[Updated with Statement] Orange Bikes Appears to Stop Trading While Administrators Aim to Sell the Business

Jan 26, 2024
by Ed Spratt  
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Orange Bikes looks to have stopped trading as administrators look for a quick sale of the business and its assets.

After Orange Bikes made a statement saying it was working with specialist business rescue advisory firm J9 Advisory at the start of the month the future of the company is now looking more uncertain as BDO business restructuring partners have been appointed as joint administrators and the company appears to no longer be trading.

Both Orange Bikes and its frame manufacturer P Bairstow are linked by directorship and ownership with the appointed administrators looking to sell the two businesses and certain assets. It is not clear from the posting on Consultancy.UK if the administrators are looking to sell the businesses together or if Orange Bikes will sold seperately from its frame manufacturer.

bigquotesDespite the considerable efforts of management and their teams given sector-wide challenges, the financial position of the companies means that they have been unable to continue operating. The joint administrators will seek to maximise realisations for creditors in line with their duties and are hopeful that a sale of the business and certain assets will complete shortly, safeguarding as many jobs as possible. Mark Thornton, BDO business restructuring partner

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The Orange Bikes website is currently unavailable.

The latest update states the company's financial performance was greatly affected by supply disruption, increasing costs and the current dificulties facing the cycling industry. The combination of these issues harmed the company's cash flow and financial position which could not be resolved.

The administrators have said they are hopeful they can protect as many of the 44 jobs currently at risk and are aiming for a quick sale of the business.



Update with a statement from Orange:

Since reporting on this news we have received an update from Orange Bikes, the brand told us that the phones are still on with staff working to assist customers and dealers in any way needed. We were also told that this part of the process is taking a little longer than expected but there should be some good news soon.

bigquotesWe’re still here and our customer service team are still at Orange to take any calls or enquiries from the public or dealers and they have been doing so since we entered administration. There’s good news on the horizon and hopefully we’ll be able to update everyone soon. We appreciate everyone's support throughout this process and we’re looking forward to getting back to normal ASAP. Orange




Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,035 articles

134 Comments
  • 224 5
 I used to work for Orange as their Northern Rep - I left recently to spend more time at home and focus on motorcycles (my other love!) after 20 odd years in the bicycle trade.

You will not meet a more committed and friendly team at that company. They are as close-knit as they could be, they all ride bikes and they all work their butts off to do the best they possibly can.

It irks me when I read all the usual Orange bashing comments as I know everyone that has pulled together to create bikes that are some of the best riding bikes out there. Add that with the benefits of using alloy and manufacturing what they can, I still stand squarely behind them.

I hope they can sort out a routemap and get themselves back on the straight and narrow. And, if they do, all those folks that spread the love and crossed their fingers, be sure to treat yourselves to a new Orange!
  • 112 0
 You left recently - and the company folded. You were the glue bro
  • 63 45
 They might be your mates and a sound bunch of lads but if every time an Orange appears online and there's a barrage of abusive comments thrown at it, why do you think that is? They've been making bikes that no one wants for a very long time now and they've discounted all the negative feedback as 'haters' and 'trolls'. Meanwhile, other British brands have popped up to offer more desirable options and appear to be doing quite well.
  • 96 20
 @TommyNunchuck: The abuse is because PB has a huge flock of sheep that have never had an original thought in their lives. They just repeat the same shite over and over, way past the point where is was remotely well timed or funny.
I don't think Orange is in this situation because the PB masses took the piss. I run a manufacturing business in the UK and its been a tough few years - all costs have risen exponentially. No one has a crystal ball in these situations and knowing what and when to invest in your business is risky.
  • 40 3
 I currently ride an Orange switch 7. It took me a year to decide what bike to get as my next ride. I went through all the companies, from Canyon to rider owned brands like Privateer, Airdrop and Transition. I chose the Orange not only because it was the bike that fitted best, but because it was a unique looking frame had had design features I could get behind. It was hand built in the UK from a company from the North of England that I could identify with and appreciate their ethos. The history and the craftmanship of Orange speak for itself. As bikes, they really stand out in design and ride quality. I've rode Yeti's, Specialized, Giants, Transitions, Kona's and Santa Cruz. The switch 7 is hands down the best descending bike I've ever ridden. Hugs the ground like a true race machine and is reassuringly fast. (unlike me unfortunately).

