Orange RX9 RS Gravel Bike Photo Album Review

Released for 2019 is the all new Orange RX9 RS gravel bike. Full of all the features we enjoyed in the 2018 version, it’s nice to see a few new upgrades to keep this bike up to date with the market trends.

The Orange RX9 hits that perfect sweet spot for an all-road-off-road machine. It’s well-mannered on tarmac but really comes into its own when you turn down those unexplored trails you always wanted to check out. Confident off-road geometry means the Orange RX9 is reassuringly capable for a drop bar bike.

Designed in Britain, the RX9 comes with a 5 year frame warranty, so you don’t have to worry about it getting knocked about.

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The Features:

The responsive and comfortable double-butted alloy frame features a low 30.9 seat tube for plenty or stand over. Meanwhile, a 142 x 12mm bolt-through rear and 15mm bolt-through fork keeps things feeling sturdy and the handling snappy. The carbon fork and updated frame come with improved cable routing, keeping them nicely out of the way.

The frame has internal dropper post compatibility too, so you can spec an RX9 to be as wild as you like. You’ve plenty of tyre choice too, with carefully shaped stays to allow up to 42mm 700c or a large volume 650b set-up. Though it comes with WTB Riddler 700×37 TCS Tan as standard which gently compliments the sleek black colour scheme.

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Flat mount standard disc mount keeps things tidy and accessible for running panniers and mudguards – great for going the distance whatever the weather. The bike comes with Kore Rivera Thermo pedals and plenty of space for you to fit any mudguards you had in mind. A shimano 105 rear mech gives you 11 speeds to choose from when you’re rolling along on the road or trails.

Comfortable grips give the hands plenty of support if you’re getting bumped around while an Easton finishing kit keeps the quality of the stem, handlebar, and seat post high. The geometry of the Orange RX9 is much slacker than that of an all out road bike giving you the comfort you need, but offering enough agility if you’re out riding flat out on the tarmac.

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Verdict:

Comfortable, efficient and very well spec’d. This bike is worth every penny. Certainly not at the cheap end of the market, but you’ll thank yourself for the quality. Orange have carried through all the features we’d want to see on an all road gravel bike, and it won’t let you down!

Though we don’t stock the Orange bikes online, we have a demo in store and the online sales team can source one should you want to give it a go.