(Photo: Orbea\/Iv\u00e1n Arribas)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe seat post is one more area of aero improvement for Orbea. Thinner is faster for seat posts, but one limiting factor to how thin a seat post can go is Shimano\u2019s Di2 battery, which is usually housed here. Orbea created a clever workaround. Moving the battery to the bottom bracket area allowed the brand\u2019s designers to thin out the seatpost and eke out more aero savings from the OC RA11 Aero Seatpost.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s great, but the home mechanics out there, and the shop mechanics who will have to service these things, are no doubt calling out that that will make accessing the battery a nightmare. Not so, thanks to some clever engineering. Orbea added an access port to the backside of the seat tube, making the battery accessible by removing the rear wheel. You most likely will never need to access the battery after installation anyway, but it\u2019s nice to know it\u2019s not going to require removing a bottom bracket or any other labor intensive task just to service a battery.<\/p>\n
In addition to being thinner, the redesigned seatpost also includes a reversible saddle clamp, and it comes in two setbacks: 0-10mm, and 15-25mm.<\/p>\n
As a note \u2014 not that this is unexpected for high end bikes these days \u2014 the Orca Aero can only run electronic drivetrains.<\/p>\n
Aero discussion: What\u2019s behind that 21-watt savings claim?<\/h2>\n Add up all those aero gains, and you get\u2026 5.1 watts saved over the last generation at 50kph on flat terrain. Yes, you\u2019re right, that is a lot less than the 21-watt figure Orbea is flashing in the marketing materials. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n
That 5.1 watts saved from the bike alone is just one part of the equation. The rest comes from improved rider efficiencies on the bike. Orbea took a total system approach to designing the new Orca Aero, designing for the fastest bike possible with a rider in real-world conditions, not just the fastest in a wind tunnel. Orbea says that when accounting for the added stability and improved stiffness of the bike, its real world speed is much greater than bike alone, saving 14 additional watts.<\/p>\n
That puts us at 19 watts. Where do the other 2 watts come from? Orbea claims the weight savings and stiffness improvement of the new Orca Aero save 2w at 17kph on a 8% climb.<\/p>\n
Every brand says its aero bike is the fastest in one way or another. You can cherry pick or massage the data in any number of ways to say that something is the fastest, so take Orbea\u2019s own claims with the necessary grain of salt \u2014 21 watts, after all, is a big number, especially by today\u2019s standards of aero improvement. And remember that\u2019s at 50kph, a speed not even held all the time on flats by the WorldTour peloton.<\/p>\n
Orbea\u2019s real world testing protocol does sound thorough, however. The brand described it to me as a standard course where they test different prototypes from Orbea and different competitors\u2019 models and hold as many factors constant as possible, even swapping in the exact same power meter for every test to ensure consistent readings from bike to bike for accurate comparison data.<\/p>\n
Bottom line, there are some considerable aero improvements to the fourth generation Orca Aero, but you and I most likely won\u2019t be saving 21 watts all the time far from it. One thing everyone will feel the same, however, is the bike\u2019s improved handling, which I\u2019ll jump into more in the ride experience farther down.<\/p>\n
Other notable features<\/h2>\n Orbea designed the new OC RA10 integrated handlebar for the new Orca Aero to enhance stiffness. The cockpit features internal cable routing and comes in 13 sizes: 360mm width\/80mm stem, 360\/90, 360\/100, 380\/80, 380\/90, 380\/100, 380\/110, 380\/120, 400\/90, 400\/100, 400\/110, 400\/120, 400\/130.<\/p>\n
In addition, Orbea\u2019s professional WorldTour riders have access to another 13 sizes, reaching all the way to 360\/170, 380\/170, and 400\/140. If you want to stretch your bike position out that much, then either improve your FTP by 200 watts or so and go pro, or maybe try asking your Orbea dealer nicely if they can make an exception for you.<\/p>\n