I think Brexit has been a factor in this and it leaves a sour taste in my mouth to say the least. I really hope a buyer can be found and if so, that they can continue the company and uphold some of the same values and quality that they have been producing for over thirty years now. Much respect to Orange and and I hope the company and staff can pull together and get through this.
  • 12 10
 @TommyNunchuck: you’re not wrong , the abuse is a little absurd and unnecessary, but you’re right it’s a dinosaur bike that sparks no interest . I can honestly say the last orange bike I saw in person was Steve peats . And that was Almost 20 years ago . Living on the north shore and going to whistler about a 1000 times over the last 20 years , the odds are I would have seen one . A bummer to see any Buisness fold that’s somewhat of a Icon
  • 14 12
 @mxmtb: For balance, I was in Whistler in 2005 and 2007 on a Patriot then 2010 and 2011 on a 224. I don't hate the brand but I wish they'd make relevant, desirable bikes and sell them at a fair price which they have stubbornly refused to do. Sadly they've been left behind and it's like everyone other than the diehard fanboys could see it coming a mile away.
I currently have 3 bikes from other UK manufacturers who are still in business.
  • 7 0
 All the hate was mostly rehashing old jokes, people never came with something substantial. As a Dirt magazine subscriber from early 2004 until they went out of print, I developed a love for them. It was the brand all the good riders were on. Tracey Hannah, Minnaar, Peaty and lots of his protegees. Brexit must have made things a good bit more expensive and for a production company, the increased costs of energy and raw materials can't have helped either. I really wish they make it through. They're too iconic for the kind of riding I like to see.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: yup you’re right . Peaty wanted to win on an English brand after several years on GT . And the orange global racing team have use Greg , the Hannah’s and mcarroll

All the best bikes in back then where some form of single Pivot .
  • 6 2
 @Motherloose: buck frexit,
  • 1 2
 Well said.

Slacker.. Wink
  • 5 3
 @kipvr: Yup, totally agree. Complete clucking mess caused by uninformed idiots. Orange don't deserve this but that's life sadly.
  • 3 0
 I bought mine as I wanted to support UK industry. Had few in the past. They are a bit over priced but at least they are hand made, you can't say that about many bikes these days. Hopefully all works out.
  • 2 0
 @TommyNunchuck: Surely everyone wants an aluminium hardtail ebike in the £8,500 price range?!
  • 5 0
 @TommyNunchuck: if the abuse that bikes receive in pinkbike comments had any affect on the industry, headset routing would have been made illegal
  • 2 0
 @overconfident: And everyone would still be on 26" wheels
  • 1 0
 As a very casual observer, I've always felt that Orange was a quirky, lovable brand. I think the level of forum abuse has been unwarranted, but I think it all stems from one thing - the boxy frame section shapes. Santa Cruz moved on from the Super8 swingarm and refined things, but it didn't seem like Orange ever did.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely
  • 73 3
 A blow to UK manufacturing of true bikes with character, thoughts to all involved and at risk.
  • 32 50
flag f00bar (Jan 25, 2024 at 4:14) (Below Threshold)
 their steel hardtails were nice, but their full squish bikes look like they were made in the 80's
  • 23 8
 @f00bar: they still rode exceedingly well though.
  • 15 4
 @f00bar: they did hang on to those weird looking chainstays for too long. I understand the history but thats a niche audience your playing too. I hope they find a buyer.
  • 30 46
flag thenotoriousmic (Jan 25, 2024 at 4:50) (Below Threshold)
 @f00bar: a lot better than the majority cheap Chinese plastic bikes most people are riding today. End of the day you get what you pay for. Buy a piece of shit made for pennies by little old ladies wearing adult diapers in sweatshop in China or buy a quality handmade mountain bike made by people earning living wages in first world county.
  • 3 1
 @HardtailHerold: I never had an orange but had a couple other bikes over the year with similar elevated chainstays. I always thought they were nice. The bikes were much more quiet with no chainstay for the chain to slap against.
  • 45 21
 @thenotoriousmic: Uk is not 1st world country anymore.
  • 24 3
 @thenotoriousmic: wow, that’s some loaded stuff you threw up there. Maybe check your baggage at the door. I’m almost certain the car you drive, the clothes you wear, and that keyboard you’re pounding on are also made by those same old ladies.

