluminium O project started. Its taken several years to get the required parts for this. Ensuring that I get this build as close as what is pictured below. The Aluminium O...
www.retrobike.co.uk
Deciding that this was far too special and unique to strip and powder coat black, I eventually found another frame that went on to become "O"#2
boy"O"boy's 1991 Orange Aluminum "O" #2
Well, seeing as it's Twosday ~ 22.02.22 or 02.22.22 depending on how you like your dates! - I thought it would be appropriate to start a build thread for my own "O" #2 It all started here ~ https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/boy-o-boys-1991-orange-aluminium-o.380138/page-5 Back in 2020...
www.retrobike.co.uk
boy"O"boy
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