Orbea has designed some more well-thought out features into the package as well. The fork is physically limited by a piece of metal from rotating more than 90 degrees, meaning you can\u2019t smack the fork into the frame during a crash, or while putting the bike away in the garage. Orbea calls it Spinblock and it\u2019s a nice peace of mind that your expensive is bike slightly more protected.<\/p>\nThe Spin block prevents the fork from rotating into the frame. (Photo: Orbea\/Iv\u00e1n Arribas)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAs is to be expected for any new generation bike, it uses SRAM\u2019s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) standard, so you\u2019re covered for using the latest drivetrain tech.<\/p>\n
And finally, I\u2019d be remiss if I didn\u2019t mention that this bike looks much better aesthetically than the previous generation, at least in the humble eyes of this reviewer. Realistically, for an aero bike, that should be far down the list of considerations \u2014 but let\u2019s not kid ourselves, how a bike looks propped up against the wall at a cafe matters much much more than most would care to admit. Arguably the strangest looking part of this bike is the keel in the bottom bracket, but it\u2019s hardly noticeable, tucked away at the bottom of the frame. I\u2019ve also not been a fan of the look of aero bottle cages in the past, but these ones look all right to me, especially because they accommodate round bottles.<\/p>\n
Pricing<\/h2>\n Orbea told me they want to be a \u201cperformance to money brand.\u201d In other words, the best value aero race bike. Value is an interesting word to throw around for a bike that can cost five figures. However the world of hyper-aero bikes has become hyper-expensive in recent years, in many instances pushing past $15,000 USD.<\/p>\n
The top level trim M10i LTD and M11e LTD models, with Shimano Dura-Ace and SRAM Red respectively, and Oquo RA57 LTD wheels wth carbon spokes, cost $12,127 USD. So not exactly cheap by any means, but a comparably good deal to most competitors save Canyon.<\/p>\n
While a lot of Orbea\u2019s competitors will switch to lower tier carbon for the next level down builds, Orbea specs all its builds using the same frameset, so that\u2019s another thing to keep in mind when comparison shopping \u2014 It\u2019s the same frame, just different spec.<\/p>\n
The next tier down, the M21e LTD, drops to $8,268 for SRAM Force, followed by M20i LTD with Shimano Ultegra for $7,386 and M22 LTD with Campagnolo Record for $7,349. The lowest priced version is the M30i LTD with Shimano 105 for $6,284.<\/p>\n
Geometry<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n\n\nSize<\/span><\/td>\n 47<\/span><\/td>\n 49<\/span><\/td>\n 51<\/span><\/td>\n 53<\/span><\/td>\n 55<\/span><\/td>\n 57<\/span><\/td>\n 60<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\nSeat Tube (C-T)<\/span><\/td>\n 459<\/span><\/td>\n 474<\/span><\/td>\n 499<\/span><\/td>\n 524<\/span><\/td>\n 545<\/span><\/td>\n 565<\/span><\/td>\n 592<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nTop Tube (EFF)<\/span><\/td>\n 505<\/span><\/td>\n 518<\/span><\/td>\n 530<\/span><\/td>\n 543<\/span><\/td>\n 555<\/span><\/td>\n 571<\/span><\/td>\n 584<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nHead Tube<\/span><\/td>\n 84<\/span><\/td>\n 92<\/span><\/td>\n 107<\/span><\/td>\n 122<\/span><\/td>\n 145<\/span><\/td>\n 163<\/span><\/td>\n 190<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nChainstay<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n 408<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nBB Drop<\/span><\/td>\n 78<\/span><\/td>\n 78<\/span><\/td>\n 78<\/span><\/td>\n 78<\/span><\/td>\n 76<\/span><\/td>\n 76<\/span><\/td>\n 76<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nBB Height<\/span><\/td>\n 260\/263<\/span><\/td>\n 260\/263<\/span><\/td>\n 260\/263<\/span><\/td>\n 262\/265<\/span><\/td>\n 262\/265<\/span><\/td>\n 262\/265<\/span><\/td>\n 262\/265<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nWheelbase<\/span><\/td>\n 966<\/span><\/td>\n 971<\/span><\/td>\n 973<\/span><\/td>\n 974<\/span><\/td>\n 985<\/span><\/td>\n 995<\/span><\/td>\n 1009<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nHead Angle<\/span><\/td>\n 70.8<\/span><\/td>\n 71.3<\/span><\/td>\n 72.2<\/span><\/td>\n 72.8<\/span><\/td>\n 73<\/span><\/td>\n 73.2<\/span><\/td>\n 