Patriot MX - spec - the ride

The Patriot geometry is perfectly on point with its performance orientated slack 63° head angle, forward looking 76° seat tube angle combined with a roomy reach (481mm Large) and lengthy chainstays, putting the rider front & centre and balanced on the contact points for perfect control, climbing or descending.

One difference from the analogue Switch 7, for the E.P.O. version is that we have lifted the bottom bracket by 5mm, which combined with the 165mm crankarms, gives just a little more ground clearance to reduce pedal strikes that can occur when climbing technical trails under power.

 

The low pivot position of the Patriot minimises pedal kickback, and drivetrain induced interference, to the point that it is practically negligible.  

The Strange powerlink gives a very progressive shock curve which adds to the truly bottomless feel of the Patriot, and easily allows the use of both high-volume air cans or coil shocks to suit a riders preference. Through the rear shock’s travel, the leverage ratio falls from 2.86 to 2.14. Looking at shock force, this means the real working progression is 25.2%. The frame's shock curve was developed so it maintains the fun confident feel that Orange Bikes have become famous for while adding the big-travel requirements of a progressive platform.

The lynchpin of this dynamic bike is the Strange powerlink-driven 205x65 trunnion shock, mounted low in the frame helping to lower the bike's centre of gravity and allow for a more neutral weight distribution whilst riding. A trunnion mounted shock runs on a full complement of bearings or optional bushings, both the trunnion mount and lower eyelet, along with all the frame pivots run on cartridge bearings allowing us to achieve as low as possible break away force, providing incredible sensitivity to the initial part of the shock's stroke. The shock and linkage mounting hardware is now a mix of titanium and aluminium. The titanium bolts are not only lighter and stronger than their aluminium counterparts, they are reusable in servicing where aluminium bolts need to be replaced. A small detail, but one that makes suspension checks and maintenance a much simpler task.