The Reynolds 631 double butted CroMo tubeset lies at the heart of Orange’s best selling bike ever, the P7. It’s also the key to its versatility. It’s been central to the Orange line-up for over ten years. Today, it’s the same, versatile platform, gently updated to take advantage of new technology and to make it, well, even more versatile.

Want to cycle tour to Istanbul? Into the whole singlespeed thing? Want a super-tech hardcore hardtail? There’s a P7 model for you. For 2009 we even added an ISCG chainguide – so even if you fancy trying a state-of-the-minute SRAM Hammerschmidt, you can.

But what if you just want a mountain bike that’ll handle the trails? That has always been at the heart of the P7 ride. Deep down, it’s ‘just’ a mountain bike – and the beauty of mountain bikes is that they have so many uses: as many as there are owners. The steel chassis gives a lively, but direct feel, the versatile geometry allows the P7 to please everyone from tech-fest Lakeland riders to map-crossing all-day (or all-summer) adventurers.

Best on test here, the orange has the most no-nonsense approach - nothing too flashy, but it rides brilliantly with excellent balance.