Orange mountain bikes is a British mountain bike company which has come to be known around the world.Based in Halifax, in Yorkshire, the company started with humble beginnings but has no developed so much that in recent years it has sponsored two world champions: Greg Minnaar and Steve Peat.

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. At the start, he bought bikes from Taiwan to sell in the UK using the company name 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. With him, Steve Wade brought his engineering background and his existing sheet metal company, both of which proved ideal for starting a bike business.
To start with the two men worked together to assemble bikes from parts imported from abroad but later moved in to manufacturing their own. And so Orange mountain bikes was born, with a name taken from a shortened version of ‘All Round Range.’ Today all Orange mountain bikes are manufactured and built in Yorkshire, apart from the cheaper range.

Orange mountain bikes really made its name from the sponsorship of the high profile riders as well as the Patriot range. When the Animal/Orange team used the Patriot bike on British downhill courses. It was the production of the Patriot bike which led to the design of the 222 downhill bike which created much publicity and awareness abroad.
It’s true to say that from simple and humble roots, Orange mountain bikes have come on a lot. Still a particular favourite of mountain bikers in Britain, they are also available in 26 other countries worldwide.

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