orange 222 (Orange Patriot)

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Product:	Orange Patriot
Date:	15/05/01 (81 review reads)
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this op is about the orange 222 bike.

Prototyped and developed during the 2000 season, this world class downhill chassis has been proven with podium placings in the Tissot World Cup Series. The 222 really turned heads when under the guidance of Team Animal Orange and particularly ‘wonder kid’ Greg Minnaar when it whupped some big names on the international circuit.

Evolved from the renowned Patriot chassis, the availability of longer stroke shocks allowed us to experiment further with the geometry. Then it struck us that by making the top shock mount adjustable, it would mean that the frame angles, ride height and wheel base could all be altered to suit any rider or course. You can get a super-smooth eight inch swing from the new Extreme Beam rear end. Just like the Patriot, the 222 allows the rider to grab a really effective power pedal stroke at crucial moments where other downhill bikes would simply eat up suspension travel.

The Horiz-Hold welded pivot with beefy 32mm bearings is still the key which gives us a huge handling advantage. Coupled with a bolt through rear axle, the 222 one of the sharpest steering, big hitting downhill bikes ever. It makes sense to keep things simple. Without complex linkages and multi-bearing pivots the Orange 222 is the perfect downhill competition chassis for a season of trouble free racing – Team Animal Orange mechanics didn’t even change a pivot bearing last season, giving riders maximum time on the course.

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