Orange RX9: Video trailer points to imminent release

We first caught glimpse of the new RX9 from Orange Bikes, a disc-equipped cyclocross bike, at Eurobike last September - well you couldn’t miss it really, in a blinding finish. There has been no news of an official launch until Orange today released this video which demonstrates the bike's capabilities.

Orange have used the ‘Thing’ tag for many of their in-development prototypes over the years, but watch right to the end of the video and they give away its real identity: the RX9. Orange is very much a mountain bike company and that shows in the direction of the video. It’s clearly aimed at converting mountain bikers to the joys of riding cyclocross bikes.

The boys from Halifax say it's for the sort of ride that mixes in your standard badly maintained roads, lanes with grass down the middle, barrelling down fireroads and off-road suff that's boring on your 6in mountain bike, all in one ride. That's just the sort of riding lots and lots of people like to do.

It uses an aluminium frame and fork with stacks of wider tyre and mud clearance, mounts and guides for disc brakes, plus rack mounts if you wanted to use it for commuting. And why not? It looks the ideal bike for dabbling in a bit of everything, commuting, exploring, ‘cross racing, off-road sportives... wherever your imagination takes you.

No more confirmation on pricing and build yet, but at Eurobike they were showing a £1,000 model with Shimano Tiagra/105, Shimano hubs on Mavic A119 rims and Avid BB5 brakes with Easton components and Continental tyres. We’ll update you when we know more.

www.orangebikes.co.uk