It’s always a shame when a business goes under, but a business has to perform to stay solvent, and Orange failed to perform.
  • 17 6
 @ctrlmoo5: of course it’s is you silly goose, know your history, maybe go travel so you can learn the difference?
  • 4 2
 @sanchofula: Yea but for many items in life we don't have such a choice, even if we do making some good decisions is better than making none - e.g. can you show me an affordable 'normal' car you know is made with good labour practices?

Well you can with bikes, you can with orange and he is right, for instance Evil have their bikes made in Myanmar and the factory was accused of violently opposing workers unions and poor work practices.
  • 26 0
 @thenotoriousmic: You need to see what Taiwanese frame manufacturing looks like. They're the world leaders for a reason.
  • 5 1
 @TommyNunchuck: Aye, good old China is the new super-power, and they din't need to bomb anybody to do so.
  • 8 8
 @TommyNunchuck: agreed but Taiwan isn’t China. Absolutely no issue with quality built Taiwanese like you said they’re best in the world. China is the exact opposite of that. The absolute lowest quality made as cheaply as possible.
  • 7 7
 @ctrlmoo5: still top five in the world so out 195 countries were still in better position than most despite basically having no competent leadership for the last 15 years.
  • 7 5
 @ctrlmoo5: sounds like something a Russian bot would say.
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername:
Name checks out.
  • 3 7
flag ctrlmoo5 (Jan 25, 2024 at 7:44) (Below Threshold)
 @sanchofula: Don't embarrass yourself.
  • 3 2
 @allmountainrider81: I live 1h away from Halifax in Steel City, MATE!
  • 6 6
 @ctrlmoo5: that’s why you think you live in 3rd world country. You know you can move to a part of country that’s not a depressing shit hole?
  • 5 0
 @ctrlmoo5: well perhaps you should visit somewhere that is not a 1st world country, then perhaps you might realize how fortunate you are.
  • 3 2
 @justanotherusername: We all have choices, don't blame the manufacturers if you make a choice that makes you feel unethical.

It's not my job to guide your choices ... do the research, and come to your own decisions.

All my bikes are produced by small companies.

I live off gid, I do all my own construction/fabrication, earth work, livestock rearing, trail building, etc...

Lots of folks go to the gym and sit in a cubicle, it's all about choices.
  • 2 1
 @thenotoriousmic: You clearly have all the answers, so I won't tell you to get over yourself ... but you probably should Wink
  • 2 1
 @ctrlmoo5: do you even know 1st world country even means.......?
  • 2 2
 @sanchofula: I think you agree and disagree with both yourself and me there, well done.
  • 1 1
 @ctrlmoo5: OK, that might be true, but he said, "first world COUNTY". So which county would that be?
  • 3 1
 @Marquis: Burnley could be described as not a 1st world county ;-)
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: lol how does a Canadian know what Burnley is? You get Brassic over there too?
  • 1 1
 @HardtailHerold: Weird looking? Have you ever seen a motor cross bike?
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic:

