The Orbea Oiz M-Team is the Spanish brand's cross-country race bike and has been designed to race on the gnarliest tracks.
The bike has been designed around 120mm travel from the ground up.
This design process has enabled Orbea to shape every aspect of the bike, ensuring the addition of 20mm travel doesn't compromise its weight or climbing performance, but will improve its descending capabilities.
The updated geometry and added travel are intended to make this bike more capable on technical courses with no compromises.
The added travel is something we're seeing on other modern cross-country bikes, for example the Scott Spark RC, and looks to be the way more than a few world-class racers are choosing to go.
The frame is available in three materials – an alloy frame named Hydro and two carbon frames, OMR and OMX. OMX is Orbea’s premium option, which saves about 200g from the cheaper OMR frame.
I'll be testing the premium OMX frame, the M-Team XTR model; there is an M-Team AXS available at a slightly lower price, starting at £7,699.
Aesthetically, the Oiz is a pleasure to look at. Clean lines, headset cable routing and svelte tubes make this bike extremely eye-catching.
The options to personalise the paintjob and dial in spec mean it can be customised for the individual rider.
There is no doubt the Oiz is built for speed and competitive riding. I'm looking forward to getting to grips with it and rasping it around racetracks to find out if Orbea has nailed designing a modern XC race bike.
Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR frame, suspension, specifications and details
The Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR frame features Orbea's premium OMX carbon construction, designed for exceptional responsiveness and light weight, tipping the scales at 1,740g for a medium frame, including the shock.
Designed with 120mm travel, the frame incorporates a flex stay suspension design. Notably, the flex is strategically integrated into the lower portion of the seatstays, creating a flattened area compared to the rest of the tube. The main pivot is positioned just above the chainring.
The rear shock is actuated by a FiberLink linkage, beneath the top tube. This redesigned linkage not only reduces weight compared to the previous version, but also enhances stiffness.
When it comes to suspension, the Oiz M-Team is kitted out with a Fox Factory shock and fork. A Float DPS takes care of the squish out back and up front is a 120mm Step-Cast 34 fork, both with remote lockout.
Fox also provides the Transfer SL Factory Kashima dropper seatpost and a Selle Italia SLR Boost saddle sits on top.
The Orbea Squidlock lever governs the remote lockouts and dropper, providing convenient on-bar control. Riders can flick between the shock’s three damping positions (Open, Medium, Firm) and the fork's two damping positions (Open, Firm). In the middle position, the fork remains in the Open mode.
Additionally, the Squidlock lever incorporates a vertically mounted dropper lever for seamless integration.
The bike sits on Orbea’s own Oquo MP30LTD wheels, with 30mm-wide carbon rims, DT Swiss hubs and Sapim spokes.
The tyres are from the Maxxis range – a Rekon 2.4 on the rear and the burlier Dissector 2.4 on the front. These differ from Orbea’s stock bikes, where there is a choice of Maxxis Rekon Race or Schwalbe Wicked Will.
The test bike I received is equipped with a complete Shimano XTR groupset. Power is delivered through a 10-51t cassette and a 34t crank (compatible up to a 38t chainring), while Shimano's two-piston XTR brakes, featuring 180mm (front) and 160mm (rear) rotors, ensure effective stopping power.
As is becoming commonplace, the Oiz has headset cable routing, something most mechanics hate to see, myself included.
Orbea does this through its own in-house designed headset. According to the company, this design improves the aesthetics by providing a cleaner look and reduces steering resistance by minimising cable flex when turning the handlebar.
The cockpit features Orbea’s OC carbon handlebar (800mm) and a 40mm stem. My bike came with the low-stack headset cup, which enables you to slam the stem as low as possible for an aggressive race position.
A small chain guide, frame protection, two bottle cage mounts and Garmin mount complete the bike.
When buying the Oiz, you can choose additional specs such as tyres, a shorter bar, shorter stem, saddles and a different-length dropper.
The bike is also part of Orbea's MyO program, enabling customisation of paint panels and logos, with various colour options at no extra cost, though it may slightly delay shipping.
Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR geometry
Orbea has given the Oiz a geometry makeover in its latest version, with the updated figures bringing the Oiz more in sync with modern XC race bikes.
