Orange P7

[Mr Scruff]

Ok, time to spend some money on my old P7, it's been on-road only for the last couple of years and I think it's about time to get back on the XC trails. Few questions if I may...

1) From reading the Orange website I know they'll re-paint. Mine's nickel, can they re-do this too? There's no email address (that I can see) to ask them!

2) Forks. It's entirely rigid at the moment but I want to add a little bounce as I'm not as hardcore as I used to be! Back when I were a youngster it was RC-35's all the way, is this still the way to go? I know it's a classic combo but what else has the 1" steerer that might be worth considering?

3) Linked to above, what length of travel is a P7 good for? Must be, what, a 1997 vintage if that makes any difference?

4) Headset - it's obviously a threaded at the moment but the stem has seen better days and the bearings may as well be replaced if I'm stripping the frame for a re-furb. Is there any benefit in moving to an ahead set? Will she even take one?

Sorry for the torrent of questions, I've just decided to re-furb the Orange rather than splash out on something new....

Thanks

 

[OrangeRetro]

The email address for Orange is sales@orangebikes.co.uk.

Their re-finishes are powder coated and will be fine over the original nickel finish. You will be able to get your frame powder coated somewhere else cheaper though. Just check out the yellow pages for coaters in your area. Orange can still provide you with genuine decals, they will be the modern ones though.

for a 1997 I'd go with RC36's probably evo's. As the steerer is replaceable you can get any set and then source a 1" steerer. The user JustBacked (Tim from fork english) on here is the best person to ask as he's the man for servicing older Pace forks and has a wealth of spares. You are really looking at around 60-90mm travel without upsetting the geometry.

I'd personally switch to an ahead if I was going for a new stem/headset and potentially steerer. The ahead system is far better then the old quill/threaded system..

Hope this helps..

 

[Mr Scruff]

Thanks, that's definitely helpful!

I was actually hoping to get the original nickel finish re-done (if possible), though I'm not sure whether it's worth it....

 

[OrangeRetro]

It unlikely that the nickel is damaged, it will just be the lacquer that will be looking tired. you may be able to strip it off and re-lacquer it. Don't use nitromors though.. I'm led to believe that it will turn the nickel coating black!

 

[jonnyboy666]

a while ago at the shop i used to work in i sent a nickel p7 frame to argos to have it renovated, they did an awsome job and i don't think they charged a huge amount. i know for a fact that orange themselves will not beable to refurb the original finish, argos is the way forward i think.

http://www.argoscycles.com/renovations.htm

hope this helps.

also, regarding the headset, my old shop, GA cycles 02380 636648 has 1" shimano xt headsets in stock and the can be used with an aheadset converter. forkwise you will struggle to find anything that will fit other than an original pace fork from that eira whether it is ahead or threaded.

good luck with the build, p7's are nice