Orange PHASE MX AXS Review

Shimano motors remain at the top of the engine popularity alongside Bosch motors. No wonder, as evidenced by EP801. Even nasty steep sections are effortlessly climbed by the motor. The Shimano EP801 conveys a riding feeling. Fans of XXL tours are greatly restricted by the PHASE MX AXS with only an average range.

The chassis, besides the motor and battery, is one of the most expensive components of an EMTB. With the golden shine Fox suspension elements, Orange doesn't skimp in this area. Thanks to an excellent function, the entire bike lies comfortably on the track when it goes downhill. Setup-Nerds can squeeze out the maximum performance from the chassis thanks to the many setting options. The thick 38mm stanchions on the fork provide an extra dose of steering precision and performance. At the brakes, Orange instals upper class brakes with four pistons and 2 millimeter rotors from SRAM. A nice touch: The gear and components are on a very good level. When it comes to the geometry, Orange does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. Furthermore, the bike lies excellent on the trail thanks to its low bottom bracket and thus low centre of gravity. Short chainstays and and a slack seat angle make the front end light in steep climbs. To keep the front wheel on the ground, you need to consciously lean forward. Overall, the Orange developers have done a great job with a very god geometry. We love deep bottom brackets, as long as it's going downhill. Uphill you need to be aware that the crank can sometimes hit the ground.