Orbit Routier

[Tboycyber]

Hi new here.
Just picked up the Oribit bike. Can't find much info about it. Needs a bit of work but rides great.

Anyone know anything about it?

 

[bikeworkshop]

We sold a few of these new 90s - probably came to us from Orbit in Sheffield as frameset, to build up as an expedition tourer with 26" wheels, which was popular before the 29er brought us super strong 700 rims.
Simon Gershon was in charge at that point

 

[doctor-bond]

I remember having an Orbit brochure in the late 80s; there were some sloping top tube models and the Frontier model is similar to yours.

This looks earlier with cut out lugs, down tube shifter braze-ons, and roadie top tube guides (although the uni-crown fork is more what you’d expect). The oversize seat stay caps are very cool - a Raleigh SBDU signature. Wonder if the frame builder had history there?

Anyway, that’s not much help, bit it’s a cool and unusual frame.

 

[doctor-bond]

So, bit of Googling as it’s pissing down and the hounds refuse to go out for a run, your frame is very similar to 80s Orbit tourers built by Parker Thompson. Run a search against his name and there’s some more links in the road section here.

 

[Tboycyber]

Thanks for your help it's a lovely bike to ride. Think it's a keeper.