Orbea is bringing its renowned European craftsmanship to off-road riders with its new 29-inch mountain bike. Larger wheels improve cornering and climbing traction, as well as improve stability. Its long top tube keeps the rider’s weight well-balanced. The triangulated and butted 7005 aluminum tubes, along with the s-bend stays, allow for a frame that is both compliant and precise. Aggressive geometry (including short chainstays) make the bike adept in tight, technical terrain. The 29er features the same artistry found on Orbea’s top-of-the-line road frames, guaranteeing it will stand apart from the crowd of me-too mountain bikes on the market.
1600g (19in frame weight)
Advertised Retail $649.99(frame only)
Submitted by
Erol
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfield, CT Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Strengths:
Light solid body. Great components. Avid Liquid 5 breaks are excellent, unlike others, they do not lock up when pulled without the rotors in place. Rockshox Reba front suspension is excellent. 29" wheels have a great advantage on rough terrain and also on flat road. 8.71 gain ratio at max gear - 10% more than equivalent 26" setup).
Weaknesses:
Cannot find a single weakness after more than 6 months of riding.
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Reba 29er, Shimano Deore LX FD- M570 front, SRAM x7 rear, SRAM x7 shifters - excellent Avid Juicy 5 hydrolic disk breaks, FSA V-drive crank set 44/32/22 teeth Carbon fiber seat post Zeus headset and handle bar Bontrager hub, disk lite wheels and 2.2 tires SRAM pg970 9 speed cassette (11/13/15/17/20/23/26/30/34 teeth)
Bottom Line:
An excellent machine both on and off the mountain. Will not use a 26" mountain bike ever.
Great choice for anyone who wants an uncomprimizing hard tail mountain bike and close to road bike efficiency for road riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tor Dahle
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: March 4, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Second Divide(Downieville CA)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Mike's Bikes, Guernville Ill.
Strengths:
My first 29'er. An 2006 Orbea Lanza 19". Stiff, fairly light, great on technical single track, very solid all around.
Weaknesses:
Tire clearance could be better. I think this is taken care of on the 2007 model.
I am 6 2" and I much prefer riding a 29'er. I came from a Cannondale F1000 SL which I loved. I think the Orbea handles better, I clear stuff I could not on my Cannondale and it just feels more solid all around. More stable at speed and also better technically, both climbing and decending. I don't think I am any faster, I just feel faster. It is stiff and responsive, I run it tubeless(Stan's). Resolution 2.3 front and Little Albert 2.0 rear. I really like this bike. As mentioned above the only thing I miss is better tire clearance for the rear tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jordan
a
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: January 1, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I really like the aesthetic, I get so tired of boring gray bikes. The geometry is perfect and rides great with the fork at 80 or 100mm.
Weaknesses:
Front derailleur tire clearance, matte white paint (yes, I know I did it to myself)
Bike Setup:
XTR, Reba, FSA
Bottom Line:
I really love this frame. It has all the traits and mannerisms that I hope for in a good XC bike, times two. The bike felt racy with the fork set at 80mm, I prefer the mellower feel at 100mm and the bike is still extremely agile. I think that Orbea's racing heritage shows even in their non-racing bikes, it's got everything I need and nothing I don't. The matte white paint is super euro, but it is hard to keep clean and my XTR derailleur BARELY clears my rear tire, but those are marginal issues. The bike is a champ.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Kuhar
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
BikesPlus Memphis
Strengths:
Read review
Weaknesses:
It is too pretty to get dirty.
Similar Products Used:
I own a Gary Fisher RIG 29er and Orbea 29 aluminum.
Bike Setup:
Irrelevant
Bottom Line:
My bike setup was described as irrelevant, because it is. If you are reading my review because you are seriously considering a purchase then I believe this frame deserves that you select components that are “custom fit” for your riding style.
Frame review: Stiff, no flex, every bit of pedal energy is transfer to the ground. Rear tire and bottom bracket clearance better than the Orbea aluminum.
If you want the best 29er HT frame, buy the Orbea Alma!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barnman
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM, USA Date Reviewed: September 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
South Boundary
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
3sports
Strengths:
I like it all. My setup is at 25 lbs., so it really climbs. The black looks good. People always ask about it. Yes, some paint has come off, but I've never had a bike where that wasn't the case, especially where I ride. If you run a 2.1 on the back, the clearance is fine.
