Orange adds Charger to its E.P.O. range

New livelier e-MTB for the trails

Orange

Published: June 18, 2019 at 10:00 am

Fresh off the back of the Surge electric mountain bike, Orange has added another off-roader to its E.P.O. (Electric Powered Orange) lineup, the Charger.

With 145mm of rear travel, a 140mm fork and a Shimano Steps E8000 motor, the Charger is positioned squarely as a trail e-MTB, slotting in just below the Surge.

Beyond shallower travel, the Charger features a more nimble geometry than the Surge. The head angle and (effective) seat angle are both a degree steeper at 65-degrees and 75-degrees respectively, and the reach in a size medium measures 462mm.

On the trail, this should translate to a more responsive front end, and make for a bike that climbs well through steep, techy terrain.

Orange Charger
The Shimano Steps E8000 motor gets an Orange emblazoned bash guard - Orange

Orange has also dropped the bottom bracket height, now measuring 335mm, to make the bike "turn like it's on rails".

Spinning on 27.5in wheels with Boost 148 rear hub spacing, the frame is an all alloy affair and borrows quite a few design features from the new Alpine, Five and Surge.

With Orange's new slimmer e-bike down-tube the battery can be removed from the bike using a key, making for convenient charging and the potential to keep spares, so you're always ready for a ride.

Orange Charger
The Charger gets the e-MTB down tube and a removable battery - Orange

Orange says it wanted to make the Charger livelier than the Surge, and the suspension kinematics have been tuned for a poppy and playful ride.

At the back, the Charger sees a 230mm x 57.5 metric rear shock, which Orange says in combination with the swingarm makes for a more progressive leverage ratio than previous bikes to "keep the bike under control even when you're not".

Set to be available in four builds, the new Charger starts at £5,500 and goes up to £7,700 for the Shimano XT Di2 build. Orange is offering the Charger in nine colours, though anything other than the namesake hue will cost an additional £100.

Orange Charger
The frame is an all alloy affiar - Orange

Orange Charger Factory spec highlights

  • Fork: Fox Factory 36 Float 150mm 27.5
  • Rear shock: Fox Float DPX2 Factory 230mm x 57.5mm metric rear shock
  • Drivetrain: Shimano XT Di2 Shadow Plus 11-speed
  • Wheelset: Stan's Flow Mk3 + Hope Pro 4 tubeless
  • Brakes: Shimano Saint 203/203
  • Seatpost: Fox Factory Transfer 150mm Kashima dropper post
  • Motor: Shimano Steps E8000
  • Price: £7,700
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