Notably, my large-sized bike boasts a reach of 472mm – a 16mm increase compared to its predecessor.
Additionally, there's a 2-degree reduction in the head angle. This lengthened front end and the more relaxed head angle should contribute to more control and confidence to push the speed on technical descents.
The seat angle sees an increase of approximately 1.5 degrees, aimed at maintaining optimal body-weight distribution during climbs, with your hips ideally positioned over the pedals.
Moreover, a chainstay length of 432mm ought to ensure the bike remains agile and responds well to power, which will be an advantage on the racetrack.
Although these adjustments may not crown it as the most radical XC bike design we've seen in recent years, it's clear Orbea intends the Oiz for modern XC race tracks.
| | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat angle (degrees) | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 432 | 432 | 432 | 432 |
| Seat tube (mm) | 405 | 432 | 460 | 510 |
| Top tube (mm) | 575 | 598 | 623 | 650 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1138 | 1163 | 1189 | 1219 |
| Standover (mm) | 731 | 741 | 741 | 750 |
| Stack (mm) | 596 | 596 | 606 | 619 |
| Reach (mm) | 425 | 450 | 472 | 496 |
Why did I choose this bike?
My riding focus has changed over the last year and after dabbling in a few cross-country (XC) races in 2023, I was keen to get hold of an XC bike that I could put to the test for a whole season of racing here and abroad.
Opting for 120mm travel was important to me, not just because I like the extra squish for my confidence but also to make the bike more versatile. I don’t just plan to ride this bike between the tape.
My first race with the Oiz was the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º, a 190km (118-mile) three-stage mountain bike race around the coast of Menorca, after which I was sold on the capabilities of the bike. It made the climbs effortless and gave me loads of confidence on chunky descents.
Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR initial setup
For the most part, setting up the Oiz was hassle-free.
I set the suspension to my preferred 20 per cent sag on the fork and 30 per cent on the shock. Pressure-wise, I run 65psi up front and 120psi in the rear.
I have the rebound set 10 clicks from closed on the fork and nine clicks from closed on the shock. I will be playing around with these settings depending on conditions, terrain and as my riding develops.
I run tyre pressures of around 22psi in the front and 24psi in the rear; this seems to be working for my 68kg weight.
As a newbie to clipless pedals, I've chucked on Shimano’s SPD Trail pedals. I like the confidence having a platform gives me and find Shimano's the easiest pedals to release from.
I had some issues getting the controls set up to my liking. I've suffered from a few hand injuries in my time and always find getting the levers in the right place for my comfort on the tricky side. The three-in-one Squidlock lever didn’t help with dialling in the placements.
It took some time and some miles under my belt, but I seem to have found the sweet spot on lever configuration, with maybe a little compromise.
Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR ride impressions
My first experience with the Oiz was during the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º, a Menorcan stage race I tackled alongside senior technical editor, Tom Marvin.
This event provided an immediate test of the bike's capabilities in its intended environment.
The Oiz showcased its prowess on the challenging terrain of the Menorcan coastline. With gnarly descents featuring large rocks and spicy drop-offs, along with exposed lines on loose, dry trails, the Oiz navigated it all with unwavering confidence.
The 67-degree head angle played a crucial role, providing me with the control and assurance needed to push the limits at speed and stay on Tom’s wheel.
The trail-focused Maxxis Dissector tyre on the front end added to my confidence, enabling me to push my speed, while delivering inspiring grip on the dry corners.
Throughout the ride, I never felt overwhelmed, and the additional 20mm of suspension proved invaluable, smoothing out some of my less precise manoeuvres. More than once, the Oiz bailed me out of tricky situations.
I love a good climb and the Oiz did not disappoint here. The steep seat angle played a pivotal role in maintaining a centred body weight, enabling me to effortlessly generate power through the pedals.
As soon as I got a whiff of a wheel spin, the lengthy front end proved to be a saviour, with ample room to move forward and back to maintain traction and keep on rolling.
The bike's agility and responsiveness were standout features for me. It accelerates well and handles tight trails with ease, with very responsive handling – traits that will prove valuable on the racetrack.
However, there were instances when I found the rear end to be a tad too manoeuvrable, especially when exerting force on the pedals in rough terrain.
