Orange PHASE MX FACTORY Review

In the automotive and motorcycle world, Japan has always had a reputation for being a breeding ground for excellent engines. Shimano is doing its utmost to live up to this reputation in the e-bike world with the EP801 engine. 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 FACTORY 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 fantastic 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. Whoever wants to ride fast, needs good brakes. The Shimano brakes are equipped with four pistons and large brake rotors. That way, the premium brakes decelerate more than adequately. At the drivetrain components and the rest of the parts, Orange leaves almost no wishes open and only uses fantastic parts. The moderate head tube angle provides a good compromise between stability and agility when going downhill. The reach is also right there in the middle ground. 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. Of course, a low bottom bracket also has its downside. In technical uphills, the pedal can sometimes touch the ground here. However, we think: This is manageable.