Orange PHASE RS Review

Shimano has become the biggest component manufacturer for bicycles thanks to its gear, pedal and brake components. It's clear that the Japanese want to shape the E-Bike trend from this dominant market position. 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 RS with only an average range.

No matter how tricky the ground may be, the extremely good Rock Shox chassis brings calmness and provides a lot of control. 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. 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. The low bottom bracket height is a party pooper for the handling on the trail. On other bikes, you are more centrally located behind the handlebar. 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.