At times, the back end felt slightly skittish, lacking the planted feel I would have liked.
On technical climbs, the suspension worked well. The Medium mode delivered excellent traction while still offering a solid platform for cranking hard and maintaining forward momentum.
The agility of the bike made it easy to get up rocky steps. It was a joy to smash out technical climbs and satisfying to conquer lines I previously would’ve faltered on.
Initially, I didn’t have an issue with the low-stack headset. I liked the aggressive position it put me in, which made me attack the terrain.
However, during longer rides of five hours or more, I found the position too aggressive to sustain. To enhance comfort, I plan to raise the handlebar.
Regarding the Squidlock setup, the lockout levers function well, and I found them intuitive.
The vertically mounted dropper lever posed a minor issue, requiring me to release my grip to actuate it and exerting some force to drop.
While not a major concern during regular rides, it could be frustrating during fatigue at the end of a long day or when racing.
Another challenge surfaced with the fork lockout, becoming unreliable after a couple of months and eventually ceasing to actuate.
Though it hasn't significantly affected the ride feel yet, it may pose problems during sprint starts and bursts of power in race season.
I plan to address this issue promptly and report back my findings.
Despite these issues, the Oiz has consistently impressed me, always bringing a smile when I ride this exceptional bike.
I eagerly anticipate its performance in the upcoming XC race season and other adventures planned for 2024.
Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR upgrades
Having ridden the Oiz for a couple months, I have made some changes and have a few more up my sleeve. These are not so much upgrades but rather setup tweaks and personal preferences.
The first thing I changed was the grips. While I didn’t hate the ESI push-on grips, I suffered from hand fatigue on long rides, so I'm giving the Ergon GA3 grips a go.
I'm hoping the small wing will provide comfort for the long rides and marathon races I have planned.
On the note of hand pain, I will be doing away with the low-stack headset cup to enable me to raise the stem and bar a bit. I am not quite conditioned for such an aggressive position.
Throughout the season, I will be switching tyres to suit racecourses and conditions – it’s all about the small gains. This will be a good chance to try out various XC tyres and report back on their credentials.
BikeRadar‘s long-term test bikes
BikeRadar's long-term test bikes give our team the opportunity to truly get to grips with these machines, so we can tell you how they perform through different seasons and on ever-changing terrain, through a year of riding.
Some choose a bike from their favoured discipline and ride it hard for a year, others opt for a bike that takes them outside of their comfort zone.
We also use our long-term bikes as test beds for the latest kit, chopping and changing parts to see what really makes the difference – and help you decide which upgrades are worth spending your money on.
These bikes also provide an insight into the team's riding through the year – how they like to ride and where life on two wheels takes them, from group rides on local lanes and trails, to adventures further afield.
To see all of the BikeRadar team’s long-term test bikes – and to stay up-to-date with the latest updates – visit our long-term review hub.
Product
| Brand | orbea |
| Price | 12999.00 AUD,7999.00 EUR,8399.00 GBP,8599.00 USD |
| Weight | 9.9500, KILOGRAM (L) - without pedals |
Features
| Fork | Fox 34 Float SC Factory 120 FIT4 |
| br_stem | OC Mountain Performance MC10 Alu |
| br_frame | OMX Carbon |
| Tyres | Maxxis Dissector 2.40”(f) and Maxxis Rekon 2.40" (r) |
| br_brakes | Shimano XTR M9100 Hydraulic Disc |
| br_cranks | Shimano XTR M9120 34t |
| br_saddle | Selle Italia SLR Boost Fill Titanium Rail 316 |
| br_wheels | Oquo Mountain Performance MP30TEAM Carbon/ DT Swiss 350 hubs |
| br_shifter | Shimano XTR M9100 |
| br_seatpost | Fox Transfer SL Factory Kashima Dropper 31.6 |
| br_handlebar | OC Carbon Handlebar MC10 |
| br_rearShock | Fox Float DPS Factory 120mm Remote Push-lock |
| br_availableSizes | S, M, L, XL |
| br_rearDerailleur | Shimano XTR M9100 SGS Shadow Plus |
| Features | Remote Lockout: OC Squidlock MP20 Remote, Dropper, Suspension 3 Pos |