73.2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nSeat Angle<\/span><\/td>\n 74.5<\/span><\/td>\n 74<\/span><\/td>\n 73.7<\/span><\/td>\n 73.5<\/span><\/td>\n 73.5<\/span><\/td>\n 73.2<\/span><\/td>\n 73.2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nRake<\/span><\/td>\n 48<\/span><\/td>\n 48<\/span><\/td>\n 48<\/span><\/td>\n 43<\/span><\/td>\n 43<\/span><\/td>\n 43<\/span><\/td>\n 43<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nStandover<\/span><\/td>\n 723<\/span><\/td>\n 734<\/span><\/td>\n 754<\/span><\/td>\n 776<\/span><\/td>\n 798<\/span><\/td>\n 816<\/span><\/td>\n 842<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nReach<\/span><\/td>\n 370<\/span><\/td>\n 375<\/span><\/td>\n 380<\/span><\/td>\n 385<\/span><\/td>\n 390<\/span><\/td>\n 397<\/span><\/td>\n 404<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nStack<\/span><\/td>\n 495<\/span><\/td>\n 504<\/span><\/td>\n 520<\/span><\/td>\n 540<\/span><\/td>\n 560<\/span><\/td>\n 578<\/span><\/td>\n 604<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nFork Length<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n 368<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nTrail Length<\/span><\/td>\n 68.6<\/span><\/td>\n 65.4<\/span><\/td>\n 59.7<\/span><\/td>\n 61.2<\/span><\/td>\n 59.9<\/span><\/td>\n 58.6<\/span><\/td>\n 58.6<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRide Experience<\/h2>\n(Photo: Orbea\/Iv\u00e1n Arribas)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI had the chance to take the Orbea Orca Aero for test rides the south of Spain, near Granada, the very same training roads used by top WorldTour teams while doing altitude training in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range. This location is far from the pancake-flat terrain you might expect for testing an aero bike, but it was a perfect proving ground to showcase this bike\u2019s versatile ride quality.<\/p>\n
Alternating all day between rolling hills; flat, all-out sections of highway; medium-gradient sustained climbing; and some exhilarating descents gave the Orca Aero ample opportunity to show off.<\/p>\n(Photo: Orbea\/Iv\u00e1n Arribas)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAero bikes were once a limited option, used only on truly flat days owing to their heavy weight and low stiffness, but the Orca Aero feels like it can do it all, really only being limited on steep climbs.<\/p>\n
For a seated climber like myself, I hardly noticed that this bike is a bit heavier than a dedicated climbing bike. Would it have been nice to drop some grams when the road pitched above 5%? For sure, but for the climbs I was testing this bike on, the majority of time was spent in that 3-5% medium-grade climbing sweet spot where aero bikes still excel for riders like myself who are decently fast, but certainly don\u2019t possess a 400-watt FTP. The bike invites you to strap in and keep turning over the pedals, rewarding you with a swift climb.<\/p>\n
Descending was a fun time on the Orca Aero as well. I took it on a 30-minute drop down from the Sierra Nevada range into the Granda area and it beautifully handled both sweeping turns and tighter more technical switchbacks. The biggest test came on a section of highway, whose surface had seen better days, that was exposed to crosswinds. I had the misfortune of catching a particularly heavy gust while riding over a pothole, but the Orca Aero handled it well, maintaining course on what could have been a more harrowing moment.<\/p>\n
On flats, the Orca Aero feels like any top aero bike, holding onto speed and encouraging you to keep pushing. I can\u2019t confirm Orbea\u2019s specific aero claims, but I can say it\u2019s fast while remaining remarkably comfortable. But even still, out of the saddle, or digging deep for watts, the stiff ride quality comes through. No energy feels wasted and the handling remains precise.<\/p>\n(Photo: Orbea\/Iv\u00e1n Arribas)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nReally, the only real gripe I have with the Orca Aero is that it is a little harder to use the integrated aero downtube bottle cage than a standard cage. I also wasn\u2019t a huge fan of the stock Fizik Vento Antares saddle, but saddles are a deeply personal preference, and something that is easily remedied.<\/p>\n
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