The ST4 is a departure for us, both visually and in terms of ride-feel. This is a trail-bike, through and through and, while it’s happy on the steep stuff, where it excels is in nailing unpredictable trails at all speeds. Show it a twisted, rooty, slatey trail heading deeper down into the woods, or a ten minute, slow speed, pick-a-line, rocky Lakeland climb and it’ll conquer both.

The ST4 sits up in its travel, ready for anything and with a trail-tuned geometry giving telepathic steering control at any speeds – up or down hill. If you’re a dyed in the wool hardtail rider, you’ll find yourself going faster than you ever thought without sacrificing the pinpoint accuracy you’re used to. If you’re a full suspension fan, tired of the ‘buck and bob’ of some suspension designs, you’ll love the bottomless feel of the ST4s suspension that still allows 2mph power moves on previously impossible climbs.

Whether fighting the unknown of a dark 24-hour race course, pinning a trail centre’s black run on a rainy day, or just out to enjoy the ride, the ST4 is ready to motor.

ROCKR SHOCK CONTROL

Power, they say, is nothing without control. While you provide the power, the Orange ST4 is the new definition of control. Suspension is basically there to control the bike’s geometry. On a 110mm travel bike you would most likely expect to find a 165mm shock. On the ST4 we run a 190mm custom tuned Fox RP23 shock activated by our ROCKR link to give 100mm of supple rear wheel travel. By running at a 2:1 low leverage ratio, we can accurately control the stroke of the shock better than ever before and dial in the best ride quality for a whole mix of terrain.