Weaknesses:
The BB is slightly lower, but you get used to it. It doesn't detract from the ride much
Similar Products Used:
K-2 FS
Bike Setup:
sram xo driveline(xt crank), DT swiss TK 7.1 wheelset w/ 240 hubs(from Mikesee), magic 29 fork 100, thompson stem and seatpost, mary bars
Bottom Line:
I was told that I'd be going backwards by switching to a hardtail and using rim brakes, but I love this bike. It's perfect for me and what I do. The people on this forum have helped immensely over "guys at the shop." I don't race or launch off huge ledges. At 47, I like getting my rpms up for my health and cleaning challenging technical sections. I do enjoy the downhill parts, but more often than not, that's where I get hurt. Live to ride again. The Orbea climbs well, looks cool, and lowers your chances for the endo. I was going to go paragon, but Fisher raised the price and had some issues with frame integrity, so for not much more I got the Orbea frame and added parts I would've upgraded from the paragon anyway. I waited six months to post, so I wouldn't suffer from unfair bias of a new bike. I think the above with the ratings is a good and fair assessment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
greg weber
a Cross Country Rider
from frederick,md,usa Date Reviewed: February 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
wheelbase frederick md
Strengths:
This bike handles really well and flys up hills. Nice and plush for an Alu bike. Very confident decender as well. The big wheels make it real quick over the babyheads. Its real dialed, all the way around
Weaknesses:
The paint is really thin and comes off easy. Tire clearance is bad, can only fit a conti vapor in it. thats about it
Similar Products Used:
Fisher 29rs
Bike Setup:
Sram x9 stuff , bontrager race light wheels. race face next cranks, bontrager race light stem bars and post. conti tires...about 27 lbs. reba race fork (very nice)
Bottom Line:
A very nice riding bike, maybe the best i have had. I have worked in shops and ridin alot of bikes, this one is great. It is to bad the paint is cruddy and thin, because its a pretty bike with nice craftsmanship. The clearance in the back pissed me off at first, but i am in love with the conti vapor tires. Yes they are narrow but they hook up like velcro, even on snow and wet rocks. I dont weigh much though (145) and a big rider will want some more rubber under him on rocky trails, to keep from pinch flatting..I would say buy it if you are the light racy type, if you are bigger look elsewhere..be ready to lose some paint on the first few rides its that thin..This bike will look two years old by summer...lol..A great frame value wise..ill downgrade it to three overall for the clearance..you can get a kenda klaw in the back...but no room for an outa true wheel or mud..
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Submitted by
Mark Plagmann
a Weekend Warrior
from Tyler,TX Date Reviewed: January 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:
bringle lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
chainwheel
Strengths:
The high steerer tube make an excellent climber. Due to the agressive geometery of the top tube. The bigger wheels makes this bike handle like a dream. Not quirkie like a 26" I can really get this bike cranking. On the flats I can really haul.
Weaknesses:
There was some wheel rub on the rear triangle caused by over paint job where the skewer attaches. Removed paint problem solved by the "Chainwheel" Little rock, AR There is some flex in the rear triangle but just enough for a hard tail
Similar Products Used:
specialized, Ellsworth truth
Bike Setup:
XO ,juicy 9
Bottom Line:
I would buy this bike for my wife if she would let me! Then buy another one for me. With this bike I could keep up with Kwartowitz!! Maybe
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Riverwoods, IL Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Vapor
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Higher Gear-Highland Park
Strengths:
Good geometry for me-long TT-and a very high quality product throughout with great specs. Even though it's light, it feels very solid under a Clyde. Flat black paint looks great and is very durable - the bike just looks hot. Plenty of clearance for back wheel (see weaknesses)
Weaknesses:
Bike was shipped from Orbea-USA with the wrong fork (they sent the 26" Reba) and the wrong front deraileur. The fork was fixed before delivery. The wrong front deraileur was rubbing my back tire. Once the right one was installed, there's tons of room (over 1/2"). Chainstay clearance was always good for the 2.1 Ignitors - 1/4" each side.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Paragon
Bike Setup:
Stock (see Orbea-USA.com website for complete Sram build-up specs) except I upgraded to XO triggers and XO rear deraileur at the dealer. (Hey, if it makes you think you're faster- then you are faster)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike-plus the folks at Orbea were great to deal with (they spent lots of time on the phone answering my questions.)
Even though I think they've got a personnel issue in the "Pack and Ship" department, I'm very impressed with how they handled my problem with wrong parts. (They accepted responsibility for the problem and fixed it quickly). I'll do business with them any day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Kuhar
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, Tn Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
All of them!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
BikesPlus Memphis
Strengths:
Frame made by an internationally known frame builder of quality road frames.
Weaknesses:
This bike frame has limited rear tire clearance. WTB Exiwolf 2.3 rubs the front derailleur.
Low bottom bracket clearance.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Rig
Bike Setup:
XT, White Bros. fork, DT Swiss hubs, still looking for best tires to use.
Bottom Line:
Well constructed frame and paint. I got the white one, black is also available. Although it is a hard tail the ride is plush, I almost feel like it is flexing too much. I am an older rider (59+) so I don’t push this frame as hard as many riders will. It is interesting trying to “dial” this 29er in. The 44X12 combination is too many gear inches for me, so I am considering removing the 44 and trying just two rings, a granny and a 36T. The lack of rear tire space is a real downer along with the low bottom bracket clearance, (I bash too many logs with the big ring, no technique).
The first real test of this frame will come in a couple of months when I race 60 miles in Arkansas. I’ll post another review after that race. Take my Ratings below for what it’s worth, only had the bike for 6 weeks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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