- Sent from my britPhone -
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: I’m not one little bit Canadian my man, Burnley isn’t that famous of a shit hole, the Black Country might be though.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: f*cking love Brassic, and I’m actually Canadian. Misfits got me on to it.
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: top 7 now… with the biggest pay difference between top and bottom earners. Basically there are a few mega rich and a shit ton of very poor living here.
  • 1 1
 @Bitelio: I think you need to look into your geography a little bit more lol
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Why doesn't shag their dog? haha
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: interesting haha
  • 39 3
 Man I hate to read this. Cool brand that had a shit hand dealt to them between brexit, hyper inflation, and the bike industry laid flat on its back. All you wankers joking the looks of there bikes, read the room. All of you should go start a brand and keep it going as long as they have. All while paying there fellow countrymen a living wage to make the frames in country. It ain't easy! We all love to ride bikes and we should all be sad to see a good mom and pop brand go out.
  • 20 0
 Good luck, Orange!
  • 10 0
 I literally just bought an Orange Evo 6, and like 3 days later I saw the going bankrupt news. I never miss with bad timing. It's the most unique and odd bike I've ever owned, I love that about it. Head turner.
  • 5 0
 Ive had 5 Orange bikes and loved riding everyone of them . They were never the best looking or best riding but they were FUN ! and the neon colours were the only colours to have. I think they lost their way a few years back and also the way they were costed . I really hope a new buyer can befound and the team brought back together to make a few of the frames at least . Good luck to them and fingers crossed.
  • 1 0
 Just got a Switch 6 as a warranty for a Crush. Lovely looking bike and now probably the only one and colour the UK. It blows through the suspension but TF are on the case with a custom tune and some upgrades and it will ride like a dream with low maintenance.
  • 5 0
 Can someone explain how they are able to protect jobs, if the company is ceasing trading? Does this simply mean they're looking for new ownership, and will still exist in some form in the future i.e. under a different name?
  • 1 0
 This seems to be what they're aiming for, fingers crossed.
  • 1 0
 Yea that’s what they mean. I think their goal is always to sell the company whole and keep it operating before resorting to just liquidating any assets.
  • 2 1
 If they are in dire financial distress then the company valuation on profit or ebitda may be near worthless, so in order to extract as much value as possible to repay creditors companies in such a position are often sold on a valuation of assets, essentially physical inventory, brand value, equipment and IP. So they need to stabilize the assets to evaluate. Unless a private investor or group of investors steps up I doubt the brand and IP is worth much to any existing major brand. I could see someone buying the brand assets but shifting manufacturing overseas. Time will tell.
  • 4 1
 @southshorepirate: Doubtful anyone would want to take the manufacturing of these overseas - they are a fairly specific construction which Orange / the overall owning company specialised in, nobody else really does it (maybe for good reason).

Its sad but if they aren't saved as UK manufacturers they will probably disappear or the brand name will just be taken and used for a different range of bikes absent of the Orange folded metal design.
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: For sure. When I said take manufacturing overseas I assume that would mean a shift in design, perhaps os far as to use catalogue fames with the organge logo on it.
  • 1 0
 @southshorepirate: I think you are right and that makes me sad.
  • 3 0
 They tried to make them look double diamond because that's what people recognize as a bike. Their bikes from 2000's looked much better with the pure monocoque, to bad they all broke from being to light and had bad geo..

When people say a single pivot is outdated I always wonder, have you seen a 2024 Moto GP bike?

Form should always follow function.
  • 5 0
 Good luck to them and thoughts with all employees and everyone else impacted by the uncertainty
  • 2 0
 I cant help but feel that other than looking different is thier any significant difference in the strength or weight of the frame using folded and welded construction vs just using round tubes. Surely the cost per frame in terms of labour is significantly more?
  • 1 0
 Not sure about the modern bikes but back in the day they were some of the lightest dh bikes going and single pivots are low maintenance
  • 4 1
 I hope Hope buy them and start using orange resources to start selling more hope bikes with less waiting times and a bit cheaper
  • 5 0
 Fingers crossed they make it work
  • 2 0
 That’s what I’m hoping. Great riding bikes. Everyone loves the Honda RN-1 just based on the looks and bash Orange’s looks while they’re basically the same design. I think a more integrated (looking) design would breathe new life into the brand. They’ve been doing everything else right.
  • 1 0
 A whole load of discounted bikes appeared on Start Fitness just before they stopped trading. I wonder if that was the final sell-off. If it was it’s a shame that the cash hasn’t allowed them to keep the doors open a little longer
  • 1 0
 Saw that too but even with those meaty discounts they still don't look particularly good value.. £3k for a SLX alloy bike with guide breaks
  • 1 0
 @tomo12377: agreed, but I reckon they’re the right sort of ball park if you compare to Bird, Privateer, Airdrop, etc. lower spec (but good kit), bit more ££, but locally made and supported. Up to the market how much value they place on the last parts
  • 1 0
 Ah this is a shame, I have had a few Orange bikes in my time, the Orange 5 was such a fun bike to ride back in day. That said I have not chosen an Orange full suspension bike as my ride for a long time and there must be a reason why even a former fanboy like me stopped buying them. I still have a hardcore P7 hardtail in the garage though.. its a keeper. I hope the brand can live on if they can do what they do best, but I'd hate to see it repackaged without its soul intact.
  • 1 0
 @edspratt Received the following from their latest newsletter:

"After restructuring of the business and its associated companies we are pleased to announce that Orange Bikes is set to continue under Ash Ball.

In simple terms, we’ve strengthened our position to make us more stable, we have plans to move the entire team to its own bespoke location – from welding to marketing and everything in between we will be under one roof for the first time in our history."

Good news?
  • 1 0
 Good news!

Thanks for sticking with us!

After restructuring of the business and its associated companies we are pleased to announce that Orange Bikes is set to continue under Ash Ball.

What does this mean?

In simple terms, we’ve strengthened our position to make us more stable, we have plans to move the entire team to its own bespoke location – from welding to marketing and everything in between we will be under one roof for the first time in our history."
"
  • 30 30
 Personally I am gutted about this. I have owned several Orange bikes over the past 20 years and loved all of them. My current ride is a Switch 7 and it is the most capable do-it-all bike I have ridden. Maybe now all of you PB retards will have to find another bike brand that you haven't even seen in the flesh - let alone ridden, to constantly bash and repeat all of the same shit about. I welcome all you dipshits to reply.......
  • 24 8
 I always think of Orange as the Jaguar of the mtb world. Over-priced boutique British brand with a unique aesthetic and questionable build quality.
  • 2 0
 @somebody-else: I've put the downhill bikes through hell and honestly been the most reliable bikes I have owned.
  • 5 2
 @somebody-else: Ever owned or ridden one, or just look at the pictures on the internets?
  • 4 2
 @somebody-else: I have no doubt, you haven't driven a Jaguar either.
  • 1 0
 @Freemij: Unlikely he has ever even seen one in the the real world.
  • 5 0
 @justanotherusername: ridden a couple times, local guy is a big fan. One of them was misaligned and the other 2 were fine.

@Freemij: I used to be the lead mechanic at a Jaguar restoration and service shop. Driven more than I can remember, but probably every model from the Mark 2 until the 5 liter supercharged stuff from the early 2010’s (never a XJ220 sadly). My personal car was a black on black S-Type 4.2 V8.
  • 1 9
flag justanotherusername (Jan 25, 2024 at 6:42) (Below Threshold)
 @somebody-else: so you haven’t owned one and you restored classic jaguars which have nothing to do with modern cars or the comparison to current Orange bikes?
  • 2 0
 @justanotherusername: my personal car was rear wheel drive v8 with a hitch made in the mid 2000’s, so modern-ish.

Can’t demo an Orange so I would never buy one. They were so small as recently as ~5 years ago that I never paid much attention to what they were doing honestly. I’m almost 6’4” and like at the sizing:

m.pinkbike.com/news/review-orange-stage-6-rs.html#geometry
  • 1 1
 @somebody-else: A mid 2000's car is not modern'ish' in any way shape or form, its almost 20 years old.

That review is from 2018 - its 6 years old now.
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: big screen, Bluetooth, better cruise control, back up camera, trans with more gears and newer emissions standards. Gas cars haven’t progressed much in those 20 years, they are still running the same onboard diagnostic from 1996!

