Orange mountain bikes have come to be well known and respected amongst mountain bikers the world over. From a small base in Halifax in the English county of Yorkshire, the company has grown massively to the extent that it has sponsored two world champions: Steve Peat and Greg Minnaar.

Supporting British companies has taken on increased importance since the economic crisis and Orange mountain bikes is a very British brand.One of the company’s founders, Lester Noble grew up in Yorkshire and developed an interest in mountain biking in his young adulthood. At first he rode bikes made by a company called Muddy Fox but he moved away from the brand when he felt they were becoming more of an urban fashion statement than a serious off road bike company.

It was at this pre- Orange mountain bikes point that Lester Noble first began designing mountain bikes. In the beginning he imported bikes from Taiwan to sell in the UK under the name of Tushingham bikes.Later when he met his now business partner, Steve Wade who is another biking enthusiast they decided to set up a business together.Steve Wade’s engineering background and existing sheet metal business was ideal for bringing in the materials and expertise needed to start the bike business.
Originally they worked together assembling bike parts bought in from Taiwan but later began manufacturing.This is how Orange mountain bikes, whose name is a contraction of ‘All round range’ was born. Nowadays all Orange mountain bikes are made in Yorkshire, with the exception of the cheaper, entry level range.

What really helped Orange mountain bikes make its name was the sponsorship of high profile riders.The Patriot bike was made for the Animal/Orange team to ride on the British downhill courses, so the company benefitted from a lot of exposure.It also prompted the creation of the 222 downhill bike which brought about a storm of publicity overseas.
It’s true to say that from simple and humble roots, Orange mountain bikes have come on a lot.They are a firm favourite with mountain bikers in England and abroad and are sold in twenty six countries worldwide.

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