There’s obviously many good reasons why Orange is in this predicament, some of which were not in their control. Who decides to do factory race teams after Brexit? That’s just ridiculous.
  • 1 0
 Having reached out to Orange and produce parts for them here in the UK, they prefer to have some parts made in the Far East instead with all the issues that brings. I do hope though they sort the problems out.
  • 5 0
 Good luck Orange!
  • 3 0
 Can't say I was a big fan of Orange bikes but it's always sad to see a company that's been around for so long fold up.
  • 1 1
 I wonder if every bike brand is best to follow the sheep pack as some comments have pointed us out to be, by making E Bikes. Everyone doesn’t have to do it. Maybe some brands are best to stick to what they know and let the others make em. Just a thought. I bet it’s expensive to design and make them.
  • 2 2
 It boggles my mind that something like leaving the EU is put to a referendum for the masses to decide. The average 'bloke' doesn't even understand the basic workings of a parliamentary system let alone the intricacies and impact of complex trade deals with the rest of the world. They should learn government policy from us and if you want to get things done right you get a convoy of asshats to descend on the capital and wreak some havoc. Oh ya right we infringed on their Charter of Rights so I guess that is a bad example......
  • 1 0
 Orange are back up and running and personally I'm delighted for them! As a registered owner, I've just received an email outlining they are back in business.
  • 2 0
 Aww man. I remember Muddy Fox made some of the early Clockwork frames for Orange. Both brands were the bees knees.
  • 1 0
 Perhaps they could come back, but just make their hardtails, streamline the business. The Crush, P7 and Clockwork were all fantastic.
  • 2 1
 If they just added a idler pulley they would probably sell a lot more bikes
  • 3 5
 Or boycott 29’ers. Since they’ve taken over things have kinda sucked
  • 1 3
 If they had not been asking so much for an aluminum single pivot bike than more people would be on one I bet. I love simplicity as much as the next guy but when builds were getting better and better over the years for less money with other brands, it was hard to keep Orange on my radar at all when looking for a new bike.
  • 1 0
 How about Mick’s Honda? It was also aluminum single pivot. Orange just needs a more integrated looking design and refined lines imo. They ride great.
  • 9 6
 Yay brexshit
  • 3 7
flag naptime FL (Jan 25, 2024 at 8:40) (Below Threshold)
 You can't down vote the truth....
  • 6 8
 I’m a consumer these bikes are ugly and I would never buy one now with that said is that abuse no it’s a consumers opinion if you don’t listen to the consumer and only your friends in the office this will happen to probably every company out there
  • 1 1
 Bottlecage compatibility. I would've bought an Orange every time in my last few bikes, but the lack of bottle cage in the usual spot was a deal breaker
  • 35 37
 A normal engineering company can raise money by selling assets such as tooling and machinery. Unfortunately Orange has only 2 tools in the whole business. A sheet metal folder and an ugly stick.
  • 8 3
 So how did you qualify for the ugly stick operator, is it self assessment in the mirror or do have to climb a tree and fall out of it?
  • 8 6
 There's only one tool in your household though - you.
  • 3 2
 A normal engineering company cannot simply repurpose their entire stock as office supplies.
  • 2 4
 @fatduke: I think if you're born in Halifax you learn it in primary school
  • 1 0
 @TommyNunchuck: Nova Scotia sprack?
Dang, eh?
  • 1 1
 It's funny cos it's true.... Homer S voice
  • 2 0
 Dang! I thought you were gonna say a bearing press and a stick welder but you busted out the nunchucks!
  • 1 0
 Class I doubt ill ever see the invoice paid from the job I done for them.
  • 2 0
 It does sound like you got the job done, rather than just didding the job.
  • 1 0
 now that they may go away, I want one, legendary brand
  • 2 1
 Did Orange Bikes ever try to make a bike with a linkage?
  • 2 0
 Several times, there’s one in the range right now (Switch 7)
  • 1 0
 Orange Has brexited bicyle manufaturing... so sad.
  • 1 0
 I'm not surprised
  • 3 5
 Well lets see once they peel back the outer layer theres a bit a juice left to keep this bike brand going.
  • 1 3
 Maybe they’ll be available on grainger soon
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